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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
 
| I'm considering buying a 3 year old unraced thoroughbred. He's only 15.1 now and on the stockier side. Wondering if anyone has had any luck running a thoroughbred? I've known some really nice ones, but want others opinions. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | There's been a few threads just recently! Good luck, I'm looking to buy an OTTB myself! |
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 Schnoodle Lover
Posts: 2987
Location: **Cactus Country down in South Texas*** | I have a friend who just runs thoroughbreds, she loves them. Good Luck.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| There are some Thoroughbreds that can do it and some can't - same as QH's. My friends unraced TB was the laziest thing ever, my mare was a sweetheart and tried her best every time, but she wasn't the greatest barrel horse. I know of another mare that was just started on barrels last year and runs in the 1D almost every time now. Just depends! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | PICK ME!!! Lol. My futurity horse this year was/is an OTTB. 1D barrel horse in less than 8 months on the pattern. Even I know she's a bit of a freak... but she has changed my outlook on Thoroughbreds forever. I believe they are like any breed tho... some are built for somethings better than others. My mare happens to have the big round hip similar to a QH and she is very natural on her hind end. I would definitely get another... but I would be VERY picky about how confirmation and the way he/she moves naturall. My mare carries herself more like a quarter horse so my job was very easy. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | They definitely can do it but I would check the bloodlines; see if the sire or dam were more of a sprinter, mid-race, or really ran a long ways on the track. The thoroughbreds that can't go the distance are the ones I like looking at and typically do good on the pattern. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | Look at how many QH's have TB's in their bloodlines. Yes, TB's can make awesome barrel horses. I have one and I love riding him. He should be running by now but that's not his fault. My life got in his way. He learned it very quickly. He's tall, over 16 hands and he doesn't look as pretty in his turns as some of the smaller running horses but he sure can make up for it in the straights. Get you one, you will love them I bet! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
| Oh this gives me hope. I really like this colt and hope I luck out on him. |
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| Quarter horses have fast reflex muscles to get into stride within a couple of steps where TB's are bred for stamina and have slow reflex muscles which takes them awhile to get under way.
In barrels you have 4 times a horse has to jump into stride at speed in order to be competitive.
On the track qh's are timed from a dead stop when the gates open and TB races have an offset distance where the clock does not start until horse is anywhere from 30 to 90 feet after the gates open. (offset is different at various tracks) .. This is the reason the first 1/4 mile in TB races is the fastest quarter of the race.
If you do your research on TB sires that have and are successful crosses on qh bloodlines you will see they were total failures at running TB distances and siring TB progeny.
Successful TB crosses have been BEDUINO. RAISE YOUR GLASS, THREE BARS, HEMPEN, ZEVI, REBS POLICY to name a few ..
One of the highest priced TB sires with $500,000 stud fee when crossed with qh bloodlines thru his sons has been a total failure ... but on the TB race tracks STORM CAT was a dynamic sire!!
You can get free TB's from most of the TB trainers across the nation ... just pay the shipping ... there is a very small buyer market for used TB's due to their conformations are setup for straight line racing and events in English etc etc ...
QH breeders are desperately looking for another TB bloodline as an outcross from the heavy line breeding and the small number of qh bloodlines available ...
You will learn a few things after you have spent your time training, feed and vet bills why there are very few TB's running qh speed events. Especially when you try to sell one.
It is kinda like buying a car ....
you don't buy a dump truck to go race against corvettes ...
Buy you an inexpensive qh that may have the potential to run locally and when you get ready for more speed ... you may be able to sell the qh as an automatic runner for an older or younger rider, a family horse, a trail horse or schooling or beginners horse.
GOOD LUCK ...
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2015-10-30 3:32 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 808
| Barrelhorse USA said it better than I ever could. I bought a super nice TB mare that was a sprinter, won over 114k and thought if I couldn't make her a barrel horse I could breed her to one and get one.
She failed at both. Wonderful mare, I always used her to go check cows cause I could get out there and back in a hurry lol but she just was not barrel horse materiel. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
Location: texas | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-30 3:20 AM
Quarter horses have fast reflex muscles to get into stride within a couple of steps where TB's are bred for stamina and have slow reflex muscles which takes them awhile to get under way.
In barrels you have 4 times a horse has to jump into stride at speed in order to be competitive.
