On the fence about ex-racehorses? Vet Kathy Duncan exposes some of the myths that surround the breed’s long-term health

Photos: Jon Stroud, Mick Atkins/Shutterstock.com. With thanks to XL Vets practice Heath Equine Veterinary Practice for their help with this feature, heathequinevet.co.uukxlvets.co.uk Photos: Jon Stroud, Mick Atkins/Shutterstock.com. With thanks to XL Vets practice Heath Equine Veterinary Practice for their help with this feature, heathequinevet.co.uukxlvets.co.uk

Our expert

Kathy Duncan BSc (Hons) BVMS Dipl ECVS MRCVS graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2009 and spent time working around the world before opening Heath Equine Veterinary Practice. Her interests lie in poor performance and airway disease in racehorses, and standing surgical procedures.

For every owner who swears by an ex-racehorse as their equine of choice, that’s another that’s sworn off them – most often citing a tendency to break as their reasoning. Known for their agility, athleticism and versatility, Thoroughbreds have a lot to give to a new owner – they’re a highly adaptable breed, proven by the variety of disciplines they can be retrained in, but is there any truth in the opinion that an ex-racer’s more fragile due to their early athletic career?

Taking on a retired racehorse isn’t too different from choosing a horse who’s competed in any other athletic discipline. However, since most racehorses are managed in a similar way, there are some common issues that arise when the retraining process starts. So, how can you separate fact from fiction when it comes to the long-term soundness of your potential new prospect? Let’s take a look at what you can expect long-term and also debunk some common misconceptions surrounding these horses.