Can an ex racehorse live out?

Question

I'm thinking about getting an ex racehorse (straight from the racing yard) and I'm a big fan of thoroughbreds and am looking forward to retraining it. However, can an ex racehorse live out? I know they are stabled and heavily rugged at the racing yards so would like to know how long the transition would take/how soon I could let it live out?

Answer 1

As with all horses, it depends.

I've had several ex racehorses.  Here, the weather can get to about -25 F (though when it's that cold I shut them all in).  As long as you let the horse acclimate in the fall and early winter by NOT rugging him up and NOT shutting the stable doors, he'll develop a very good coat.

As long as he has shelter from wind and rain available, he'll be fine.  Insufficient shelter, he won't be.  

If he's coming straight from the track and hasn't developed a coat in time for winter, he'll need shelter and a rug.

Answer 2

well my family bought an ex racehorse, he won his frist race and had great lineage but he injured himself during a race and was sold. He was great to ride but we never pushed him hard, although he was real hard to handle in a pasture. very stubborn.