Thoroughbred

Overview

The Thoroughbred is the racehorse of Britain and Ireland, and its influence has spread worldwide. The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association says selective breeding has produced a horse whose racing ability over distances from five furlongs (about 1,000 metres) to four miles and more exceeds that of any other breed. Thoroughbreds have also excelled in many other equestrian disciplines, both as pure-breds and when crossed with other breeds.

Unlike most breeds on this site, the Thoroughbred has no breed standard for height, colour or conformation. A horse is a Thoroughbred because of its pedigree: it is registered in the General Stud Book.

History

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association dates the breed to the 17th century, when stallions from the Middle East were mated with British mares. The Arab Horse Society notes that the modern Thoroughbred descends from three Arabian stallions imported into England: the Godolphin Arabian, the Byerley Turk and the Darley Arabian.

Much of what is known about the breed's origins is owed to James Weatherby, Secretary to the Jockey Club. In 1791 he produced the first General Stud Book, identifying around 400 horses as the foundation of the breed. Weatherbys has kept the General Stud Book ever since. It is the only verified record of Thoroughbreds in Great Britain and Ireland, and a modern Thoroughbred's pedigree can be traced back at least 25 generations. Many other countries started their own stud books from horses largely descended from Weatherby's original work.

The breed today

• Registration: Weatherbys registers every Thoroughbred in Great Britain and Ireland and issues its passport.
• Birthday: every Thoroughbred in the Northern Hemisphere has an official birthday of 1 January, whatever its actual foaling date. A foal becomes a yearling on the 1 January after it is born.
• Breeding: a mare is pregnant for about 11 months.

Life in racing

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), the charity for the retraining and rehoming of former racehorses, describes what a racehorse's life is like. That background explains a lot about how a former racehorse behaves afterwards.

• Flat racehorses are broken in at around 18 months, and are already used to rugs, shoeing and being handled by many people.
• Racing yards run to a strict routine from first light to after dark, usually with a quiet period in the early afternoon so the horses can rest. Each horse is generally exercised for one to one and a half hours a day.
• Most racehorses get three to four feeds a day of a high-starch, high-protein racing diet. It is often hard to get a fit horse in training to eat enough fibre.
• Racehorses hack to and from the gallops on a loose rein in a string, following the horse in front. On the gallops, the rider shortening the reins or taking a contact tells the horse to go faster.
• More racehorses are turned out than in the past, but not for long, so all-day turnout will be new to a former racehorse.

After racing

RoR says the commonest reason a racehorse retires is that it is too slow, not injury or illness, and that retired racehorses can give many years of enjoyment to new owners.

What new owners often find:

• Generally good to load, clip and shoe, with good stable manners.
• Not used to being tied up outside a stable, or to standing still while a rider mounts.
• Some aids mean the opposite to a racehorse. Shortening the reins and leaning forward can mean "go faster", and the horse may not understand a contact as a riding horse does.
• Used to working in company, so hacking out alone may be unsettling at first.
• A muscular body built for racing, which changes shape with retraining. Expect to need a saddle fitter more than once in the first few months. RoR recommends a numnah because the Thoroughbred back is very sensitive.
• RoR describes the Thoroughbred as very sensitive and quick-minded, and often more prone to showing signs of stress than other breeds, especially if bored. Leaving the training yard turns its life upside down, so give it time to adjust. Patience is key.

Health and management

Thoroughbreds are thin-skinned. RoR notes that a former racehorse is likely to need rugging, even in the stable. The government's code of practice for horse welfare names Thoroughbreds as an example of less hardy breeding: they may need stabling or other shelter from cold and damp, and a rug in cold, wet weather. Most former racehorses are stabled through the winter, and RoR recommends a deep, dust-free bed to protect the airways, feet and joints.

RoR advises a full check-up with a vet, farrier, equine dental technician and a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor when a horse leaves racing, ideally from people experienced with former racehorses. Common points are:

• Injuries: the commonest are sprains to the tendons and ligaments of the front legs. Most recover with rest and rehabilitation, and the horse can go on to less strenuous work.
• Gastric ulcers: RoR says ulcers are common in racehorses. Signs include a dull coat, loss of condition, grumpiness and sensitivity around the girth. A diet higher in forage and fibre helps, but talk to your vet about treatment.
• Condition: a horse that doesn't put on weight within a few weeks of leaving racing should have a worm count, and ulcers should be ruled out. Most thrive with a calmer life, more individual attention and a change of diet.
• Vaccinations: check that flu vaccinations have not lapsed.

See the care guide for finer-coated horses for shelter, rugs and winter weight.