Looking into buying a OTTB?

What was it that led the vet to this conclusion? Did he actually do flex tests and x-rays, or did he say so simply because the mare raced for a long stint?

There seems to be this stigma that because a horse races, it is unsound. I know of a LOT of OTTBs that retired sound from the track and remained sound well into their 20's... in fact, I've got one in my barn right now. Raced for 6 years, jumped around for 8-9 more. He's 28 now, and retired, but sound (just creaky).

Unless you've got pictures that prove there is some sort of problem, I would get a second opinion. I would have a flex test done, and I would get x-rays of all four feet, and then maybe the knees and hocks depending on how she's moving. I would also *consider* having an x-ray done at an angle to see the pedal bone.

Actually, she could be dirt cheap even if she'd raced for a while. If she wasn't good enough for stud, she'd have been retired from racing- which is exactly what seems to have happened. Also, the longer they have raced, the less valuable they are as riding horses. She could have raced for a long time- doesn't necessarily mean she was any good!! So basically, don't question how long she raced for based on value. If anything was being swindled, you'd be told she hadn't raced for long!!

I would say that if a vet has said she shouldn't jump, there's a reason. A lot of OTTBs have major medical issues, and for her to have raced probably from when she was 2 until she was 8, she's probably at a high risk of arthritis (or already has it) or some other joint weakness, hence why she shouldn't jump.

If you want to jump, I don't think this mare is for you. You'd need an OTTB that had raced much less, up to a maximum of 2 (maybe 3) years. Even then, it depends on the individual horse.

Sadly, I don't think this horse will be for you. She'd probably be better off in a home that only did dressage or trails. Unless of course you can afford to have her for trails etc and another horse to jump, but it is simply not fair to ask this mare to jump- her joints won't be able to take the strain.

The longer a horse is raced, the less the horse is worth when retired from racing. This is because racing is extremely hard on the joints, cartilage, bones, tendons, and ligaments in all four limbs and the longer the stress of racing continues, the more likely it is that repeated damage has been done to these structures. In addition to that, it can be more of a challenge to retrain a horse after so many years of racing, and certain health issues related to the management of thoroughbred race horses, such as gastric ulcers or hoof problems, are more likely to have become chronic and debilitating

The only way to determine this horse's prognosis for future athletic capability with any kind of certainty is by having a thorough veterinary evaluation performed, ideally including evaluation by a board certified equine orthopedic specialist. At minimum, I'd want both xrays and digital ultrasound exams performed. If equine MRI is available, and you can afford it, that would provide the most definitive diagnosis.

There is no way I would personally plan to jump this horse without being given the "go ahead" from a qualified equine specialist veterinarian, (preferably an equine orthopedic surgeon/sports medicine specialist).

I own a seven year old OTTB who was not raced long enough to do any damage, and I show jump with him. He was purchased to be an eventer, so I might explore that with him- I don't know.

Anyway, I would get a couple opinions from different vets before I purchased her. However, don't go with the answer you want to hear- go with the majority of answers.

Don't force the mare to jump if she isn't sound. That will only destroy her chances of becoming any sort of riding horse, much less a jumping horse.

Anyway, before you get any OTTB, you should know the majority of them have racehorse like tendencies. Loud noises often get them to start galloping wildly- it reminds them of a starting gun. They can either always be tugging and trying to go, go, go- or they can refuse to go faster than a trot or slow canter. When mounted and a gate is open, OTTBs often rush it, like a starting gate.

All horses are different, but OTTBs almost always have their own issues. You'll have to be really dedicated to working through that if you get this mare, or another OTTB.

Eight years is a VERY long time for a horse to be on the track. Racing has a lot of wear and tear on the legs and joints. It is very hard on the horse's body. If the vet says she shouldn't jump, don't jump her. If you want a second opinion, go to another vet. But I'm sure they will tell you the same thing.

well first of all he is going to need to be trained on actual ridding not racing so that's gonna take some work and i see nothing wrong with a 2nd opinion. always good to get advice from someone you trust. Don't expect much different though. I'v seen a lot of of the tracks who can't jump or can only do small ones. gl.