Comments on: How to Choose a Thoroughbred Horse

on 8/8/2006 I have been around horses for as long as I can remember, but I am still on my first horse. I now have two Thoroughbreds and yes, they can be high strung, but that's just the way they are. In fact, the two are completely different in every way, but both of them have the heart and the will to try and do what I ask of them. Both are off the track and are being retrained, and I cannot believe just how willing my mare is. The breed is just full of personality, love, affection, and power. They were bred to be athletes, and the truth is, that's all they know how to do. But the thing that makes them stand out is their willingness to learn. Both of my horses would rather stick their nose into something than run away from it. Once they know that you're their friend, you've got the best partner you can have.

on 6/30/2006 My TB scared me to death when I first got him. I was petrified. I bought him because the previous owner was going to send him to the auction. He reared a lot, and frankly had a different look in his eye. He would constantly nip me. I was very nervous - knew I was in over my head (I'm still working through everything with a trainer and I still get scared sometimes).

Through patience, love, consistency and help from an experienced TB trainer, my horse has stopped nipping and has a very sweet, soft eye. He no longer gives me the eye of contempt. He is very smart and very sensitive. I have almost given up a few times, but I know he is not a mean horse and I know he loves me as much as I love him. I have only ridden him a few times in the last eight months - taking it slow. I knew he wasn't a mean horse, but extremely sensitive and smart when a jockey jumped on him in front of me and rode him with no saddle or bridle. They did figure eights, stopping, turning, etc. all by leg commands. I am his fifth and final home.

on 6/30/2006 Some TBs (the abbreviation for Thoroughbred) can be extremely high strung and testy. Although the breed draws most new buyers attention, make sure you know exactly what you want and your skill level. Most TBs must be kept in a stall, which sometimes means more money. They have soft feet and need to have shoes all the time. If you are an inexperienced rider looking for your first horse and are set on having a TB, try one that is not off the track and is older. Be aware of your riding skill and take this into consideration when buying a horse, as TBs can be hard to handle. Appendixes (Quarter Horse TB cross) is a great way to go if you are unsure about getting a TB, but still want one. If the TB is registered, you can trace his bloodlines back and see if he has ever been raced. If the TB has a tattoo on his upper lip, he has been raced- all TBs with this have been, but not all Jockey Club registered TBs have been raced. Raced TBs can have leg problems and have issues with other horses in the ring (my friends horse, Toby, cannot have a horse running along side him because the racing training kicks in and he immediately wants to run faster than the other horse, resulting in my friend loosing control)
All in all, be aware of the TBs behavior and needs when you buy one, and make sure it is the right one for you.

on 3/16/2006 I disagree with some of the negative statements made by some. My Thoroughbred is so very gentle and loving. He is also a comedian. What it boils down to is how the horse is treated, no matter what the breed. My horse shows the patience of a saint when my 9 year old son rides him, in fact the horse has more patience with my son than I do. I have learned so much from my horse and I just keep learning everyday. People need to realize that a Thoroughbred horse is just an animal that needs their human to tell them what to do, it's sort of like having a child. Think about it. If you don't tell them, they don't know. Of course if you are buying a horse that was abused or neglected, you will have to earn the horse's trust, and that may take lots of time and patience. If you are buying a horse right off the track to use for pleasure riding, it's your job to teach the horse what to do if he has never been on a trail. He won't know what to do and he may spook or do weird things, this is where a trainer might be needed if you don't know how to train the horse. I learned with mine that it takes patience and exposure to the new environment. Another horse may need more than that though, they are all different, just like their personalities. Show your Thoroughbred love and respect and they will show you the same.

