Are Thourobreds (retired racer) bad for a beginner rider?

Question

I had been taking riding lessons for about 4 months, and my family might be getting a thourobred, (retired race horse), and was wondering if i would have trouble riding it. If it helps i am 16 and i would like to do dressage on the horse. Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

No, not necessarily. A younger thoroughbred is naturally going to be a more lively horse than an older quarter horse, but that doesn't mean that all thoroughbreds are crazy. Every breed has a range of horses. A TB isn't going to hurt you just because it's a TB, and a QH isn't going to be a safe wonderful animal just because it's a QH.

I learned on a wonderful little Arabian... she was this sweet little mare who just went along and did what you asked no matter what... and a lot of Arabians are wild and energetic.

What matters is how much training the horse has. You can find a wonderfully well behaved racehorse and get along fine with it in its stall and everything, but you can't just get on and walk and trot because all it knows is racing. So before you have that type of horse, you should be a little more experienced. But if the horse has some experience with ordinary flatting (walk trot canter), he'd probably be safe for an inexperienced rider.

Getting a young TB ex-racer for a small child is not such a good idea because both the horse and rider are going to be less experienced and probably very inattentive. You, being a fully grown teenager, have the necessary qualities to control a TB... you'll pay attention when you're on and around the horse, you'll be strong enough to stop the horse, and you have legs long enough to make it go where you want it to go... and you'll be able to make the horse do more things as you become more experienced.

About riding him dressage... getting on an ex-racer and walk, trot, and cantering around is going to be easier than doing fancy dressage techniques. The horse knows how to walk and he'll understand when you ask him to do it... but while horses physically can do fancy maneuvers like extending the trot, bending, moving off of your leg, he might not understand when you ask him because he's never done it before. That's not necessarily a good or bad thing... if you're looking for a horse to teach you dressage, it's bad. but if you're looking for a horse that you can learn and grow with, it's good. but you'll need a trainer... someone who can give you lessons to teach you what to do to ask your horse to do something, and also can get on the horse and teach it to do that thing when you ask for it. It might be a good thing to get an ex-racer and progress together because he might be more willing to learn than an older horse who has done something else his whole life. I think it would be really gratifying to be learning along with your horse because when you finally get something exactly right, you're both going to be really happy.

Here's what I would do... go take a look at the horse: see what he already can do. If he already knows some dressage, that's great. If not, and if you're willing to take on the venture, get a trainer and take them to see the horse. Have that person get on and ask the horse to start doing some dressage. That person will be able to advise you on whether or not this horse would be good for you... that person will know whether the horse is receptive to learning and if you'll be able to handle the animal. If things go well for the trainer, get on the horse yourself and walk and trot (and canter if he's safe and your brave... if things haven't gone so well, wait a few more riding sessions to canter: until he's (and you're) ready).

So it depends completely on the horse. Don't buy him just because he's pretty and you want a horse. Check him out first... see what he knows how to do and what his temperament is like. If he's well behaved, has some experience with what you want him to do, and you get along well together, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a beginner rider with a TB.

And another thing... if you decide not to get this young TB, don't get a young QH just because it's a QH and they're supposed to be calmer than a TB... the issue with the younger horse is the age and training, not the breed. Obviously, a young horse that hasn't been ridden much (or has, but in a different style of riding (racing instead of pleasure)) just doesn't understand what you want. The young ones of all breeds are probably a little more high strung and less behaved than the older horses of their breed... it's just like little kids... as you get older you become less energetic, more attentive, and less opposed to doing what you're asked (horses can be like the little kid stamping his foot yelling "no" when mommy tells him to do something (except more dangerous given their size: a small child can't break your bones like a horse can)). If you decide not to get this TB, it doesn't mean that you can't get a different TB. Find a horse that's safe, trained, and one that you get along with well. That'll be the best horse for you: regardless of the breed.



Sorry, but I don't understand what is so wrong about my answer... could someone explain why I'm getting thumbs down votes? I didn't tell her to go get a thoroughbred racehorse and get hurt... I told her to check out the horse and if it's the right one, then get it. You can't judge a horse by its breed. Each individual horse is different. If it has some training and she's a strong enough rider with the drive to stick with this horse and learn with it and has someone to help her with it so she doesn't get hurt, what is so wrong about telling her to get the horse? The best teacher I ever had was a TB... whenever I tried something new with her, she perked up and concentrated and worked until she got it. And I had little kids rider her for lessons, so I know she'd be wonderful for this girl asking the question. So I don't think I should categorically tell her not to get a TB.

Answer 2

If you're talking about getting a horse that has just come off the track, the horse is most like not suitable for someone who has been riding for four months. When a horse comes off the track, he must be retrained by an experienced rider, since running on the track is much different from riding a dressage test. Someone who has only been riding for four months will not have developed the skills necessary to re-train a racehorse yet. Trying to get on too difficult of a horse too early in your riding can lead to loss of confidence and fear of riding, rather than the confidence you want to be developing.

If the horse is older, has been off the track for quite a while, and has been re-trained, then it is possible that he could be suitable for a newer rider. The best way to figure out if a horse is going to be suitable for you as a newer rider is to have your trainer or instructor look at the horse, ride the horse, and watch you ride the horse. An experienced trainer will be able to judge both your skill level and the level of rider a horse needs and then advise you as to whether or not the horse is appropriate for you. Good luck!

