05 Aug 2026
•
By Buy That Horse
•
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Bringing a Thoroughbred Home: Understanding Life on the South African Racetrack and What to Expect After Retirement
One of the biggest mistakes new owners make when purchasing an off-the-track Thoroughbred is expecting the horse to behave like a showjumper, dressage horse, or pleasure horse from day one.
One of the biggest mistakes new owners make when purchasing an off-the-track Thoroughbred is expecting the horse to behave like a showjumper, dressage horse, or pleasure horse from day one.
The reality is that racehorses are trained for a very specific job. Their daily routines, feeding programmes, exercise schedules, handling methods, and overall management are often very different from what most sport horse owners are used to.
Understanding these differences can help create a smoother transition and set both horse and owner up for success.
A Thoroughbred’s Daily Routine on the Racetrack
South African racing yards operate with efficiency and consistency.
Many racehorses begin their day long before sunrise. Depending on the training centre, horses may be exercised between 4:00 am and 8:00 am while temperatures are cooler and tracks are quieter.
A typical day may include:
Early morning feed
Saddling and exercise
Walking, trotting, cantering, or fast work
Cooling down
Grooming
Veterinary monitoring
Afternoon feed
Evening feed
Racehorses thrive on routine and predictability. Most know exactly when feeding time is, when work is expected, and when they will return to their stable.
They Are Used to Working in Groups
One of the first things many new owners notice is that retired racehorses often become anxious when separated from other horses.
This is completely normal.
Racehorses commonly:
Walk to the track together
Warm up together
Canter together
Gallop in pairs or groups
Return to the yard together
Many have spent years working alongside other horses every day. When they suddenly find themselves alone in an arena, some can become unsettled or distracted. This behaviour is not usually naughtiness—it is simply what they have been conditioned to expect.
Mounting Can Be an Adjustment
Many racehorses are mounted while moving. On the racetrack, a rider may receive a leg up while the horse continues walking forward. The horse is not necessarily expected to stand quietly at a mounting block for several minutes.
As a result, some retired racehorses:
Walk off during mounting
Fidget while being mounted
Anticipate moving immediately after the rider gets on
This behaviour is often a result of training rather than poor manners. With patience and consistency, most Thoroughbreds learn to stand quietly.
Circles Can Be Surprisingly Difficult
When first introduced to arena work, many Thoroughbreds struggle with:
Small circles
Tight turns
Maintaining rhythm
Carrying balance through corners
Working in a consistent outline
This does not mean the horse is unsound or poorly trained. It simply means they are learning an entirely new way of using their bodies.
They Have Been Trained to Move Forward
Racehorses are rewarded for forward movement. Retraining focuses on teaching:
Balance before speed
Relaxation before impulsion
Understanding of new aids
Patience and self-carriage
Their Diets Are Often Very Different
Performance racehorses are elite athletes. Many South African racehorses receive carefully formulated feeding programmes that may include:
High-quality lucerne
Oats
Racing concentrates
Performance feeds
Supplements
Electrolytes
Oils
Many retired racehorses benefit from increased forage, reduced concentrates, slower-release energy sources and gradual dietary adjustments. Any feeding changes should be introduced slowly.
Fitness Does Not Equal Strength
A Thoroughbred may arrive looking incredibly fit, but race fitness is different from the strength required for collection, jumping and dressage. Retraining develops a completely different set of muscles.
They Are Often Extremely Well Handled
Throughout their racing careers they experience:
Daily grooming
Veterinary examinations
Farrier visits
Transport
Busy environments
Multiple handlers
Many are remarkably professional and adaptable once they understand what is being asked of them.
Giving Them Time to Adjust
A Thoroughbred leaving the racetrack is changing careers. They are learning:
New routines
New feeding schedules
New turnout arrangements
New riding expectations
New environments
Some adapt within weeks, while others may take several months to fully settle. Patience, consistency and realistic expectations are often the key ingredients for success.
The Reward of Retraining
The qualities that make Thoroughbreds successful racehorses often make them exceptional riding horses. Their intelligence, athleticism, bravery and willingness to work can create incredible partnerships when given the opportunity to learn a new job.
With the right education, management and patience, many South African Thoroughbreds go on to enjoy long and successful second careers in showjumping, dressage, eventing, endurance, showing and pleasure riding.
