TB's ... All insane?

[Pie_x]

I'm not being awful against TB's, I personally love them!!

Its just people always tar TB's as being 'nutters, fruit loops' etc. I don't agree they are all like that, though most i've met have always been on there toes a bit and quirky. I thought Rio was the most gentle laid back TB i'd ever come across until he bolted down the road with me for no reason really!

Anyway, I don't mean to sound cruel but since Rio did that, it put me off riding TB's a little. I know any horse can do it but do you know what I'm trying to say? ...

Anyway, a friend messaged me today on facebook, it means nothing yet but she said her friend is looking for some help with her horse as she is pregnant, that if i'm interested she will get some more info. She then told me her name and asked if I could see her profile, I said i couldn't as it was set to private she just said it says the horse is '15.1hh dark bay gelding, lovely natured, can be cheeky.' I saw the profile picture and it looks hugely like a TB.

I was quite excited at the prospect when I first read the message but now i'm questioning whether it would be right ? I don't even know anything about the horse yet or even seen him. I would be totally honest with the owner about my past and my abilities of course. My friend/cousin who owns the Piebald cob i've been riding, says that I should just go try it and again, be honest with the owner if he sounds okay once I hear more back. I know I could handle what ever was thrown at me, its just i don't want to be letting the owner down and going 'Sorry can't do it, confidence has gone again' :lol:

I had a similiar question not long ago about the NF mare and my confidence, she hasn't ruined it so far, she just takes the biscuit to catch on her off days and to be fair, I just want a nice easy going horse whos going to be fun but not a total nutcase! So question is, are all TB's loonie bins :lol:

x

[black crow]

I've come across some brilliant Thoroughbreds, who havent been anywhere near their stereotype.

Generally, yes TB's are very highly strung - but they are one of very few true 'hot bloods' so they arent going to 'generally' be calm and quiet.

It's well known that as long as the rider is capable of adapting THEIR methods to riding, then ex racers can make incredibly good hacking horses.

However, i do think many people confuse TB's and ex racers as a whole. Many see ex racers and brand all TB's as nutty. Sadly many TB's are bought on the cheap, not retrained correctly, and then act up with their new owners. I've seen many people write off all TB's becauee of this, which is highly unfair.

At the same time, there have been MANY inexperienced people buy a horse thinking they are 'saving/rescuing' it, turns out the horse is an ex racer, and they either brand it as dangerous, or sell it off. When infact 99% of these horses would be fine and sorted in experienced hands. This sadly is where a large part of the stereotype comes from. I find this hugely sad, but it wont stop. There will be people always going out buying these horses, and sadly make them worse. Not to say every inexperienced rider does this to their new ex racer, but i have seen it go horribly, horribly wrong on many occasions.

I've worked with several TB's who have been ex racers, and have fully lived upto the 'psychopathic, want to kill its self' brand, however this is often because of people messing them up.
I even knew someone who owned an ex racer, who herself had a disability and her mare looked after her brilliantly.

I'll stop here or i will go on all night lol but no generally, stereotypes often apply to either the majority or is wrongly used, but doesnt mean they are all like it.

[Zeitgeist Mom]

Not at all!! I've owned three TB's. They have all been very forward but not at all insane. King Louis was insane when in the field, very playful, used to pull apart my jumps, charge around like an idiot etc but under saddle was so generous and put his whole heart into his work. Just Henry was the most successful of my ex racers on the track, a seven time winner. But my god what a plod! :lol: He needed a lot of leg, and was a very safe, sane, sensible ride. Syrius was forward going, but did have some stubborn moments if he didn't want to do something. But no silliness or nonsense.

All three were non spooky, sensible horses. In Zimbabwe most people have ex racers, and I can't actually think of any off hand who were particularly problematic. The only negative thing I could say about TB's is that they are pretty high maintenance to keep, feel the cold, and often don't have great feet. But as riding horses I love them.

[Tiaki]

A pet hate of mine is horses being stereotyped due to their breed.

