Adopting a Thoroughbred?

Question

I am looking at one of these two thoroughbreds. I think thier just off the track. I have eneough experiance to train them. I also have the facility to train them. DO people think that they would make a good hunter/jumper and Dressage horse. Not jumping over 2'6"

For thier pics and other information bo to www.ac4h.com then go into Quarenteen and then scrool down to

Toy Theif - TB gelding - 6 yr old

OR

Truth To Power - TB gelding 4 yr old

Answer 1

TBs are very willing, and athletic horses, they can excel in almost any field. The only problem with TBs off the track is that sometimes they get stuck in the racing mindset, and they are HORRIBLY crooked. Horses on and off the track never really learned  how to go right, and therefore can't even carry themselves straight. This means that you'll have trouble getting them on the right lead, getting them to collect, NATURALLY without harsh bits and side reins and things like that, and that their left side will be much more developed giving them an unbalanced look and feel. This problem can be corrected though, so I would say yes they would make great horses once you straightened them out a bit. I have a TB gelding off the track, and he's a great horse, and I'm working to straighten him out little by little naturally, so he learns to balance himself while he's walking in the paddock as well as when I'm riding him. There are tons of books and websites that can help you, but I'll list two.

Answer 2

Truth To Power's photos aren't good for confo assessment, so I can't say.  Toy Thief's photos are better and from what I can tell he's pretty nicely put together.  What is wrong with him, though?  His leg injury may or may not determine whether he is going to be suitable for what you want to do.  He's sure cute, at any rate.

Answer 3

I appreciate that you are considering a Thoroughbred off the track (I have one! Best decision I ever made), and you seem very enthusiastic about it. It is my personal opinion, though, that even if you THINK you have enough experience to train a Thoroughbred properly and you've been riding for what feels like a Really Long Time, if you can't determine whether the horse has the right conformation to at least attempt the job you want to teach it (no one can REALLY know if it will work until you try it with the horse), then you probably don't really have enough experience. ;)

I have a feeling that you will end up with one anyway, though, so good luck and I hope all goes well for you!

Answer 4

Its very difficult to establish if a horse would be good at something just by looking at their photo. I would advised you to have a vet take a look at them both and take your time to make sure the horse is sound and has good manners, also ride them both and you will be able to estimate their abilitys. I would give a word of warning though my friend adopted a similar horse and due to its past of non stop racing it had lots of problems and was very difficult to change!

Answer 5

If you have never worked or trained an off track TB, there is no saying that you cant its just a matter of having the experience and knowledge of what to expect with them.  I suggest them as project horses as they can offer a great deal of learning experience BUT they can be accessively difficult as well and if youre experienced it might be great, if your not, you might be getting in a little over your head.  As far as these two horses, from what I see Truth to Power looks a bit nicer - build wise.  However, be sure to have each of them vetted prior to purchase as horses that end up in adoption tend to have minor to severe off track issues whether it be mental OR physical injury and most require some sort of maintenance.  Just be cautious.  As far as would they be suitable, TBs are extremly willing, athletic and bold by nature.  Of course there are always exceptions but they are bred for agility, speed and athletisism.  They make excellent hunter/jumpers and some dressage horses. It isnt often that you get higher level movement from them in dressage, but again there have been some exceptional exceptions.  Dressage isnt their primary dicipline that shows off their athletisism the best.  Eventers and Jumpers ideally are what TBs make best but some make fantastic hunters as well.  Just depends on the work you put in, what direction you want to go - they can do it all.  They are a fantastic all around athletic choice and you wont find a harder working and willing breed out there!  TBs are a blast!!!!  Warning though, they might get you hooked on them! So be careful! :P

Happy Shopping!

Answer 6

Have you owned Thoroughbreds?  I would suggest getting one already trained off the track if you havnt.  They're extremly hard to train off the track much harder than a 3yo.  But if you really want one of them I think either one would do fine from what I can see from the pics. You really have to see them move to tell for sure.  It will take you allloooott of time to re-train them but if you're willing to it will be one of the best decisions you'll make...Throroughbreds are wonderful, athletic horses with more heart than any breed ive been around. :-)  Good Luck if you decide!

Answer 7

I didnt look at their pics but if they like to jump.. tb's are warmbloods so they usually do very good in jumping/dressage/cc.. ect. i havent seen many that dont. Also, you should be able to easily exceed 2'6" if you wanted since they are still quite young!

good luck and i say go for it!!