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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
  
Location: In a happy place | Everyone I ever had off the track made really nice barrel horses. Love them. |
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Expert
Posts: 1955
 
Location: Ky | SloRide - 2017-04-26 9:44 PM I have not had an ex race horse since I was a teenager but I seen a couple that I like recently and I am just weighing the pros and cons of buying an off the track QH. Just wanted to get some input from those with more recent experience than I have. Did the horses you got work out? What are some things I should look out for?
I always loved OTT horses. The only real way to break horses is to handle/ride them and at the track they are handled and ridden daily. They have been shod regularly, they have had theior teeth floated. They know the drills.
They have been exposed to crowds, noises and other horses. They have been trailered. They been taught to stand in cross ties.
Biggest taining challenge is you have to get them to learn to give to the bit instead of run into it.
Of course soundness is always a concern. Look for wind puffs and signs of blistering. Also conformation. Problably pretty decent conformation or they wouldn't be spending a lot of time on them at the track anyway. If you don't have a trained eye for that then take someone with you that does.
But, if I were to want to start a prospect today I wouldn't want anything but one that's been at the track. |
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| I bought one for the first time last fall. Gave him a few months off, and have about 25 days on him now. We didnt even really do/train on anything the first week, just rode around while I learned what he was like. I don't know if they're all like this, or if it's his breeding, his trainer, or probably some combination, but he's been absolutely perfect. Just made this video today. Not real exciting, just working on independent moving of hip and shoulder, and his handle.
https://youtu.be/7aepmfVAvxI
www.allbreedpedigree.com/ivory+wayne
Edited by jenagarwood 2017-04-29 7:46 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| jenagarwood - 2017-04-29 7:44 PM
I bought one for the first time last fall. Gave him a few months off, and have about 25 days on him now. We didnt even really do/train on anything the first week, just rode around while I learned what he was like. I don't know if they're all like this, or if it's his breeding, his trainer, or probably some combination, but he's been absolutely perfect. Just made this video today. Not real exciting, just working on independent moving of hip and shoulder, and his handle.
https://youtu.be/7aepmfVAvxI
www.allbreedpedigree.com/ivory+wayne
It's also because he's an Ivory James. I've handled quite a few and own one who has been the absolutes smartest, easiest horse I've ever thrown a leg over. You're gonna love him!!! |
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| iloveequine40 - 2017-04-29 8:07 PM
jenagarwood - 2017-04-29 7:44 PM
I bought one for the first time last fall. Gave him a few months off, and have about 25 days on him now. We didnt even really do/train on anything the first week, just rode around while I learned what he was like. I don't know if they're all like this, or if it's his breeding, his trainer, or probably some combination, but he's been absolutely perfect. Just made this video today. Not real exciting, just working on independent moving of hip and shoulder, and his handle.
https://youtu.be/7aepmfVAvxI
www.allbreedpedigree.com/ivory+wayne
It's also because he's an Ivory James. I've handled quite a few and own one who has been the absolutes smartest, easiest horse I've ever thrown a leg over. You're gonna love him!!!
It's going to be tough to get on anything else then! He is super smart and attentive. Makes my job easy for sure. I'll get spoiled :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| jenagarwood - 2017-04-29 8:09 PM
iloveequine40 - 2017-04-29 8:07 PM
jenagarwood - 2017-04-29 7:44 PM
I bought one for the first time last fall. Gave him a few months off, and have about 25 days on him now. We didnt even really do/train on anything the first week, just rode around while I learned what he was like. I don't know if they're all like this, or if it's his breeding, his trainer, or probably some combination, but he's been absolutely perfect. Just made this video today. Not real exciting, just working on independent moving of hip and shoulder, and his handle.
https://youtu.be/7aepmfVAvxI
www.allbreedpedigree.com/ivory+wayne
It's also because he's an Ivory James. I've handled quite a few and own one who has been the absolutes smartest, easiest horse I've ever thrown a leg over. You're gonna love him!!!
It's going to be tough to get on anything else then! He is super smart and attentive. Makes my job easy for sure. I'll get spoiled : )
Yes you will. They are so user friendly. Want to please and fast learners. Mine is a social butterfly too. LOVES people particularly little kids. I'm actually eye balling anothero ne that a local race vet has. He's too pricey for me right now but I added him to my virtual barn on equibase. He sticks him in another $5k claimer like he did last year to get an out on him. I'll snatch him up.
Edited by iloveequine40 2017-04-29 8:42 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| Would anyone like to check out some xrays? I can PM them. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | SloRide - 2017-05-04 2:02 PM Would anyone like to check out some xrays? I can PM them.
I'm not a expert x-ray reader. Can you just tell us what the vet says about the x-rays? |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| The xrays are on a different horse I looked at. The vet noticed very slight rough spots on the outsides of both knees. Vet thought it was strange they way it was bilateral so he got a second opinion and I got my regular vet to look. The horse tested completely sound everywhere. He just has those two spots. Vet did say that once you start digging you are bound to find something. So I ended up with three different vets looking at thease xrays and none of them were seriously alarmed but obviously could not guarantee anything. So basically he has some very mild arthritis that doesn't cause discomfort. I really like this horse. Great personality, comfortable to ride, has a great start on him. Another 30 to 45 days on him and he should be ready to run barrels. Mind you I might run barrels 3 to 4 times a year. I do not ride my horses hard. So far the vets think with what I do this horse would be perfectly suitable. Was just told to be proactive and pay attention to his knees going forward.
Anyone here knowingly buy a horse with mild arthritis?
As far the gelding this post was originally started for... My trainer and I decided against him. He was going to need too much time off to settle down. He was down right dangerous on the ground. Not that it could not be fixed, but I did not want to commit to it. I board and there are lots of little kids at the barn and did not want to worry my horse was going to barrel over some poor kid. But if anyone else is interested in can give you the owners information lol.
Edited by SloRide 2017-05-05 12:17 AM
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | I would be OK with the knees, as long as there are no chips you should be good. Congrats on your new horse!
?As far as the other horse with bad ground manners, that is not the norm with OTT horses. Most race horses are handled a lot everyday, baths, grooming, picking feet and tacking up is done just about every day and if it takes more than one groom to do it that wastes time and energy that could be put towards another horse. Sounds like you made a good choice. |
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