Horses - Dispelling The Thoroughbred Myth - Part 2

Dispelling the Thoroughbred Myth – Part 2

“1.TBs are no good for kids!
2. He's so loveable, not like a TB at all!
3. TBs ALWAYS need shoes.
4. Oh, he spooks like that because he's a TB.
5. You can never trust a TB.
6. TBs are just CRAZY!!!”  Submitted by Karen via FB.

The above phrases are from just ONE of the Angel Acres readers. Simply asking readers for their favorite (dripping with sarcasm) and most irritating, inaccurate statements about Thoroughbreds resulted in over 20 comments in just under an hour.

There are many common myths that are perceived as truth surrounding Thoroughbred horses. The majority of these myths stems  from a handful of rumors,  wives tales,  and a general lack of desire to dig deeper into the subject.

This article is the second of three that will lend itself to dispelling just a few of the top Thoroughbred myths.

Myth #2

All Thoroughbreds are crazy.

Truth #2

Thoroughbreds are one of the most intelligent breeds of horses.  Many people believe they are “crazy” because they try to compare an ex-race horse with other non-racing breeds in situations that an off-the-track Thoroughbred has yet to experience.  This does a huge disservice to the breed. Horses coming off of the track have not been to events, shows, parades, etc and cannot be expected to behave like a seasoned show horse of any breed.

Thoroughbreds, when handled properly by an experienced handler, can and do become amazing show horses, eventers, hunters, jumpers, polo ponies, the list goes on and on. Click here for a very nice site displaying tons of rehomed Thoroughbreds, big thanks to Mr. Barry Zuber for sending the link.

The vast majority of Thoroughbreds are handled on a daily basis and are ridden daily.  Many Thoroughbreds have more handling than most other breeds. They are taught to bathe early, load onto and off of a trailer, taught to stand for the vet and farrier, taught to wear a blanket and fly mask, and oodles of other track related work that does not happen in other disciplines. Many Thoroughbreds at age two have had more handling and different life experiences than most other horses have at age four.

Thoroughbreds are normally incredibly loyal, trustworthy, respectful, intelligent, and well-behaved. Emotional and kind they are very sensitive to their handlers emotional state; do not be surprised if you are feeling sad one day while handling your Thoroughbred to get a soft nuzzle of a velvet-nose just when you need it!  As in every breed there are those that live up to every single myth ever stated however; those horses are the rare exception and not the rule.

A great statement that sums up the Thoroughbred myth comes from lifelong horse woman, author and Thoroughbred lover Cathy Atkinson, "The main problem with Thoroughbreds is that they are not always ridden by people as intelligent and perceptive as they are".

To compare an off-the-track Thoroughbred to a school horse or show horse is like comparing apples and oranges, it’s not an accurate comparison.  This author could spend hours citing numerous examples dispelling the myths that have ultimately lead to Thoroughbreds being labeled as crazy, instead a short slide show of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and their owners has been added to this article for your review. The pictures in the slide show are prime examples of the incredible bonds Thoroughbreds and their humans can have, if only given the chance.

Remember this story the next time you hear someone start with, “Well, for a Thoroughbred” and help us dispel the myth!

Next Up - All Thoroughbreds are "hot".