On the track qh's are timed from a dead stop when the gates open and TB races have an offset distance where the clock does not start until horse is anywhere from 30 to 90 feet after the gates open. (offset is different at various tracks) .. This is the reason the first 1/4 mile in TB races is the fastest quarter of the race.
If you do your research on TB sires that have and are successful crosses on qh bloodlines you will see they were total failures at running TB distances and siring TB progeny.
Successful TB crosses have been BEDUINO. RAISE YOUR GLASS, THREE BARS, HEMPEN, ZEVI, REBS POLICY to name a few ..
One of the highest priced TB sires with $500,000 stud fee when crossed with qh bloodlines thru his sons has been a total failure ... but on the TB race tracks STORM CAT was a dynamic sire!!
You can get free TB's from most of the TB trainers across the nation ... just pay the shipping ... there is a very small buyer market for used TB's due to their conformations are setup for straight line racing and events in English etc etc ...
QH breeders are desperately looking for another TB bloodline as an outcross from the heavy line breeding and the small number of qh bloodlines available ...
You will learn a few things after you have spent your time training, feed and vet bills why there are very few TB's running qh speed events. Especially when you try to sell one.
It is kinda like buying a car ....
you don't buy a dump truck to go race against corvettes ...
Buy you an inexpensive qh that may have the potential to run locally and when you get ready for more speed ... you may be able to sell the qh as an automatic runner for an older or younger rider, a family horse, a trail horse or schooling or beginners horse.
GOOD LUCK ...
lots of great information, enjoyed reading this post.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | Honestly, not all TBs take awhile to build up the speed. Look for one that couldn't do the distance and has sprinting bloodlines. My OTTB mare was first out of the gate and into the lead every one of her 17 starts. And she held the lead for 1/2 the race and then would begin to fade. She just didn't have the stamina to go the distance. And as far as her not having fast twitch muscles, this horse can go from a stand still to flat out running in a matter of a couple strides, she does not have to build up to her max speed at all. And she is one of the cattiest horses I've thrown a leg over. She gets down and dirty and uses her hind end just as well, if not better than a QH. She picked up on the pattern fast and really hunts a barrel, and her turns are in and out, and you're rocketing to the next one.
Honestly, I dont plan on owning or running anything but OTTBS from here on out.
Don't ever let people tell you that TBs can't be barrel horses. You look for the right bloodlines and the right conformation and it's no different than looks for a QH prospect. No, not all of them will make great barrel horses, but neither do all QHs. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | TACKyPaints - 2015-10-30 8:59 AM
Honestly, not all TBs take awhile to build up the speed. Look for one that couldn't do the distance and has sprinting bloodlines. My OTTB mare was first out of the gate and into the lead every one of her 17 starts. And she held the lead for 1/2 the race and then would begin to fade. She just didn't have the stamina to go the distance. And as far as her not having fast twitch muscles, this horse can go from a stand still to flat out running in a matter of a couple strides, she does not have to build up to her max speed at all. And she is one of the cattiest horses I've thrown a leg over. She gets down and dirty and uses her hind end just as well, if not better than a QH. She picked up on the pattern fast and really hunts a barrel, and her turns are in and out, and you're rocketing to the next one.
Honestly, I dont plan on owning or running anything but OTTBS from here on out.
Don't ever let people tell you that TBs can't be barrel horses. You look for the right bloodlines and the right conformation and it's no different than looks for a QH prospect. No, not all of them will make great barrel horses, but neither do all QHs.
I absolutely agree with you! I kind of had an OTTB aversion (just based on some other people's prejudice) until I bought one. As I said in my earlier post. I love the one I have and will never hesitate to buy another. Not all QH's are meant for barrels either. I have had nothing but success with mine. I had a QH bred for barrels which couldn't hold a candle to the OTTB, so you just never know until you try it. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I think there are two things to consider... generally speaking, TB are not build/bred for barrels. They dont have the same conformation (generally) and it makes barrels a more difficult job. Not that they cant do it, but it isnt as natural or as easy as it is for others.
