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Im thinking of buying a x race horse can they be retrained for riding pleasureand what do i need to2007-11-24 21:17:40

If I were you I'd look for a different horse.

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My first real horse was off the track, a wash out. She had the speed, but not the hot temperament. If the horse is a good fit otherwise, and vets out sound, go ahead and try it. I would not go looking for a racer, though, unless you found a horse that you liked and he just happened to be one. I just started my mare like she knew nothing - all the way back to ground work. It took a lot of hours of riding, but she actually became a competitive western pleasure horse. On the other hand, she was just that type of horse anyway.

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Find someone to retrain it..It can be done. he has probably had enough of running anyways..ready for a pasture retirement.

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Yes, they can be retrained to pleasure. Unlike what some posters have said, not all OTTBs (off track Thoroughbreds) are high strung or nutcases. I currently have 3 and have had others in the past as well as worked on the track and on race farms. Many of the horses on the track and the farm were no different than your average horse, in fact, many were better mannered and perfectly fine to ride. None of mine are very "hot", only one is a little difficult to ride because he is strong and is a puller, the other two are very easy to ride and all have great manners.

You will need someone experienced in retraining an exracer, because they may not understand some things you may ask them like a regular riding trained horse will. For example, some need to learn to stand still for mounting (I will say that all mine know to stand still though, I stand them next to a fence ans they stand there until I have climbed on and cued them to go), some don't understand leg aids as they aren't used to being cued by leg aids. There is a lot to retraining them to ride. However, many have excellent ground manners, tie, load in the trailer, pick up feet, stand for farrier, will walk through narrow areas because they are things that they have done many times.