I think AnAmericanMother knows something of t-breds from the track. I know some people who are happy with theirs, after some initial training. They don't come off the track knowing anything but how to run, so you have to either be skilled, or willing to spend some money with a trainer who can basically start over with their saddle work.
I would add another thought to your mix... if you are seriously thinking about adoption of a horse in need rather than purchase of a horse...
If you are familiar with the menopause drug Premarin, (made from pregnant mare urine) there are many many adult mares and weanling foals that are side effects of this 'industry' and are put up for adoption if they are lucky. Many are papered, but some are better handled than others, so again, it depends on your skill level whether you would be better buying a horse or adopting one of those. But like the horses off the track, they are deserving of rescue to good homes.
Welcome.
Hi,
I don't know anything about adopting them, but I think someone here does. What is your experience level, how old is your daughter, how much room do you have? :)
You may be looking at adopting a horse with physical problems which would make riding difficult. I'd be really interested in hearing what you find out.
I have had experience riding and training three horses off the track - two T'breds and one QH. The QH was fine, although he was a bit of a goof and dumb as a bag of rocks. Oddly enough, the two T'breds were both very quiet.
What you have to remember is that they are trained to run and run as fast as they can, and their response to any unsettling situation will be to hit the afterburners. One of the T'breds was carrying a relatively inexperienced rider a couple of weeks ago, she lost her balance over a crossrail and he panicked and ran, dumping her into the fence at the end of the ring. And this like I said is a dead quiet horse.
I was one of the first riders to back him and he is extremely quiet as a general rule, but I did notice a couple of problems that seem to come with the territory. He's awfully one-sided, because all he's ever done is gallop around to the left. It takes all my skill to get him to take his right lead, and he was stiff as a board on that side to start with (he's getting more supple, but it is very hard work.) Also you have to retrain them to the bit, because a good hard grip to them means "run faster!" Using lots of half halts and again lots of suppling exercises is essential. Until they get supple, they can't jump worth a hill of beans. He's starting to soften and he trusts me at the fences, but he's not jumping in rhythm yet.
Make sure he's sound, and make sure he's quiet, those are the main things.