However, there are exceptions to every rule. I trained a OTTB who was running 2D times in less than 3 months on the pattern, he was crazy smart, crazy ratey. However, he was also one that was fast out of the gate and led the pack but couldnt go the distance when he was racing. |
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Member
Posts: 17
| The past year I bought an OTTB (unraced) but Kentucky bred, the whole 9 yards. I have broke him, and started him on the pattern and he is doing amazing! He loves barrels and can flat out run. I am actually selling him due to college rodeo and needing another horse, but he is my lover boy and loves to please (: |
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Posts: 1525
| just got one given to me. shes 9 not anything but track broke...never ran, she got hurt a week before her first race. But she is bred really nice. Her sire is KO Punch and her Dam is Z whiz. Her registered name is Averies Punch. Ive always done really well with TBs. I dont like the Storm Cats for barrels at all. Apollos are very sweet and laid back....but not gritty. Ghostly Moves horses are a lot of fun. I have had a 1d Ghostly Moves horse....anything by Mr.Prospector I tend to really like. I havent ever had one bred like this other than the Mr.Prospector. Both her Sire and her Dam were pretty exceptional. We will see. I like the sprinters more than the long distance for running barrels...but it depends on the people that I am potentially going to sell to also. The long distance dont seem to be super quick or catty and usually do well with the less experienced riders. This young girl got on her after she had a few years off and said that she was as sweet as could be...just zero handle...but didnt want to be ugly at all. Ill take her all day long lol Her sire was not very easly beaten between 4-1/2 furlongs and 5-1/2 furlongs....but he had the lungs for a 1 mile.
Ive named her Rousey.
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I just read the headlines
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| LOVE the name!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I completely disagree with the generalization that ALL TBs are built poorly for barrels. And that ALL TBs are slow to pick up speed. My Thoroughbred is neither of those. This type of generalization is how TBs get such a poor rap and so many are tossed out to pasture or worse after their racing careers.
Yes, there are TBs that are not built for barrels and who take longer to pick up speed. But guess what??? THERE ARE QHs who are the SAME way!!!!
This is my 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She is still what I consider a colt on the pattern, but is starting to consistently hit the 1D at bigger jackpots and has a few local jackpot wins under her belt. She was the ONLY Thoroughbred entered in a recently futurity and she placed 17th out of 105 (with a not so great run for her) in one go round and 30th in the average... she had a bad weekend over all to be honest, as colts sometimes do. Don't walk away from a horse just because they have jockey club papers. I turned this mare down THREE times before I finally just decided to buy her and the only reason was because of her papers!
ETA She is a daughter of Red and out of a daughter of Snowbound (both sprinters and sprinter producers). This mare won all her money sprinting and even the shortest TB races were a stretch for her. She would have done well on the QH track lol.
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Posts: 1857
| stayceem - 2015-10-30 10:18 AM
I think there are two things to consider... generally speaking, TB are not build/bred for barrels. They dont have the same conformation (generally) and it makes barrels a more difficult job. Not that they cant do it, but it isnt as natural or as easy as it is for others.
However, there are exceptions to every rule. I trained a OTTB who was running 2D times in less than 3 months on the pattern, he was crazy smart, crazy ratey. However, he was also one that was fast out of the gate and led the pack but couldnt go the distance when he was racing.
This, their conformation usually supports a long distance. They have the lower set stifles, long shoulders and humerus(which can be measures from the elbow to the point of shoulder), and usually that angle is more flat or not as angled upward like in a QH. All those things as well as hock angles, topline, and neck sets, are usually designed for distance not quickness.
Go for it if you like the horse! If it doesn't work, then move on to the next. Every horse has the potential to be good at something! |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| jschipper - 2015-10-30 12:05 PM I completely disagree with the generalization that ALL TBs are built poorly for barrels. And that ALL TBs are slow to pick up speed. My Thoroughbred is neither of those. This type of generalization is how TBs get such a poor rap and so many are tossed out to pasture or worse after their racing careers. Yes, there are TBs that are not built for barrels and who take longer to pick up speed. But guess what??? THERE ARE QHs who are the SAME way!!!! This is my 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She is still what I consider a colt on the pattern, but is starting to consistently hit the 1D at bigger jackpots and has a few local jackpot wins under her belt. She was the ONLY Thoroughbred entered in a recently futurity and she placed 17th out of 105 (with a not so great run for her) in one go round and 30th in the average... she had a bad weekend over all to be honest, as colts sometimes do. Don't walk away from a horse just because they have jockey club papers. I turned this mare down THREE times before I finally just decided to buy her and the only reason was because of her papers! ETA She is a daughter of Red and out of a daughter of Snowbound (both sprinters and sprinter producers). This mare won all her money sprinting and even the shortest TB races were a stretch for her. She would have done well on the QH track lol.