on 1/9/2008 The only horses I have ever had are TB race horses. These horses are very smart and respond according to how they are treated. Mine are all gentle and loving. When I ship into a track they know their job. I have had trouble with some due to the way trainers treated them, so I now take care of my own and ship in. These horses do anything I ask of them. When the little kids are around you tell the horse to be nice to the babies, and they drop their head for a hug and a treat. I have seen many mean ones, but have also witnessed their treatment. Think about how would you react to someone that was not nice to you. I love these horses and when they are done racing I pay to have them retrained and find them good homes. I have even donated some to families and 2 of my horses are now being used as lesson horses for children. So if you have a high strung, unruly or mean TB, there must have been a problem with treatment somewhere along the line. I don't believe it is bloodlines either, as mine have some of the top bloodlines in racing.

on 2/21/2006 The feeding of alfalfa hay as the exclusive roughage portion of a horses diet can and frequently does cause the development of what are called Enteroliths - most markedly in the western and south western portions of the US. Enterolithiasis is almost exclusively a surgical fix at significant cost to the owner and sometimes death for the horse due to post-op complications.

on 2/8/2006 I recently bought my first Thoroughbred, an off-the-track TB, and he can be a handful. But it is my fault when he is doing something wrong, I've quickly learned. These beautiful animals are so tuned into us as riders that they can get confused by the wrong aids, which leads to some unwanted behaviors. I feel like this horse is going to teach me so much about how to really do it right! And I welcome this challenge. I completely disagree with the statement that TB's have lousy attitudes and such. My guy has a great personality, and is so obviously appreciative when I praise him for the right response. I agree that many TB's are not appropriate for beginners, however.

on 1/31/2006 My daughter just recently purchased a Thoroughbred mare. She was sent to a trainer first to see if she had any issues. This horse is so smart, loving and so willing to learn. We can't wait for showing season to begin to show her beauty off.

on 1/26/2006 About 2 years ago a neighbor gave me an 8 year old thoroughbred. He gave me the horse because he could not handle him. The horse is an off the track racer and has come along way since I have had him. He used to rear, kick, bite and most of all spook. He spooked at everything. He was passed from home to home so often it messed with his head and did not trust anyone. I am lucky I have him. He still has some issues that we are working on, but he is happy now. My point is; know what you are getting into with Thoroughbreds. They are not docile like other breeds, and if not trained properly they can hurt you. I have had experience with this breed for many years. This breed is not for the novice, unless working closely with a trainer. But they are a pleasure to be around. I am very thankful for him.

on 1/24/2006 I think that the coolest thing about Thoroughbreds is their will to win. If you have a Thoroughbred that has trust in you, it will pour it's heart and soul into what you want. Take racehorses for example. There was one racehorse that shattered both of his front legs and dragged himself across the finish line! His jockey just let him do what he wanted and that horse pulled himself across that line. Thoroughbreds just don't quit. Thoroughbreds also make great jumpers. Look at Gem Twist. He is considered to be one of show jumpings all time greats and he was pure TB. If your into eventing, then TB's make great horses. Some of the best eventers are Thoroughbreds. One of eventings greatest was a TB mare named Bally Cor. If you like dressage, then a TB great you might know about is Touch of Class. He helped make dressage popular in America. If you are a beginner, an untrained TB is not for you. But that doesn't mean that you can't have one. One of my TB's is a 10 year old saint that anyone can ride. If you want a Thoroughbred, just be honest with yourself about your skill level. I also own a TB mare off the track, and yes she can be difficult, but I have a trainer that knows what she is doing and my horse is coming along nicely. The truth is that Thoroughbreds are gorgeous, extremely intelligent, athletic, and they have tons of heart. And whoever said that Thoroughbreds are clumsy; nothing could be farther from the truth. Both of my TB's have never tripped once and they are extremely light on her feet. If you are thinking about owning a TB, definitely look into it. They make great riding partners and great friends.

on 1/23/2006 If Thoroughbreds were clumsy, the Run for the Roses would end in carnage. These horses are exquisitely graceful, sensitive and intelligent. My daughter rides cross country, and I sleep better at night knowing that she's on a Thoroughbred rather than a "dumb-blood." If you know your breeds, then you know that most European Warmbloods had to have Spanish and English (TB) blood mixed in to make them less cumbersome, as most were plodding carriage horses, farm horses, etc. In any case, the TB is the ultimate athlete and this is borne out by the fact that more TB's compete at the Olympic level than any other breed. Don't get me wrong, I love them all - my horse is a Belgian/Morgan cross - but to call TB's clumsy and to cite them as having bad attitudes seems silly. If you want a really bad attitude, try a Shetland pony!