Answer 3

getting your uncle to "ride her a bit" isn't going to train YOU. No. It's a terrible idea to put a beginner with a green horse. If you get this horse, then be realistic....put her in FULL TIME TRAINING (5 days a week) with a trainer and during one of those days, you also get training from the trainer (riding lessons). That would be ok.... Anything less...is asking for trouble. People have this idea about growing with the horse. Well, it doesn't work that way. A green horse is a horse that must have an experienced rider "hold his hand" in everything. The horse will get nervous and frustrated EASILY....and therefore, handled by the right person, will learn and grow and become calm and good for a beginner (after YEARS) A beginner makes tons of mistakes and loses confidence easily. You will cause problems. That's a fact. I see this all the time. A beginner rider should be with a horse that is self-confident, one who is ok and forgives mistakes. That is how YOU learn. Then after a few years of riding/lessons, you might team up with a trainer and get a different horse. 3.5 is also too young to really do much with. The horse will keep growing and maturing til the age of 5.

Answer 4

Thorobreds tend to be pretty nice dressage horses, though, like with any horse, get the owner to demonstrate riding the horse for you, then ask if you can ride it. If it is nice for both of you, get a vet to check it. Have the vet do some X-rays and blood tests, to test for any drugs the owner may have given it to calm it down. Show up about 20 mins early for your appointment with the person too. Sure, they might be a little annoyed, but they'll get over it. This way, if the person is shady, you won't give them time to ride the horse to exhaustion before you come or drug it. I think a retired racer will probably be fine, as long as you like the horse. Be aware that they will probably be very energetic though, so make sure you can handle a horse with energy. Other than that, if you can ride them right, go for it!

Answer 5

All of the retired race horses that I have worked with have had no ground manners, and needed complete retraining. They may be cheap ( a friend bought one for $5 at a local sale!!) but you will end up spending much more at the hospital. Many of hte young riders I have had buy racehorses always have problems with the horse running off with them, these horses are trained so that when the jockey puts more pressure on the bit the horse speeds up. The big problem is that most of the horses the beginers have ridden have been trained to do the opposite and stop at more bit pressure. For a first time horse I reccomend an older horse that has had a lot of experence with begginers. You should try this website... www.dreamhorse.com they have many nice horses on there. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 6

It all depends on how well trained the horse is after retiring from racing, and what his personality is!

If he was retrained to ride English and has had a few years of training, he should be fine, unless he is really wild and spooks easily. Don't get on a spooky horse unless you are a confident, more experienced rider as it can be very dangerous.

But like I said, it all depends on his personality and how much training he has had. If he is fresh off the track, I would not recommend you ride him, or even handle him alone.

If he has been retrained and is calm, I would start on a lunge line until you are comfortable with him/her and his gaits.

Good luck! My dream horse is a 17+ hand bay Thoroughbred gelding who can jump and do dressage.

Answer 7

In 98% of cases, the answer is Yes, they are very bad for beginners. They are nearly always 'goey' very set in their routines, ie going out once a day for exercise, always involving a canter or gallop, and wanting to go fast in the company of other horses. In particular, they always want to be in the lead, and jigjog, pull on the reins and otherwise play up when they cant. This can be for mile and miles, they are very energetic! Dont confuse the gentle easy-going horse on the ground with the horse it is when you ride it. They are nearly always extremely active and often temperamental to ride in certain situations. Usually great with floating, traffic, handling etc because they've been exposed to so much in their racing days. I've had two and known many and I would not ever put a beginner on a Thoroughbred off the track. Might be quiet to ride in a yard or small paddock, but very different in company or wide open spaces. Maybe later when you have been riding constantly for a few years. Better to stay safe! Good Luck finding a nice quiet, not young, horse.

Answer 8

The important feature is the horse will be at home. The race
problem horses are very easy to tame also, that is by taking
them running within a sensible fullsize field. The area has to
be free of holes. Ravines, or gravel sites must not be in your
workouts, or practice riding. Generally if it is your first horse
join a club, and keep the friends in some order of that point. New riders should not mount a race horse, at least 2 months
is a jockey club rule. Anyway good idea is to be groom and
feed educated for the horses precise breed and health. Happy
riding, here is a good site to see horse news.
http://www.nqha.com http://www.adairmag.com/games

Answer 9

Speak with your trainer. If you don't have one, get one! A novice rider should always work with someone who has experience before choosing a horse. While there is nothing wrong with a retired race horse (I've trained plenty) - you should stick with a horse who is tried and true and is what we would call a school master.

Look - ultimately the choice is yours - if the horse is green and untrained but you love it - take it to a very good trainer before you start riding this horse!

Answer 10

I learned to ride on an Ex racer, you should be okay if it has already been retrained. If you are getting it off the track You should have a pro or experianced rider help you out. Patience is required with these animals because they can be skitish. They are very athletic an dmake fantastic sport horses. I have owned 3 ex racers, they are great. Well behaved, and ready to learn. You may need to modify the horses manners, I know that racers are not raised to be polite, they are raised to run.

Answer 11

It all depends on the way it is trained and the way you train it. The only thing I would watch out for is if that horse still likes to run. A friend of mine once bought a retired race horse and all it wanted to do was run when she tried to ride it. She couldn't take him out in the field because when she would try to canter him he would just take off in a flat out run, and her immediate instinct was to pull back on the reins but that's what jockeys do to speed their horses up so it just made him go faster. It was really hard to break him of that but we tried. Make sure your horse isn't going to be like that, especially since you've only been riding for 4 months.