This is why yours is neither...... But you can't argue that most are not bred for distance |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| jschipper - 2015-10-30 12:05 PM
I completely disagree with the generalization that ALL TBs are built poorly for barrels. And that ALL TBs are slow to pick up speed. My Thoroughbred is neither of those. This type of generalization is how TBs get such a poor rap and so many are tossed out to pasture or worse after their racing careers.
Yes, there are TBs that are not built for barrels and who take longer to pick up speed. But guess what??? THERE ARE QHs who are the SAME way!!!!
This is my 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She is still what I consider a colt on the pattern, but is starting to consistently hit the 1D at bigger jackpots and has a few local jackpot wins under her belt. She was the ONLY Thoroughbred entered in a recently futurity and she placed 17th out of 105 (with a not so great run for her) in one go round and 30th in the average... she had a bad weekend over all to be honest, as colts sometimes do. Don't walk away from a horse just because they have jockey club papers. I turned this mare down THREE times before I finally just decided to buy her and the only reason was because of her papers!
ETA She is a daughter of Red and out of a daughter of Snowbound (both sprinters and sprinter producers). This mare won all her money sprinting and even the shortest TB races were a stretch for her. She would have done well on the QH track lol.
I really like her build!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | FlyingJT - 2015-10-30 10:22 AM
jschipper - 2015-10-30 12:05 PM I completely disagree with the generalization that ALL TBs are built poorly for barrels. And that ALL TBs are slow to pick up speed. My Thoroughbred is neither of those. This type of generalization is how TBs get such a poor rap and so many are tossed out to pasture or worse after their racing careers. Yes, there are TBs that are not built for barrels and who take longer to pick up speed. But guess what??? THERE ARE QHs who are the SAME way!!!! This is my 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She is still what I consider a colt on the pattern, but is starting to consistently hit the 1D at bigger jackpots and has a few local jackpot wins under her belt. She was the ONLY Thoroughbred entered in a recently futurity and she placed 17th out of 105 (with a not so great run for her) in one go round and 30th in the average... she had a bad weekend over all to be honest, as colts sometimes do. Don't walk away from a horse just because they have jockey club papers. I turned this mare down THREE times before I finally just decided to buy her and the only reason was because of her papers! ETA She is a daughter of Red and out of a daughter of Snowbound (both sprinters and sprinter producers). This mare won all her money sprinting and even the shortest TB races were a stretch for her. She would have done well on the QH track lol.
This is why yours is neither...... But you can't argue that most are not bred for distance
I'm not arguing that most aren't bred to go distances. What i'm saying is that to generalize and say that a thoroughbred will most definitely not be any good for barrel racing is unfair. More barrel racers need to have an open mind. My mare isn't the only TB who's bred and built to go short distances.
Edited by jschipper 2015-11-01 2:14 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | veintiocho - 2015-10-30 10:40 AM
jschipper - 2015-10-30 12:05 PM
I completely disagree with the generalization that ALL TBs are built poorly for barrels. And that ALL TBs are slow to pick up speed. My Thoroughbred is neither of those. This type of generalization is how TBs get such a poor rap and so many are tossed out to pasture or worse after their racing careers.
Yes, there are TBs that are not built for barrels and who take longer to pick up speed. But guess what??? THERE ARE QHs who are the SAME way!!!!
This is my 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She is still what I consider a colt on the pattern, but is starting to consistently hit the 1D at bigger jackpots and has a few local jackpot wins under her belt. She was the ONLY Thoroughbred entered in a recently futurity and she placed 17th out of 105 (with a not so great run for her) in one go round and 30th in the average... she had a bad weekend over all to be honest, as colts sometimes do. Don't walk away from a horse just because they have jockey club papers. I turned this mare down THREE times before I finally just decided to buy her and the only reason was because of her papers!
ETA She is a daughter of Red and out of a daughter of Snowbound (both sprinters and sprinter producers). This mare won all her money sprinting and even the shortest TB races were a stretch for her. She would have done well on the QH track lol.
I really like her build!!
Thank you :) I'm biased but she's pre special :) While I am enjoying the heck out of her, I also look forward to the day that I get to breed her and then run her babies. With Red's last foal crop being yearlings in 2015, I sure am thankful to have two mares out of him! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
| I've pretty much decided based on this thread not to buy him for the simple fact if I want to sell him later I'm afraid even if he's a good horse nobody will buy him because of his breed. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Lucky86 - 2015-11-02 6:48 AM I've pretty much decided based on this thread not to buy him for the simple fact if I want to sell him later I'm afraid even if he's a good horse nobody will buy him because of his breed.
