Ex-Race Horse Characteristics

• Performance:

  These horses are powerful and tough, built for high performance. They demand good fundamental horsemanship from their handlers. It is most likely that their peak performance days are over when they come to us. We do our best to evaluate and understand any performance limits they may have and represent any issues to prospective adopters. It is always a good practice to hire a vet for a pre-purchase exam before committing to any horse, regardless of origin.

• Personality:

  Standardbreds are fantastically resilient and highly trainable. Remember, though, that all race horses have been selectively bred for generations to be strong willed with an attitude to win. This means they can all tend be alphas in character, competitive and always striving to challenge the hierarchy. To succeed with ex-racehorses, one must impress on them that the horse is the follower and the human is the leader. These horses are sensitive and intelligent; they respond best to light cues given correctly, whether on the ground or at work.

• Health:

  Like all horses, they are what they eat. They need good quality pasture, concentrates, hay and water. They sometimes have higher metabolisms and require more volume in rations, but such horses are worth the expense in terms of stamina, fortitude and hardiness.

• Stabling:

  Racehorses live very intense lives during the racing season. There is often not much turn out or socialization. They can sometimes develop anxious behaviors when confined to stalls or tiny paddocks. They need lots of space, some horse pals, and free choice shelter during good weather. Then they settle down into the wonderful, social, honest and able pleasure horses that they can become. It is important to make their horsey lives as stress free as possible. Always consider their natural needs and behaviors as herd animals who need room to flee when frightened.

• Pleasure Horse Potential:

  Ex-racehorses have excellent potential for leisurely riding and driving in the pleasure world of horsemanship. They can be great on the trail, as 4-H projects, in parades and color guards, and many recreational uses. They leave our farm "green broke" with a solid whoa, good direction, and improved balanced, ready to begin trail or green horse classes. They are works in progress, fabulous project horses who give their best to learn what you know how to teach them. If you'd like to help a horse achieve his potential, then adopting an ex-racehorse might be a jewel of satisfaction in your horsemanship experience.

With all this said, please be realistic with your expectations and... Happy Trails