Every horse is an individual and should be viewed/treated that way. I have met sharp TB's but also TB's that were basically dopes on ropes that novice kids could ride. I've also seen plod along cobs behaving dangerously.

It all depends on the individual horse and obviously the way they have been raised/educated.

xxx

[Teej]

You need them to define 'cheeky'...... to some people that's just a forward going horse, to others it's a bucking bronc!

Chip is my beautiful 16.1 TB ex racing pony (in winter he looks like a fluffy overgrown shetland!) and he's perfik ! :love:

When I first took him on 2 years ago, he didn't have much of a personality and he seemed fearful of a lot of things. He would panic when tied up and would desperately try to untie himself although he hardly ever pulled back to 'escape'. He clearly associated being tied up with something scary...... apparently he used to be twitched on his ears but it could have been any number of things as he'd raced from age 2 to age 6! He still makes feeble attempts to untie himself even now but he gives up after a few seconds and just relaxes. He lets me touch and even massage and brush his ears now but I couldn't get near them at first. He loves being fussed over and he is really just a big baby that loves chewing stuff and poking his nose into everything that doesn't concern him :rolleyes: . My daughter says he's a 'mummys boy'...and "he's so gay" (15 year old talk!!) !!!

I can't remember the last time he bucked and he only did that in the school.... some massive broncs whilst squealing like a little girl :evilgrin: ....such a cute boy :) He can be stubborn and often naps when he sees something he doesn't like but at least he doesn't rear anymore which I didn't like! I ride him in a Dr Cooks bitless bridle and always have from day 1. He took to it straight away and he's only tanked off with me once when we were with a group of horses, another ex racer and an unraced TB and as we were about to canter, the TB in front was being held back so I kicked Chip on to pass him and he 'understandably' assumed I meant "win the race" !!! ........ so he did, at great speed !:lol:

He does have a few quirks but so does my Anglo Arab and she has no excuse having lived the life of Riley from the second she popped into the world :lol::rolleyes:

I am a sucker for 'hot bloods' though :)

[Indi_Jo]

I tottally agree with everything BC has said, My Indiana is a ex racer bless him and he is just a dream to ride most days, he gets a little highly strung if we hack with alot of other horses but one or two and hes fine.

[My Crazy Clan]

ha ha!!!

I was told by such an "experienced" person that I should "be very careful with Monty, because hes Shire x TB and the shire side is absolutely nutty" ball ****.

I never go by breed, there are so many that think Welsh D's are nutty/flighty and boshly and would never have one as a first horse, its all a load of rubbish, they are what your make them, no horse is the same.

[bimba]

My lad is definitely not insane! He's forward going, pretty neurotic at times, a bit of a stress head and definitely highly strung but he's also very sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. If he gets a bit silly ridden, it's just that silliness, he's never been dangerous or uncontrolable and in some ways once you get to know him you can predict what he's going to do and when he's going to do it. To handle he's a total gentleman, I'd trust him with anyone and he seems to know when people are beginners and behaves brilliantly.

[Pie_x]

Brilliant reply BC! I always get filled with so much info when you reply lol :lol:

Wow.. This has been great seeing how many of you have explained your TB's , they all sound lovely and individual in there own ways! It hasn't put me off, if your capable enough, you can handle one.

I hate it too when people brand certain breeds 'insane' but I thought I would post this out of interest to see if TB's really are like people make them out to be!

It's been great hearing about them all, I'm not put off in the slightest either :)

xx

[Laura T]

My first horse was a 4 year old off the track TB and I was 13 years old:scared: Can honestly say he was the most genuine horse I have ever sat on and didn't seem to realise he was meant to be "insane":lol:! We grew up together until I went to uni when I sold him which is one of the biggest regrets of my life. Had massive problems with his weight and feet for the first year but after that in 4 years never had a single vet bill!

My second TB was a more "typcal" TB but he never bucked, reared, bolted or spooked. He did jog everywhere but I always felt totally safe on him. He was a good doer, needed little food and was the easiest horse to handle on the ground I have ever had.

