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boon
Posts: 4
| I have been looking for a barrel horse for some time and I came across a Thoroughbred. Would you recommend this breed for barrel racing? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| Totally depends. I had an OTTB mare and she was a great barrel horse for the level I was competing at (local shows and high school rodeo). I know of quite a few Thoroughbreds that with the right training can haul some butt and win over quarter horses no problem. They're awesome horses and have huge hearts. Absolutely loved my TB. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
 
Location: North Dakota | Depends on the horse. They're not as common as quarter horses but some can be great barrel horses! If their personality, training, and price fit you then that's what matters more than breed. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Last year a lot of the NFR horses were appendixes. I know some TB's that kick major barrel butt :) |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Not normally---and not because they are not capable but because the TB industry has bred all the bone structure out of them. Most are way too fine baned for my liking and cannot handle the demands of barrel racing, heck they have trouble handling running a straight line for an extended time. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 795
Location: GODS country | BUMP |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Not typically. I mean there are those few super stars out there. But typically they do not have the speed for short distances like a QH. But at big outdoor pens etc maybe. But stride is usually an issue. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| thoroughbreds can make great barrel horses I have ran two. One I ran till she was 25 She ran mostly 3D but would run 2D sometimes. She could get down and turn just like a quarter horse. The one I am currently running will run 1D to 3D mostly depending on how good I ride her and how hard I push her. I love them and you can usually pick them up at a good price. You just have to have a good vet check if they are coming of the track. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
 
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Nope.  |
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Regular
Posts: 93
| I find the people saying no on this post funny considering 75% of the barrel horses out there are running blood...Dash for cash is 3/4 TB. Dam is TB, Sire is half TB, half QH. I could name a million other examples. TB's are the foundation of any running bred horse. My best gelding was 3/4 TB (registered appendix). As long as the horse is conformationally correct, they may wear down quicker due to finer bone structure, but I've seen the beefy TB's also. I would have no problem buying a jockey club papered horse. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I run a full TB daughter or Red out of a Snowbound daughter. Most don't know she's a Thoroughbred until they see her papers. Solid mare, 1D/2D with limited runs. Would never turn away from the right TB again.
Edited to add:
I do believe you need to have strong sprinter blood and the correct build. My mare is very QH looking and in the way she moves. She is balanced on her hip and made all her money in short sprints... in fact, if she could have run with the QHs she would have been more successful. Not all TBs are made to barrel race or will be successful.
Edited by jschipper 2016-10-25 10:39 AM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| My main barrel horse is an off track thoroughbred =] He is very consistent 1D (2D at larger races) and he doesn't ever get hot like my QH does! Not saying all are like that though haha. I have had both QH and TB, and I prefer to have and run thoroughbreds over Quarter horses. I've just had way better luck and way better horses being TB than I have QH =] I know everyone has a different opinion, this is just my experience. My TBs have always been much more relaxed at races and easier to ride. I can throw my 3 year old niece on my 5 year old TB and turn them loose without a worry in the world, but would never put even an intermediate rider on most of my QHs. Just my experience with both =] But all in all, it depends on the individual, and how they are built. I tend to always get the stocky/easy keeper TBs also. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| Much of the cow in a cow-horse came from the TB blood while some shy away from it thinking it's just "running blood that can be crazy". Doc Bar was a grand son of a TB called Three Bars (everybody knows that pedigree). I have a half TB out of a QH mare and his attitude, work ethic and athletic ability out perform my QH's everyday of the week. |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
Location: Heart of Texas | I have an OTTB and LOVE him. He's never taken a lame step. You can head off him. He's a solid 2/3d horse. Super calm. If it works for you price, level, and personality. Do it! I agree with all the positive previous statements. I've had both OTT Tb's and Qh's so I'm not biased. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 795
Location: GODS country | This is all great info! Would love to hear about how your TB's are bred! I am currently looking at a TB that is Seattle Slew and Damascus bred. |
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Regular
Posts: 93
| My sweet boy's lines. Hes not full Tb as stated earlier, but absolutely the best kid I've ever owned. Retired him about a year ago. Been trying to find another Holme at Last horse for forever with no luck.
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/headn+holme+at+last |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
Location: Heart of Texas | ecranch - 2016-10-25 1:43 PM
This is all great info! Would love to hear about how your TB's are bred! I am currently looking at a TB that is Seattle Slew and Damascus bred.
My old man goes back to Secretariat and War Admiral |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | Personally I love TBs. I think they are often overlooked for most disciplines. Not even all QHs, no matter how well bred, make it as barrel horses. I wouldn't just go pick any TB off the track, but if the only thing keeping me from trying a horse on barrels was the fact it was a TB, I would go for it. My mare is all TB on top and running QH (Barrymore granddaughter) on the bottom...she clocks 1D/2D. She runs different than both my QHs did (very fluid movement, can be a little overbendy so that's something we have to work on) but she's still ratey at her barrels. She won't run by.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| Here is my guy's bloodlines =]
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/tax+enough
SUPER handsome! Wish I could figure out how to post pics =p |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| abrad12 - 2016-10-25 9:44 AM
I find the people saying no on this post funny considering 75% of the barrel horses out there are running blood...Dash for cash is 3/4 TB. Dam is TB, Sire is half TB, half QH. I could name a million other examples. TB's are the foundation of any running bred horse. My best gelding was 3/4 TB (registered appendix). As long as the horse is conformationally correct, they may wear down quicker due to finer bone structure, but I've seen the beefy TB's also. I would have no problem buying a jockey club papered horse.
The quarter horses that have thoroughbred in them have been specifically bred for sprinting. Most TB horses are bread for distance, therefore will not make a good barrel horse.
With saying that if the OP found a sprinter, one who on the track broke out first and ran out of steam half way around may be worth a gamble.
It also depends on how far the Op wants to go, if it is to play with and place in 2/3d or lower why not. If the OP wants to go to the NFR, she may need to kiss a lot of frogs to find that prince. |
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Thoroughbred Barrel Horse