Why have an Ex-racehorse ?

There are several reasons why non-racing people have ex-racehorses, including:

They didn’t know it was an ex-racer when they bought it – it was described as a hunter/jumper/happy hacker etc.

They wanted a Thoroughbred mare to breed a foal from (only recommended for long-term investors with a deep gambler’s streak.)

They saw a thin, nervous horse at a sale and felt sorry for it. ( Later may feel sorry for themselves.)

They saw it as a way of getting a decent horse on the cheap .(Big mistake. Huge.)

They have a crush on the vet and want a good excuse for numerous visits

They enjoy challenges, falling off, and recounting hair-raising tales in the bar.

Not all horse-lovers are suited to ex-racehorses, and vice versa. Ex-racers have got themselves a reputation for being ‘difficult’ – and they very often are. But, in the right hands, they can become the most wonderful, responsive and rewarding horses. And ‘the right hands’ could very easily be yours, if you are prepared to be patient, to learn, and to give these amazing creatures a chance.

They do have a lot going for them, from the outset. They have speed, stamina, high intelligence and sensitivity, courage and willingness, versatility in both aptitude and performance, good, strong, dense bone, and elegant conformation – all desirable qualities in a riding horse. And, ex-racers come in a variety of types and sizes, from 15-hand ladies’ hacks to hulking 18-hand steeplechasers that could ‘jump a house and race a train’. So, if you are seeking a high-hearted, do-anything riding horse, you could easily find an ex-racer to suit you.

In addition, horses that have been in race-training yards usually have excellent stable-manners, - good to groom, lead, bath and plait etc. They tend to stand quietly for the farrier whilst being shod, load and unload easily from transport, and to be good in traffic ( at least when ridden out in company.) Any racehorses that do not fit these traits will have real issues to be dealt with ! (Professional trainers and stable staff do not have time, or inclination, to go pussyfooting around naughty horses. A racer has to be a real star to get away with misbehaviour. Generally, obedience is required.)

Of course they have weaknesses. Thoroughbreds - especially racehorses – can be highly-strung to the point of neurosis. They are notorious for having weak, crumbly feet. They are not hardy, being thin-skinned and fine-coated. They have small mouths and need careful bitting.

The racehorse – especially for flat-racing - will have been broken and worked at a far younger age ( 2 or 3 years) than most other horses. So, he may well have problems related to both physical and mental immaturity. Also, he is likely to have been trained in quite large, business-focused establishments – so he may be institutionalised, very reliant on routine, and not used to being petted.

He will have been broken in quickly, and given none of the patient flatwork schooling that a private pleasure or sport horse could expect. Consequently, he is likely to have an ‘un-made’, unresponsive mouth, and will interpret any pressure on the reins as a signal to go faster, not slow down. He may be unused to riding out alone, and become anxious if asked to do so. And he may never have met other horses coming towards him. Riding out with his companions, though, he will either want to lead or follow the string - whatever you yourself may have in mind. If he had any bad experiences racing, he may become a nervous wreck when anything reminds him of the racecourse. And if he enjoyed his racing ( which many do) , such reminders will urge him to give it another go - which may not be in your plan ! Then you may experience the infamous ex-racer repertoire of bucks, spins, bounces and rears.

A racehorse is not often left tied up - so do not try leaving your ex-racer tied to a ring or trailer until you've practiced this safely a lot ! And racehorses are not trained to stand still - even when being mounted ( jockeys are legged-up into the saddle). Your ex-racer is only used to going forward, and simply will not see the point of keeping still. The commands 'halt' and 'stand' are not in his vocabulary. Neither will he understand about going round in 20 metre circles - a ridiculous and frustrating notion, in his mind. On the other hand, he will be used to running round a large circular racetrack - usually left-handed - so he is likely to be one-sided in his mouth and body muscles, and these will need gradual remedial work. In addition, he will only have been ridden with stirrups at jockey-length ( even during training) so he may well feel uncertain and uncomfortable when he first feels a rider's legs stretching down his sides.

And yet …all of this negative stuff can be overcome with patience and careful management. A few weeks chilling out in a meadow, followed by sympathetic re-training, can work calming wonders. Poor feet can be strengthened by remedial diet, careful farriery and, if possible, a few months going barefoot. And even a delicate TB can, over a period of time for acclimatisation, become hardy – and hairy! – enough to winter out.

Once persuaded to stop being a racehorse ( though he will never entirely forget !) the ex-racer can shine in any discipline – showjumping, eventing, dressage, endurance riding, hunting, showing, even sidesaddle and western riding. Some ex-racehorses, due to their exceptional sensitivity and intelligence, can actually make wonderful therapy and assistance horses. They are increasingly being used in programmes of physical and mental therapy, training for confidence building and communication skills, and even in the rehabilitation of inmate offenders in prisons.

Many more, like mine, become pure pets, ‘happy hackers’ and occasional special-outing horses, loved and cherished by doting owners who recognise and value a very special, hard-won and mutually sustaining bond.

Why have an ex-racehorse ? Why on earth not ?!