Buyer question
Is a Thoroughbred horse good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Thoroughbred horse 2 out of 5 for beginners (needs a confident rider).
Source: the Thoroughbred horse page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Thoroughbred horse in the Animal Library
The detail
The racehorse, bred in England from Arabian, Barb and Turkoman stallions for speed over distance. Off the track it becomes an eventer, jumper or hunter, bold and athletic but often sensitive and quick to react.
- Temperament
- Sensitive, bold, forward
- Best fit
- Jumping, eventing, pros
- Trainability
- 4 out of 5 (Learns fast, needs tact)
- Upkeep
- 4 out of 5 (Hard keeper, thin soles)
- Energy
- 5 out of 5 (Hot, forward, fit)
What to weigh
Many Thoroughbreds are hard keepers with thin-soled feet, and ex-racehorses need months of retraining. Ulcers, old track injuries and a sensitive nature are common issues to plan around.