Thoroughbred I want is still racing..?

Question

I'm about to buy a horse and I've had my eye on this TB gelding for a while now. He's 6 yrs old, completely sound, and "Awesome to ride with super natural athletic ability." But, I was looking up his stats and he's had 31 starts, only won 1 race and usually gets 5th place or lower. Yet, he just raced 2 days ago. I asked (on a pic of him on facebook) how he was under saddle. She said, "Good! Happy, forward, but not stupid, fun, willing, total pleaser!" I've learned to never trust what anybody says in this horse industry but, this place is like a rescue or place where they find new homes for racing (or ex-racing) TB's & QH's. I love this guy's sleek look, kind (and large) eyes, and big ears. He's out of Woodman, and that stallion is known to make great jumpers. Which is good, because I want to do eventing. But I'm working on dressage right now (for 1 more year), then I'm starting show jumping after that, and in a few years I may progress to eventing. I'm an intermediate rider with a very good trainer. With my budget (no, I'm not poor), it's nearly impossible to find what I need. Horses where I live, and what I'm looking for are very expensive. I'll have to get either a green or very old horse. And my trainer (and myself) vote for green just because I will have this horse a while, we can train it how I want (easier than an older horse), etc. I really would love to have this guy. But I just want to know what to expect with an (apparently) racing, yet good under saddle, TB gelding. He's been a gelding for a while (I think he was gelded as a yearling) so he's not studdish. I can handle spookiness, a few bucks, etc. I know it all depends on the horse but in general, and in your experience, how is it? There's a video of him trotting, here it is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gv-gZTbJJg
He throws his head a bit but then looks to calm down a lot. No tail swishing, no pinned ears. Looks quite sweet in my eyes. Opinions? NO rude comments. Honesty and opinions are fine but blatant rudeness is unnecessary. Thank you!

Fiodiav4 · Accepted Answer

http://trainingottbs.com/training-ottbs/training-notes/

http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/ottb-teach-aids.aspx

These are a couple site that give you info about retraining ottb's. I found them when I was looking for information about my ottb, I didn't find tons useful in the second article but my mare was unraced and it seems to be geared towards ones that were. Off course mine has been out of that environment for 3+ years.

Hope this helps

Kayla · Answer

This really isn't going to answer your question. And I'm not sure where you live or anything like that. But you should take a look at New Voccations. They rescue off the track TBs and Standardbreds. They put training into them, find out what they are good at, and evaluate temperament and what their limitations they have (if any). Their prices are very fair and they have some gorgeous horses. That way you don't have to deal with the having to do the retraining completely, they will be sane, and you dont have to possibly find out the horse has issues. You do however have to fill out an application, get approved, and live in certain regions in the U.S.

Just a suggestion seeing as you are on a budget, and want a OTTB. :)

Just a suggestion seeing as you are on a budget, and want a OTTB.  :)

sheedalaadie · Answer

One thing you need to understand is that one persons, good, happy, total pleaser, can be another persons bad, miserable, total nightmare.  Dont expect a horse who just raced two days ago to behave like a lesson horse, or any other horse who hasn't been started as a riding horse. He is not a riding horse. He is a racehorse, even though he's a losing racehorse. Even if he has had a little schooling done, you will still be starting with a pretty blank slate. Him not being very good at it is kind of a good thing. If I were looking for an off track horse I would be looking for one that races each and every week, has a boatload of starts under its belt with no long layoffs or history of scratches, but gets its butt whipped almost every week. Those horses make crap racehorses, but soundness is rarely an issue because their heart isn't into racing enough to hurt themselves for it. I would never buy a winning racehorse. They're always one wrong step away from retirement because they will bust their leg off to win. I hope that made sense.

? · Answer

Fresh OTTB's are a lot to work with.
That said he is a nice looking horse but it is  hard to judge his character from the clip!!

It does concern me that she says he goes well under saddle but still races?
The only thing you can do is go and see him with someone that has great experience in this area.
You did say you have a couple of years to work with him.  If you like him go and take a look.  Not all OTTB's are rough...I would take a llok myself!

I had an OTTB that was a handful the first year but now many years later is a childrens horse.  She had a wonderful character but unfortunately was abused and those scars both inside and out came with her.

n · Answer

He will be very green and spookish. I made a mistake today by taking my green horse near an area where they shoot off guns in the desert and he bolted I stayed on until he jumped over a bush and now I'm baring a very good scrapping on the inside of my right leg. So if you want him go see him and ask to lease him out for a while

Lilian · Answer

I certainly would not go see or entertain going to see a horse with only a short clip like that.   he appears to be a beautiful horse, kind of long in the back but just very pretty.   One could not see much by the Pict.   I do hope if you are serious about him that you see him ridden and also ride him.

Finley · Answer

be sure to get a complete vet check, including X rays

Jackie · Answer

I wouldn't jump with that horse.

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Thoroughbred I want is still racing..?

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