What to think about when getting your first OTTB

[BoyleHeightsKid]

My hope for this new "FAQ" section is that people new to OTTB's or TB's in general can come here to get their "FAQ's" answered

So...what should you be thinking about before purchasing your new Off Track Thoroughbred?? It's certainly not something to be entered into lightly.

Thoughts?? Opinions?? Experiences??

[jenarby]

- Your goals
- Your riding ability
- What would be a deal breaker (soundness, disposition)
- Realistic expectations
- Previous experience with OTTBS
- Your budget

[pinkdaisy]

I think it's really important to consider what level the horse is at... is he still on the track? Has he been off the track for 5 years? Then evaluate your ability to train the horse or your access to trainers. Will you send the horse away for training? Or will you work with a trainer to do it yourself? Maybe you'll try to do it all yourself.
If you get a horse directly off the track, it's hard to know what kind of sport horse he will be. You have to be prepared to handle whatever he becomes.

[intrepidfox]

I think the highest likelihood for success with a horse right off the track requires a combination of experience, patience, and the flexibility to bring the horse along in the direction he/she is best suited for (rather than what the rider/trainer wants). While it's possible for someone with experience and a good eye to choose a horse with a nice temperament and the conformation to succeed in a specific pursuit, it's impossible to know how the horse will react to the demands of any particular discipline until they've been in training for some time. Some horses simply do not enjoy jumping, for example, in which case someone who is only interested in riding jumpers will be frustrated or disappointed. Others may not like the fussiness and precision of dressage, or may not be brave enough to fox hunt or event.

If you're buying right off the track, you have to be prepared to find out what career your horse is best suited for, mentally as well as physically, and either go with him in that direction, or re-home him with someone who will. I've seen many first-time OTTB purchasers frustrated because they chose horses whose ideal careers are different from their riding goals, and they didn't have a "Plan B" for that possibility.

If you have a specific discipline in mind, you're probably better off with a horse who has had at least some time to try things out off the track and decide he/she enjoys the task at hand.

[adcooper]

Have to second Jenarby's mention of budget, including what will you do when you get that huge vet bill that you didn't expect?

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Mar 23, 2010 19:37:37 GMT -5 adcooper said:

Have to second Jenarby's mention of budget, including what will you do when you get that huge vet bill that you didn't expect?

No Kidding!!

[niaru]

Mar 8, 2010 11:27:38 GMT -5 intrepidfox said:

I think the highest likelihood for success with a horse right off the track requires a combination of experience, patience, and the flexibility to bring the horse along in the direction he/she is best suited for (rather than what the rider/trainer wants).

This is SO true. And not every owner is willing to do that.

[xoxpebblesxox]

I sort of agree with what you are all saying, but there are exceptions to the rules. I have had my first OTTB for 3 months. When I set out to buy a horse i had a very limited budget and 1 criteria. NO THOROUGHBREDS! I had not sat on a horse for 5 years+ and I was never the bravest of riders.

I spent the best part of 6 months looking for a hunter/cob type that would be suitable for me, my semi novice partner and my total novice boss who wanted to learn to ride in exchange for me keeping a horse on his land. It was proving to be impossible with my £1000 budget. Everything had vices that made it totally unsuitable for any novice. I eventually head about an 18 hand, 8 year old tb who was still racing, but had fallen a couple of times and injured jockeys. The owners became nervous of making him race because when he fell, he fell hard! I was being nagged at the woman who owned him to come and see him, she thought he was perfect for me.

I went to see him and he was a star when being ridden. Not so great in the stable, but when I rode him (in company) he didn't put a foot wrong, even took him around the gallops and he was cool calm and collected before and after. I agreed to have him, I was running out of options and if worst came to worse, his previous owners would always take him back.
The first 3 weeks of hacking out were not the best. We jumped white lines, avoided all road signs and drains, and every grit bin we passed was going to swallow him there and then!!

I had never had an OTTB that hadn't been retired for less than 5 years, so I didn't really have a clue. But we worked it out together. I took the time to bond with him on the ground, done some trick training with him and just stayed as calm as possible out riding with him. He's a big horse, and if he decided he wanted to go, we went!

3 months on and I have had a 5 year old ride him and my total novice boss! I trust him 100% with anyone I let ride him. We have started jumping poles and we are attempting our first days hunting together on Boxing Day.

The point I am trying to make is that even if you don't have experience with them or maybe you aren't the most confident rider some of them are capable of learning and teaching you. Granted I know I am lucky with him as not all OTTBs are as calm as him. But I honestly believe I have my hosprse of a lifetime with him and we are learning how to do new things together. He will never be a show horse or dressage master, but he already is a perfect hacking horse! I would never be put off by an OTTB again, bide your time and wait for the right one for you to come up. He found me as much as I was avoiding looking at him & I wouldn't change a single day ive had with him!