Has anyone ever adopted a standardbred?

[MsWiggi]

Hi,
I'm looking into adopting one. If anyone has adopted one let me know what to expect, how difficult it is. I hear they actually have wonderful temperments, much calmer than T-breds. But I've never owned one so I don't know.

[grinner]

Uh... help us out. What is a standardbred? A horse? Dog?

[abbadon]

Horse....dogs are pedigree....Horses are T-bred..:)

[grinner]

D'oh

[MsWiggi]

Grinner,
a standardbred is a breed of horse, they're mainly used as pacers and trotters, for racing (they pull the little carts at the racetrack) A t-bred, I was using as an abbreviation for thoroughbred, which is another type of horse. Thoroughbreds are the race horses you mainly see at the racetrack.

[UTChick]

Haven't had any experience in the adoption realm, but as a breed, they are much saner than Thoroughbreds. How much "horse experience" do you have? That matters more than the breed type. Any horse, in any situation can be abused - you may come across behaviors reflecting that. Do you work with a trainer? What style of riding do you do? Have you driven?

If you get a horse of the track - they may never have been ridden or not ridden much - they'll be used to driving. Do you know the needs of a gaited horse? (particularly shoeing)

It's good that you're doing research. See if you can visit a Standard bred farm. Ask questions - contact the breed registry - they should be able to get you alot of information on the bred & people who can advise you.

Wish you well - let us know how you make out. Keep an eye on our PMU thread in the campaign section - There's a group of scapers that's been raising funds to save the PMU foals. Check it out!

[Paul Cousins]

Hi,
I'm looking into adopting one. If anyone has adopted one let me know what to expect, how difficult it is. I hear they actually have wonderful temperments, much calmer than T-breds. But I've never owned one so I don't know.

If you are talking about getting a horse, not everyone has $10,000 to $15,000 dollars to burn on buying one and taking care of one, let alone the time for such things.

[Wolli World]

MsWiggi, try contacting these guys: http://www.nyhr.org

Even if they don't have what you're looking for, I bet they can put you in contact with the right people. They're located in New York too. Good luck!

[Third EYe]

A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
And no one can talk to a horse of course
That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.

Go right to the source and ask the horse
He'll give you the answer that you'll endorse.
He's always on a steady course.
Talk to Mr. Ed.

People yakkity yak a streak and waste your time of day
But Mister Ed will never speak unless he has something to say.


A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
And this one'll talk 'til his voice is hoarse.
You never heard of a talking horse?

Well listen to this.

I am Mister Ed.

[StarsGoBlue]

If you are talking about getting a horse, not everyone has $10,000 to $15,000 dollars to burn on buying one and taking care of one, let alone the time for such things.

And if some people would READ instead of getting all pissy, they would see that she is talking about ADOPTING a Standardbred. :rolleyes:

The cold hard facts are that the horse racing industry, as other horse industries, breeds far more horses each year than are successful at the track. Most of these horses are sold for slaughter as horsemeat sold to Europe for human consumption.

Luckier horses are adopted out for little more than the slaughter price---a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on condition and weight---and become pleasure horses, therapy horses, sport/eventing horses such as those that represent the US in international competitions, etc.

Ms. Wiggi, I've heard that in contrast to Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds come off the track much saner and less "hot" and settle quickly into a pleasure-horse lifestyle. But because of their natural tendency to favor trotting (pacing is an artificial gait the horse is force-taught through the use of special harness), and because of their unique conformation (the best are bred "downhill," with their hips significantly higher than their shoulders) they might not be the most comfortable ride.

If you like, I can direct you to some equine message boards where you can ask more about them. :)

[Wolli World]

Yes, the site I recommended above is a horse RESCUE. They seemed very knowledgeable and really interested in helping place the horses in the most compatible homes possible. I'm sure the messageboards Stars mentioned would be helpful too.

As for the other dumbass remarks in this thread - I was just trying to ignore them. :rolleyes:

[bubblez]

Hi,
I'm looking into adopting one. If anyone has adopted one let me know what to expect, how difficult it is. I hear they actually have wonderful temperments, much calmer than T-breds. But I've never owned one so I don't know.

