Cross Breeds

What are some of the pros and cons of buying a retired race-horse?

We have an old horse, and are looking for another. I am currently taking english riding lessons, and also would like to know if the thoroubreds are good for enlgish dressage. Thanks for your help.

Public Comments

1. i would think that a retired racehorse wouldn't be good for english dressage. It would be too much for the old boys joints.
2. The second horse I learned dressage on was a thoroughbred cross ex-racer, we would look at her tattoo for fun (dorks). She was trained beautifully. She was extremely easy to ride-practically push button-unless she was in heat or you had too much leg on her....She was of course very sensitive and high-strung.... Ex-racehorses can have joint problems, fears of whips (that horse was) and other things like that. They'll favour the leg they used to race on and speed up if you dont ride correctly. An ex-racer can be a blessing and a curse but excellent if your a gentle rider and your horse is re-trained properly.
3. Some of the problems are that they can have serious helth problems other wise they would not be for sail when they are retired and also they may not be properly trained
4. depending on how old they are and how well they listen you should get one and do gymkhana on it
5. I do know that old race horses can be difficult to train, but if you get one make sure that you have your vet come out to look at it before you buy it to ensure that it has good joints and is all around healthy. They can do dressage just fine with the proper amount of training and time spent working with them. I will warn you however that some race horses i have come accross were the hardest things in the world to train. Most of these horses are great animals and really do not have many cons as long as you know what to look for in a horse, make sure that you don't bite off more then you can chew though. GOOD LUCK!!!
6. Pros They are Athletic, they are fast, you are saving it from something else. Cons They have spent their lives going fast, now you want it to go slow, re training takes up to 2 years or more! They cannot go to a show near a track, they freak out (Been there) They are usually bad for trailering They can be very very skitish You need to watch out for their bones, some young horses have not been given a chance to develope, when I but them I put them to pasture for about a year. These horses were bred to race, they will have weaker legs than say a hano. There is no such thing as a Thoroughbred cross ex racer as they have to be pure to race, but I too learned on an ex racer. They can be great horses when patience is applied. I use them to hunt, jump, and dressage, and I know they are good cross country horses too.