Conference noted::equitation

    THINGS CHANGE, BUT THE PROCEEDURE FOR A CLAIMING RACE USED TO BE
    THAT YOU WOULD GO TO THE SECRETARIES OFFICE AND STATE THAT YOU WANTED
    TO MAKE A CLAIM AND YOU WOULD BE EXPECTED TO PUT DOWN THE MONEY
    IN FULL AT THAT TIME.  THE ONLY HISTORY YOU COULD GET IS THRU THE
    RACING FORMS AND BY WATCHING PREVIOUS RACES TO SEE THEIR PERFORMANCE,
    UNLESS THE OWNER WOULD TALK TO YOU, BUT IT WASN'T USUALLY DONE IN
    THAT MANNER.  I WOULD SUGGEST CALLING THE PARK AT 898-2311 AND ASKING
    IF THEY MADE AVAILABLE TO NON-TRACK PEOPLE THE LISTING OF THE HORSES
    FOR SALE.  IF YOU ARE ABLE TO VIEW THE HORSES FOR SALE MAKE SURE
    YOU BRING A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE HORSE PERSON WITH YOU.  LET US KNOW
    HOW YOU MAKE OUT.

    I'm sure that I don't have to tell you this but just in case there
    are some new horse people `tuning in' that may not have thought
    about it before, `BE CAREFUL OF HORSES BOUGHT OFF THE TRACK'!  Through
    the years we've had the opportunity to board several track horses,
    some were layups and some were retired horses who were being used
    for pleasure.  Without exception, each of these animals showed physical
    stress from racing.  Sometimes it was minor and other times major.
    The bottom line is that the activity is very demanding on the equine
    body.  Before the barrage of replies come back, let me say that
    I am not an anti-racing activist, I'm just trying to be practical.
    I'm not even saying don't buy a track horse.  My point is only let
    the buyer beware, especially for an animal that cannot be vetted
    before the sale.  Don't let this :^) turn into this :^(
    
    Bob
                                                           

Julie,

It may be a good idea to look at TB's off the track for dressage
or eventing ... but be sure to xray the horse inside out and upside
down ... and even then cross your fingers.

I love TB's dearly and I believe they can do anything a warmblood
can do (and better).  I also think they are the most beautiful horse
of all the breeds.  But my experience owning ex-race horses has not been
good.  I've owned three ex-race horses which I Pony Clubed, evented,
and showed dressage with.  They were wonderful performers.  But they
broke down.  It may have had nothing to do with the racing - but it
convinced me I'd never own another ex-race horse (and at the time --
convinced me I'd never own another TB).

I realize that any horse can break down.  And surely, anyone who events
or just jumps their horse has to realize their horse is more prone to 
injuries than say a dressage horse.  But no matter what the argument
is, I will always believe that nothing is more stressful to a horse than
racing.  And I will never, EVER own another ex-race horse (unless it
was a broodmare prospect).

Melinda
 

    My old campaigner for hunter/jumper shows was an ex-racer. He was
    terrific however somebody took a lot of time working with him during
    the transition between racing and show jumping. He was not prone
    to injuries but as a racer (and what we beleive to be the reason
    he stopped racing) he was line and pin fired on both front legs.
    Very cold and very set bows. My point? If you have the time and
    the experience it can be worth the effort but (and its a large one)
    its not a sure thing.
    
    The professional that I work with has in the last three years gotten
    four horses off the track from a person she knows. Her success rate
    is 1 great, 1 maybe and 2 failures. The maybe and one of the failures
    were job fit porblems (horse not able or willing to be trained as
    hunters) and the other failure was medical- Never stayed sound enough
    longer enough to find out if he could do anything.
    
    Be careful - Nancy
    

    re .4 - what is line and pin fired?
    
    Also, at the stable where I board there are several ex-racer TBs.
    A couple were quite good but the rest seem prone to illness and
    injury. All are being used as hunter/jumpers and eventers. Two of
    them belong to less experienced riders who spend most of their time
    being afraid of their hot horses. Hard mouths seem to be a problem
    also. 
    
    In the time I have owned horses I've had QH,Appy and grade animals.
    I've never had much in the way of medical or lamness problems. (of
    course I don't jump often which I'm sure helps) It does seem that
    TBs have lots more medical problems than other types of horses.
    It's sure true at the barn I'm at currently. Is this my imagination?
    Very briefly I had a TB yearling and he cost me so much in vet bills
    I gave him away (he had a habit of running into fences), my appys
    in the same pasture never had a problem. Liesl

    re .5
    
    I know what you mean about accident/illness prone.  I knew many
    TBs that cost their owners $$$ in vet bills, and I have always
    been hesitant about owning one.  Since I've been looking at
    horses, I have seen many nice ones, but also many that looked
    like potential problem horses.  It's a hard decision, but I think
    if you find one with substantial bone (bigger boned than the ave.
    TB), good feet, and that has not been overstressed as a youngster,
    then depending on your training methods, and what the horse is used
    for, there should not be any more risk than owning any other breed.
    
    re .4 - Did your horse bow both front tendons?  How successful was
    his recovery, and has he had any problems since?