Depends how good he is. If he is a truly proven 1D horse, nobody will give a rat's behind what breed he is. Grade horses will sell for big dollars if they are winning the 1D- a TB will too.
However, if he is a 3/4/5 D horse your are right... less people will want him and you would sell for less than a comparable AQHA registered horse.
Personally, I would not persue a TB. There are so many well bred QH's out there going for great prices right now. I am limited though on numbers as I board horses, so that effects my pov.
I do think the right TB has the ability to do well, and I like the breed myself. They make WONDERFUL english horses and can be very versatile mounts, too. They are beautiful. Buuuut, you will hit some predjudice in the barrel arena with one, and in general quarter horses are usually a better bet and investment. (JMHO) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
| barrelracr131 - 2015-11-02 7:26 AM
Lucky86 - 2015-11-02 6:48 AM I've pretty much decided based on this thread not to buy him for the simple fact if I want to sell him later I'm afraid even if he's a good horse nobody will buy him because of his breed.
Depends how good he is. If he is a truly proven 1D horse, nobody will give a rat's behind what breed he is. Grade horses will sell for big dollars if they are winning the 1D- a TB will too.
However, if he is a 3/4/5 D horse your are right... less people will want him and you would sell for less than a comparable AQHA registered horse.
Personally, I would not persue a TB. There are so many well bred QH's out there going for great prices right now. I am limited though on numbers as I board horses, so that effects my pov.
I do think the right TB has the ability to do well, and I like the breed myself. They make WONDERFUL english horses and can be very versatile mounts, too. They are beautiful. Buuuut, you will hit some predjudice in the barrel arena with one, and in general quarter horses are usually a better bet and investment. (JMHO)
All I've owned is quarter horses. I am selling my 1D horse, would like to buy a nice project and pay things off with that money. Mostly pay things off. So the next horse may be a stepping stone horse. I found a nice appendix filly I like. She will be easier to sell if she doesn't turn out. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I think you're correct that selling a qh is easier. Appendix is not a big deal IMHO TBs are harder to move in my area. |
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Posts: 189
| I love mine! I cant wait to start hauling him. He took to barrels fairly quickly..I focus on slow work tho as I did not want him to loose his brain. I will try to post a pic!!
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Regular
Posts: 70
| Love mine....I have one that is "typical" thoroughbred and one that looks like QH....both ran in the 3D at big race in Texarkana...love them both!!! Will try to post pics |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| I love my mare. She's so level headed and just wants to please. I haven't started hauling her, mainly cause I haven't ran barrels in years, but do think she's going to make a good all around horse. The more I work with her, the more I think she could be a competitive barrel horse. I just need to get up and start hauling. |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| RunfastNTurn - 2015-11-04 8:16 AM
I love mine! I cant wait to start hauling him. He took to barrels fairly quickly..I focus on slow work tho as I did not want him to loose his brain. I will try to post a pic!!
Yours looks a lot like mine. Same color and built the same. How is he bred? |
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 Chatty Kathy
Posts: 6634
Location: In Ky following Barrel Races & Walker hounds. | I just got a really nice OTTB gelding by Cactus Ridge out of an Ogygian mare about 2 months ago, easiest horse to ride in the world and NATURALLY taking to barrels. He will lope around like a pleasure horse and stop on a dime. And hes blessed with a head full of sense! If you like how the horse is built and his attitude, go for it! Here is my guy Oxnard
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas |
Very pretty boy  |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | This is the guy I picked up. He's six. Ran as a 3 and 4 year old and then just sat. He's about 15.3 and on the stockier side. Trying to fatten him up tho as he came to me on the lean side....I've been hauling him with my mare and working in the warm up arena with all the hustle and bustle. So far, he's handling it pretty well.
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Veteran
Posts: 189
| pepsi97 - 2015-11-21 3:14 PM RunfastNTurn - 2015-11-04 8:16 AM I love mine! I cant wait to start hauling him. He took to barrels fairly quickly..I focus on slow work tho as I did not want him to loose his brain. I will try to post a pic!! Yours looks a lot like mine. Same color and built the same. How is he bred?
http://www.pedigreequery.com/dancing+in+gerarda
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I've been admiring him Sarah! So pretty :)
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