:lol3: Wonderful temperments!? Careful... I got tattooed in the chest when I was 10 by one of these "mild" creatures. Steel-shod and all. Egyptian Ra. At least I had a decent "show and tell" for the next few weeks at school.

[MsWiggi]

Hi,

Thanks for all of the info, I've submitted an application to SRF adoptahorse.org.

And another thing, just because I'm asking questions about adopting horses does not mean I know nothing about horses nor do I have time or money. Adopting isn't just some cheap solution to getting a horse. Often times they are much more expensive care wise as well as time wise. I do in fact know what I am doing, I've owned horses since I was 8, I've trained and "broken" a number of horses.


ya know some of you make me mad!

thanks again though!

[Paul Cousins]

And if some people would READ instead of getting all pissy, they would see that she is talking about ADOPTING a Standardbred. :rolleyes:

The cold hard facts are that the horse racing industry, as other horse industries, breeds far more horses each year than are successful at the track. Most of these horses are sold for slaughter as horsemeat sold to Europe for human consumption.

And you should stop believing PETA propaganda.

I know people who have horses and the cost of up-keep on them alone is around $2500.00 dollar a year easy. That is just listing feed, riding equipment, grooming equipment and riding lessons

Also, if a horse does well at the tracks, it is usually sold or rented to other horse owners for breeding.

[Wolli World]

Also, if a horse does well at the tracks, it is usually sold or rented to other horse owners for breeding.
And apparently, PC, you don't do your homework...

From the USA Today (which I don't think generally spouts PETA propaganda) :no:

Ferdinand, the Kentucky Derby champion in 1986, comes to mind. Churchill Downs marks his esteemed place in Derby history with a plaque. Ferdinand was a strong, beautiful champion who was sold to a Japanese group to be put out to stud, as many former champions are.
Ultimately, though, Ferdinand's remarkable run ended in a slaughterhouse. Two years ago, he was killed and presumably sold for human consumption.
Read the full article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2004-05-12-zito_x.htm

PC, if you don't agree with something someone is doing on this board, unless it's personally affecting you in someway, why don't you just butt out? Why does it bother you if someone has the time and money to take care of a horse? Sheesh! :irked:

[StarsGoBlue]

And you should stop believing PETA propaganda.

I know people who have horses and the cost of up-keep on them alone is around $2500.00 dollar a year easy. That is just listing feed, riding equipment, grooming equipment and riding lessons

Also, if a horse does well at the tracks, it is usually sold or rented to other horse owners for breeding.

As was stated above, YOU should do YOUR homework. Why don't you check out the facts regarding how many Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are registered each year with the Jockey Club and Standardbred associations?

The Thoroughbred crop each YEAR is between 30,000 and 50,000 foals... of those, a HANDFUL end up as top winners, a bunch of others as decent runners, some more as mediocre claimers who are run until they're too lame to do otherwise, and the majority don't make enough back to cover their upkeep.

Nowhere did I say horse slaughter was wrong, btw. If you read my post, you'll see that. What I *did* say was that there are simply far too many horses produced each year to be successful on the tracks. It's just finally being brought to the public's attention with the fate of a few well-known stallions, such as Ferdinand and Exceller.

Just because people in equine industries are concerned about the fate of surplus horses doesn't make them patsies for PETA.

And now... you're no longer worth my time. Have fun bitching away in your oh-so-mature fashion. :aok:


Good luck Ms. Wiggi! Let us know how the adoption goes! :D

[Paul Cousins]

Nowhere did I say horse slaughter was wrong, btw.
And when did I say you did?

[bubblez]

And another thing, just because I'm asking questions about adopting horses does not mean I know nothing about horses nor do I have time or money. Adopting isn't just some cheap solution to getting a horse. Often times they are much more expensive care wise as well as time wise. I do in fact know what I am doing, I've owned horses since I was 8, I've trained and "broken" a number of horses.


ya know some of you make me mad!

And precisely how many people here know of your past equine experience?
nay sic chou si mau fut