on 1/18/2006 I have been showing Thoroughbred hunters and jumpers for 40 years. Over that time I have owned about 200 Thoroughbreds. I am also familiar with most other breeds.
If you are planning on buying a Thoroughbred (frequently called "TBs") there are certain positive and negative points you should consider.
First off, remember that a Thoroughbred is a distinct breed, just as a collie is a breed of dog. Many people confuse Thoroughbred with the term purebred. TBs are all derived from three founding sires and have been developed for hundreds of years as the ultimate in a sporting horse.
TBs have personalities as varied as people, but they are not nervous uncontrollable animals. They are larger than many other breeds and they are very smart and alert. They are also very loyal to their owners. They make great friends. Off of race tracks they are usually very laid back. If you are buying for a first time do not buy a TB off the track.
Remember that TBs were and are bred for performance. They are strong eager contenders. No other breed compares. If you are buying for simple pleasure riding, I suggest that you get an older horse that has a lot of experience. He will take very good care of you. On the other hand, if you want to show at major shows, the Thoroughbred confirmation and grace is almost a must if you want to get pinned.
As always; try before you buy. It is wise to try the horse 3 to 5 times each time under different circumstances, not just in a ring. Try him outside in an open field and on a trail if possible. A quality TB will handle himself well under all conditions.
Thoroughbreds tend to have a longer stride than other breeds. Don't confuse taking a longer stride with going fast. It's not the same thing.

TBs need a bit more care than other breeds. You will need the best feed, and alfalfa hay is the hay most TBs are brought up on. Contrary to popular belief, this will not cause colic. Our horses, just like track horses, have hay in front of them all the time and are grained twice a day with a third small (1 quart) grain portion at lunch. If you use cheap feed, and do not feed enough, a TB will lose weight and condition. Consult with your veterinarian on exact feed amounts. Their coats are sometimes thinner than other breeds, so proper sheets and blankets are needed in winter in the colder areas.
Before you buy, always have a full veterinary examination done. This should include X-rays of the front feet. Always get a highly experienced large animal veterinarian only to do the exam. It should also be a veterinarian that does not know the horse or the person you are getting it from.
If you buy a TB for the first time, you will be amazed at how smart they are and how well they will communicate with you. TBs are almost like a narcotic. Once you have experienced them you simply can't get away from them! They are very quick to learn but they are still sensitive, performance bred horses, so you need to learn to ride as quietly as possible.

on 1/2/2006 Over the years, I've seen many different behaviors from many different breeds. It seems to depend more on the horse's temperament, training, and experiences than its breed. A Thoroughbred can make wonderful pleasure mounts. If you are inexperienced, a knowledgeable trainer can help you find the right horse and start you off properly with lessons. There are several very good rescue groups that "re-cycle" off-track Thoroughbreds. They can be found online under Thoroughbred Rescue. We currently have 2, one is my daughter's show hunter, the other my trail horse. They are both straight off the track and very gentle, intelligent, and easily trainable.

on 11/22/2005 Not all Thoroughbred horses are mean tempered. I have a big Thoroughbred who has the most pleasant personality, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. It depends on the way people are exposed to Thoroughbreds, because they're all different.

on 11/22/2005 Last year, I was ready to move up to horses. Showing on the A-circuit my parents and trainers felt that I needed to move to a Warmblood. Then along came Bob, a Thoroughbred. I've always heard that Thoroughbreds are hot and difficult to handle. After having Bob, my opinion has greatly changed. Bob is the most patient and loyal horse that I have ever had. His keen intelligence, way of moving and excellent jumping style have made him the perfect horse for me to compete in the children's division. He accepts my learning mistakes and stays the same and helps me learn the things I need to know.