At Buy That Horse, we believe that understanding a horse’s previous training is one of the most important steps in creating a successful partnership. Every retired racehorse deserves a fair opportunity to learn, adapt and thrive in its next home.
https://www.buythathorse.com/
The reality is that racehorses are trained for a very specific job. Their daily routines, feeding programmes, exercise schedules, handling methods, and overall management are often very different from what most sport horse owners are used to.
Understanding these differences can help create a smoother transition and set both horse and owner up for success.
A Thoroughbred’s Daily Routine on the Racetrack
South African racing yards operate with efficiency and consistency.
Many racehorses begin their day long before sunrise. Depending on the training centre, horses may be exercised between 4:00 am and 8:00 am while temperatures are cooler and tracks are quieter.
A typical day may include:
Early morning feed
Saddling and exercise
Walking, trotting, cantering, or fast work
Cooling down
Grooming
Veterinary monitoring
Afternoon feed
Evening feed
Racehorses thrive on routine and predictability. Most know exactly when feeding time is, when work is expected, and when they will return to their stable.
They Are Used to Working in Groups
One of the first things many new owners notice is that retired racehorses often become anxious when separated from other horses.
This is completely normal.
Racehorses commonly:
Walk to the track together
Warm up together
Canter together
Gallop in pairs or groups
Return to the yard together
Many have spent years working alongside other horses every day. When they suddenly find themselves alone in an arena, some can become unsettled or distracted. This behaviour is not usually naughtiness—it is simply what they have been conditioned to expect.
Mounting Can Be an Adjustment
Many racehorses are mounted while moving. On the racetrack, a rider may receive a leg up while the horse continues walking forward. The horse is not necessarily expected to stand quietly at a mounting block for several minutes.
As a result, some retired racehorses:
Walk off during mounting
Fidget while being mounted
Anticipate moving immediately after the rider gets on
This behaviour is often a result of training rather than poor manners. With patience and consistency, most Thoroughbreds learn to stand quietly.
Circles Can Be Surprisingly Difficult
When first introduced to arena work, many Thoroughbreds struggle with:
Small circles
Tight turns
Maintaining rhythm
Carrying balance through corners
Working in a consistent outline
This does not mean the horse is unsound or poorly trained. It simply means they are learning an entirely new way of using their bodies.
They Have Been Trained to Move Forward
Racehorses are rewarded for forward movement. Retraining focuses on teaching:
Balance before speed
Relaxation before impulsion
Understanding of new aids
Patience and self-carriage
Their Diets Are Often Very Different
Performance racehorses are elite athletes. Many South African racehorses receive carefully formulated feeding programmes that may include:
High-quality lucerne
Oats
Racing concentrates
Performance feeds
Supplements
Electrolytes
Oils
Many retired racehorses benefit from increased forage, reduced concentrates, slower-release energy sources and gradual dietary adjustments. Any feeding changes should be introduced slowly.
Fitness Does Not Equal Strength
A Thoroughbred may arrive looking incredibly fit, but race fitness is different from the strength required for collection, jumping and dressage. Retraining develops a completely different set of muscles.
They Are Often Extremely Well Handled
Throughout their racing careers they experience:
Daily grooming
Veterinary examinations
Farrier visits
Transport
Busy environments
Multiple handlers
Many are remarkably professional and adaptable once they understand what is being asked of them.
Giving Them Time to Adjust
A Thoroughbred leaving the racetrack is changing careers. They are learning:
New routines
New feeding schedules
New turnout arrangements
New riding expectations
New environments
Some adapt within weeks, while others may take several months to fully settle. Patience, consistency and realistic expectations are often the key ingredients for success.
The Reward of Retraining
The qualities that make Thoroughbreds successful racehorses often make them exceptional riding horses. Their intelligence, athleticism, bravery and willingness to work can create incredible partnerships when given the opportunity to learn a new job.
With the right education, management and patience, many South African Thoroughbreds go on to enjoy long and successful second careers in showjumping, dressage, eventing, endurance, showing and pleasure riding.
At Buy That Horse, we believe that understanding a horse’s previous training is one of the most important steps in creating a successful partnership. Every retired racehorse deserves a fair opportunity to learn, adapt and thrive in its next home.
https://www.buythathorse.com/