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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

But, if it has been out of racing for a while and you can handle it, go for it. They are incredible jumpers and have powerful strides.

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Former race horses, whether thoroughbred, standardbred, quarter horse or any other breed, can make excellent pleasure horses. Expect them to at least start out hotter than the average pleasure horse. After all, their life up to this point has been based around speed. And, if the horse is fresh from the track, it would probably be in excellent condition and used to hard work. So, be ready for some work teaching them the slow lane.

Racing breeds are no different than other breeds when it comes to individual variations in temperament. Some are willing to work and learn, some are lazy. Some love people and kids, some have no use for humans.

Horses raced under saddle will already be used to carrying a rider. Harness horses may or may not have ever had a rider on their back. In general, it is not a difficult transition to go from cart to saddle. I worked with more than one show horse trainer who always trained a horse to pull a jog cart before putting a saddle on him.

If you are looking strictly for a pleasure horse and not necessarily a show horse, I recommend you consider a standardbred. They make wonderful sensible riding horses in any discipline. They may have a slightly higher natural head set than a quarter horse for western riding, but they are naturals at jumping. They can also be shown at saddlebred shows in Road Horse classes, either under saddle or in harness.

Good luck!