x race horses can they be retrained easily?

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sallymoon

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Im considering buying a 2 1/2 year old ex racer (filly) who didnt have an apptitude for racing, she is a lovely filly, great conformation and paces, I plan to leave any riding for another year to allow her to mature. I would like to know what experiences people have had bringing on an ex racehorse and what they eventually have done with their TBs.

I am experienced with horses including youngsters and hold AI qualifications and level 4 BHS so am looking for more indepth advice if possible please.
 
I've got two - both straight from racing. However I bought them after their cool-down turnout period, so I didn't have to do that. My only advice first of all would be to turn it away for a good period of time - preferably 12 months seeing as the one you are thinking about is so young. Then just do as you would with any other horse. Bring on slowly and gently. They are more intelligent and can be sharper than other breeds, but they are fantastic. I only consider myself a novice (ie my head isn't up my ********), but I would not have any other breed. Good luck!
 
Thank you for advice, I will turn away for around 12 months but she is going to be on a yard so will have a daily routine but nothing taxing for her.

I would like advice from novices and experienced owners as everyone has different experiences.

I mentioned my experience so people wouldnt think I was a numpty getting my first horse.
 
We've had a few ex racers. A major factor that comes into the retraining is how they were broken in the first place.

My OH (complete novice) bought an ex racer i had for sale. Scout came pretty much straight from a trainers, had time off and was always an easy horse, except for getting excitable in company. He was just unbalanced and in need of basic schooling, but uncomplicated and really taught OH to ride properly from the start as they taught each other under my supervision (am also BHS qualified).

At 2 1/2 i doubt your filly should be too awkward as she will have had little racing/training drilled into her, whereas in an older horse it can be harder to get them out of the racing mentality.
 
It competely depends on the horse, some are easier to retrain than others. The age of the filly should be an advantage as at that age she won't have been racing for too long. I would do plenty of getting to know her, ground work in the year you have her, before you ride her.

I love ex racers, they are so rewarding. Both exracers I have retrained have gone on to event. 1 i took to CCI* level, and the other is off to the Grassroots Champs at Badminton in April.
 
I bought an ex racer - most rewarding horse I have ever had. Skin and bone when I got him, terrible teeth and feet. Unbalanced and liked to run backwards as fast as others went forwards when initially out in company (if in a field) but with routine, consistent work, patience and a good instructor with regular lessons I evented and BSJA'd him, I sold him on to a junior who is now at Novice Level eventing on him and is successful in the tetrathalon circuit up here with him.

He definately preferred routine and I think that was linked to his racing regime, could get stressy at new situations but that subsided as we built our relationship. Like I said, most rewarding horse I have ever owned and would neer have sold him if I hadn't been going back to uni to complete a post grad x
 
As previously said it really does depend on the horse!! We got a 4yr ex racer which had been turned away for a couple of months and he was a stubborn bugger to start with! He wouldnt stand to be mounted, napped at any gate he could find, napped when hacking alone or in company, bucked and was hopeless in the school couldnt even canter on the right leg!! But he improved imensly and was a completely different horse from what i bought although the napping alone on hacks was never completely cured! He was the best perchase i ever made and he taught me a hell of alot :)
 
I brought a ex racehorse and had a lot of problems with napping when ridden out on her own, eventually with lots of patience and having my other half walk out with me when hacking she came good, i also found that many EX Racers have stable vices mine in particular used to stand at the back of the stable and rock against the wall and wouldn't let you go near her after she had been ridden. She had manners to die for outside of the stable and in heavy traffic.
It took her nearly 2 years for her to trust me, but in the end I took her out to lots of competitions and she loved it and we both had a great time! I don't regret buying her it took so much patience and hardwork but it has been worth it and she is now on out on loan to somebody who loves her as much as me.
 
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