I now have a Warmblood, who is lovely, but he just doesn't have that intelligence and spark that most TB's have and tbh I miss that.

If I was getting another horse I would defiitely want another big, national hunt type TB.

Try the horse and see!

[Burnie]

I wouldn't say that Tilly is nutty, she's just sensitive and has to be treated as such.

The is sensitive to her environment (likes routine, can stress out easily) and has to be ridden sensitively. I need to keep my seat quiet and light aids in the school.

I had a few problems with her getting strong when we were riding out but have got a new RI who's done a lot of work with ex-racers and she's really made me think about how my position and things are affecting her.

She can be sharp and spooky but she's very honest and I trust her not to do anything dangerous. She's a lot of fun to ride and keeps me on my toes, but definitely not nutty!

[Pie_x]

Hopefully I'll be able to get in touch with the owner Laura_T and if all is ok, go see him :) I don't want to hush him along just because hes a TB. This post has deffinatley changed my mind again. :)

Burnie - Tilly is soooo gorgeous! I agree with them seeming more sensitive to aids, the ones i've ridden have been, think you just need a good understanding of them like you say. You have a good relationship with Tilly. :)

x

[Burnie]

Burnie - Tilly is soooo gorgeous! I agree with them seeming more sensitive to aids, the ones i've ridden have been, think you just need a good understanding of them like you say. You have a good relationship with Tilly. :) x

Thank you so much, what a really nice thing to say :D

[Pie_x]

Your welcome, only saying what I think!! x

[amandaxx1]

Nah definatly not! I would never have one as they just arnt my kind of horse, but Ive known some lovely ones.

There was a gorgeous gelding at my last riding school, he was soo quiet and well schooled x

[Pie_x]

Hmmm.. After all that I've just discovered he's deffinatley NOT a TB!! Lol, the profile picture he looked so much like one! I don't know what breed he is, looks more welsh D X Tb?

If I go see him, if hes still available and sounds right, I will post a picture.

Nice to hear about TB's though, I'm refreshed about them and would feel fine about them again now!

x

[Stacey-Jade]

i'll have to admit i've always thought TB's are bit 'nutty' :ashamed: although i've ridden many of them.

i have always, always said i never ever ever want a TB, and ended up with two so far.:o the first one was a chestnut mare that was only 4 and she was a complete fruit loop, but i completely loved her for it. and sambo's a irish TB as well, and his so gentle and laid back when he knows your worried or nervous and will look after you. but at the same time if you want he can be fizzy, on his toes etc but he is completely safe!

the only real TB i have come across that's been your 'sterotype' TB is a horse named dinni, and i think that was purely because he had been raced. so i think the whole 'sterotyping' may be down to if they've been raced or not.

[Tiaki]

Racing or not they are still all totally different.

I have schooled ex racers who have been like placid llamas and ridden non racers who have been, shall I say, special :lol:

xxx

[chaz666]

ive had a few horses over the years and can honestly say my current boy is the best!! he's a 5yo came to me after a 3 month break from racing and what a star he's been, he's a very quick learner and will quite happily go for a canter accross the new forest with other horses and not pick up the pace. he's the most expensive ive had to feed and shoe but i wouldnt have it any other way. he's a little sharp out hacking if something spooks him but no way dangerous.

i recently sold my other horse who was a 4yo ID x NF, the most laid back horse ive ever had and i trust him with my life and could do anything with him.. however he's just put his new owner in hospital with 2 broken legs because he spooked and through himself over backwards.

you just never know with any horse!! at the end of the day they are still only animals and have a right to behave like animals lol

[chance encounter]

We have a thoroughbred who was not bred to race and has never raced. He is quirky and full of character but most horses are?!? My friend has a warmblood who is very naughty bucking and rearing but our tb would never dream of doing that. He warns you though by grunting when he isnt happy and you know when he is peed off! We have had our moments with him but he has now such a bond with my daughter that he wouldnt dream of doing anything wrong. I think like all horse breeds it takes the right horse to bond with not just about breeding. He is the most loving horse we have ever owned, loves his cuddles & kisses and pushes his muzzle right in your face for one. He can be aloof at times and spook but the cob type horse at my yard spooks at the same place as him, even worse as he spooks to the other side of the road whereas our tb just snorts. BCE knows him inside out and can feel him if he is getting upset under saddle or even when Im walking him if it is high winds he grows another couple of feet, lol! We just tell him to stop his carry on and he is fine. You have to be strong & let them know that you are in control or they will just like any horse take the mickey!

