Choosing an Ex-Racehorse

Before you take the plunge, learn what to be wary of as well as what to expect
When I bought my retired Thoroughbred racehorse, Dorado, I did just about everything wrong: I didn’t have a history on him, I didn’t know how old he was, and I didn’t have my veterinarian perform a prepurchase exam. But I’d fallen in love. Nine years later, he’s 22 going on 5, and although he’s still in work, he requires regular (and expensive) veterinary care to help manage the lasting effects of injuries he sustained during his six years on the track.
The bottom line here? I got lucky! My horse has stayed sound with this maintenance, helped me become a better rider and horsewoman, and taught me just how important it is to carefully manage every aspect of your horse’s health care program. But there’s an easier way to get the ex-racehorse of your dreams. Here, we’ll get you started on the correct path to choosing an off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) or other retired racehorse, and our sources will share some important points to consider when evaluating prospects.
Why Do Horses Retire?
Horses’ racing careers end for a variety of reasons. Some have had successful runs, and their owners decide they’ve had enough. Others just aren’t fast or interested enough in racing to make training efforts and expenses worthwhile. And still others retire due to injury
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