Where would one look for a retrained OTTB or Throughbred mare or gelding for the intermediated older (55) rider.
Would also be open to Appendix QH.
I’m interested in doing low level dressage, hunter paces etc. A safe horse that is forward, but not hot or crazy… Does such a beast exist? Looking because my current mare is nearing retirement… She’s the best!
jlegriffith on this board retrains for CANTER Mid-Atlantic. I believe she is located in Delaware and could probably hook you up with someone reputable if she doesn’t have anything herself.
On facebook, search for Jessica Morthole.
Agree with CMA and jleegriffith.
I don’t have personal experience, but have heard good things about second chance http://www.secondchancethoroughbreds.org/Available_OTTBs_AVE3.php
Also look at the USEA Area I site http://www.area1usea.org/Network/Classifieds/horses.htm
and on sites like Dreamhorse - do an advanced search with the breeds you want and the distance from the zip you want. For example:
I have no connection or knowledge of any of these horses, just did a search
Contact CANTER NE - some horses have significant under saddle work beyond their racetrack training. The folks at CANTER are very helpful and can steer you toward appropriate horses. Some horses are fostered at private barns (I’ve taken in two) and those horses are ridden extensively.
Nevins Farm (part of the MSPCA) also gets TBs and they are re-started under saddle with knowledgeable trainers. Contact them as well. I know Lisa Terrell has been working with an older TB for some time for them.
Thank you for the information so far!
You can also check on the RRTP directory (this is the Sources for Horses map): http://www.retiredracehorsetraining.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=308
You could also look for an eventer who is stepping down. We have bought 2 of them and both have been wonderful. They know a lot and have been every where… Checkout the USEA area 1 site they do show up there too…
In today’s techno age Facebook…look for a Page selling OTTB in your State or region …There are Eventing pages , OTTB pages, club and area/zone pages …
If there is a bad seller people will be quick to share experiances.
Since you want to stay in New England and not venture Souther that’s where I would start my search…you can also post an ISO and let the sellers come to you…Be very clear of what you want your price range and what you Do NOt want…keep us posted
If you wanted to come to Va, I could reccomend the trainer where I got my mare. I know she has a mare that she said was forward and had good stamina, but sensible. I have seen the mare and she had her popping over fences in a short time of introducing her to jumping. Very sensible and she was at a new farm with cold, windy weather, and horses she didn’t know running around in the pasture right next to the riding ring. My mare has been everything she said she was. Within a week of bringing her to the barn where I board, I was riding her out, thru the woods, and down the road and around some large fields. She starts all hers by trail riding them, so they seem pretty unflappable. Pm me if interested in her contact info. (and to make you feel better, I am crowding the big 60 in a few weeks)
I got a lovely guy from King Oak, and know another very nice one who came from there. Don’t know what they’ve got currently, but might be worth a call.
Depends where you are in New England. My friends own a barn in Skowhegan, Maine, and often have for sale something that would fit your needs. They event throughout NE and down the East coast, and several of their horses are OTTB. They are absolutely honest.
I’d look in FB to see if there is a “New England OTTB” page or something to that effect. CANTER New England is a good place to look.
If you are in western NE (nearer to NY) there are a couple of places in the Hudson Valley that restart them off the track (some from NY, some from NE or PA) and resell.
[QUOTE=RacetrackReject;7441106]
jlegriffith on this board retrains for CANTER Mid-Atlantic. I believe she is located in Delaware and could probably hook you up with someone reputable if she doesn’t have anything herself.
On facebook, search for Jessica Morthole.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I think she has a nice quiet 9-year-old named Rockin Fun for sale. No idea of pricing, but a very solid gentleman that looks like exactly what you need. Go get him!
Tebogo sport horses in VA does the let down and puts some miles on their OTTBs and they usually have a few to select from. Lovely place with lovely horses.
[QUOTE=Just Not Native;7441089]
Where would one look for a retrained OTTB or Throughbred mare or gelding for the intermediated older (55) rider.
Would also be open to Appendix QH.
I’m interested in doing low level dressage, hunter paces etc. A safe horse that is forward, but not hot or crazy… Does such a beast exist? Looking because my current mare is nearing retirement… She’s the best![/QUOTE]
Far be it for me to steer someone away from giving an OTTB a second career, but is there any chance you’re of a size to ride a pony?
Wynn Norman posts here. Some of her ponies are indeed forward, sensible, athletic, and absolutely a pleasure to ride.
She’s recently relocated to N.J.
It might be worthwhile to make a trip to a more eventer-dense area to look at multiple horses. When I had one for sale in the fall, we had a couple of people from NE who came to look at him as part of a big horse shopping trip to the area (as a matter of fact he ended up in Vermont). Of course now everyone is in Aiken, which is a much further trip!
There is this guy from last year still on Canter and in MA. I’ve seen video of him and he does seem very quiet and sweet; nice mover and is quite pretty: http://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-821523
An Alphabet Soup son, he raced 41 times but allegedly retired sound and has clean legs.