He is sensitive and he does like his routine but he is a joy to own.

We were a bit like Stacey-Jade never wanted a bay nor a thoroughbred and ended up with one, lol!!

[Scarlet Kat]

I say TBs are like collie dogs, very quick to learn, hence pick up bad things first - but it is horses for courses, some are chilled, others have a wee bit more pop on them.

I have ridden numerous TBs including eventers and ex race horses and all had their own personality, and all were incredibly intelligent – then lucky me, I then owned one, and by goodness she has been the best learning horse I have ever had. She has her moments, and some things you have to go about tentatively and she is very sensitive, but other things she would just walk all over your sturdy 4 legged reliables, she even proves their faults and has to guide. I also believe that TBs are a lot more expressionistic than other breeds they can really show how to express themselves.

I think it terrible for those TBs that end up on useless racing yards, those that are locked up for 23hrs a day, and are handled by the idiots in racing who are actually going by the myth of the breed being ‘mad’ so are heavy handed with them through fear, those are the ones that have to revert to their flight senses for survival.

Now someone mentioned on this thread they now own a warmblood, that doesn’t have the spark of the TB – so true, a good friend of mine ownes both breeds and she calls her warmbloods, dumb bloods, and said anyone who calls a TB mad needs to meet a warmblood when one looses the plot. Bless, I like both breeds personally.

My girl is a big TB, with heaps of attitude and oodles of character, she has her moments, also shows some serious pony traits, which you have to remind her she is 17hh, and daisy reins would not be acceptable on one this big. I did a lot of dressage on her and she gave the warmbloods a run for their money in that sport, and always came home in the ribbons. She liked showing, but liked to have a leap in the air in trot ups, but again always got placed.

And finally IMHO TBs are incredibly loyal, once they have faith in you and you accept their traits and build a bond they will try and do anything for you.

I love my girl dearly and love our morning hugs, now looking forward to seeing her tonight, I need to kiss that squishy nose of hers - which she then wrinkles at me ;-)

[Pie_x]

Awwwww that is lovely Scarlet Kat :) Sounds like a lovely mare you have there and I totally agree with what you have said, as I do the others.

Was lovely to hear everyones replies, thank you :) x

[chance encounter]

And finally IMHO TBs are incredibly loyal, once they have faith in you and you accept their traits and build a bond they will try and do anything for you.



Ive just read that statement out to my daughter as that is our TB to a tee. They are lovely arent they although we are moving yards in a week and the water pipe isnt in properly and I dont know what Darlis is going to think of the blue tarpaulin, lol!!!

[Teej]

Ditto CE - that quote describes Chip too and when I think how far we've come in the two years that I've had him, I'm just amazed by the bond that we've built.

He made it very obvious in the beginning with his expressions and 'frowing' that he really wasn't sure about me...... another human added to his long list of human handlers over the years. The frown and worried expression gradually faded after several months and has been replaced with a content, inquisitive and fascinated expression. He has such an intelligent look in his eye and he loves to watch me doing stuff. He's very nosy and loves to get involved and interfere with whatever I'm doing!

[chance encounter]

BCE was only saying today that he has been the most enjoyable to school & produce over the last three years for showing. Chance was already well schooled when we got her but Darli had been left for a number of years in a field and he was so naughty when we got him and nearly pulled her shoulders out. Three years later and without a school he is the total opposite and you can hold the tips of the buckle of your reins and he will still carry himself.