Horse · England
Thoroughbred
also: TB / OTTB (off-the-track Thoroughbred)
Equiteca Editorial · Reviewed 2026-08-30 · 3 sources
The Thoroughbred is the world's premier racing breed, developed in 17th and 18th century England from native mares crossed with three imported foundation stallions: the Byerley Turk, the Darley Arabian, and the Godolphin Arabian. Every registered Thoroughbred traces to those three sires. Tall, lean, and long-legged, it is built for sustained speed over distance and gallops faster over a mile than any other breed. Beyond the track it succeeds in eventing, jumping, and dressage, and thousands of retired racehorses find second careers as sport and pleasure mounts. Most stand 15.2 to 17 hands and weigh roughly 450 to 550 kg.
At a glance
Most stand 16 to 16.2 hands; tall, lean, and long-legged with a deep girth for lung capacity.
Temperament
Suited to
On price
Off-the-track Thoroughbreds often sell for 1,000 to 5,000 USD as retraining projects; proven sport horses run higher, and elite racing yearlings at auction reach six and seven figures.
Care needs
Thoroughbreds are higher-maintenance than most stock breeds. Many are hard keepers with fast metabolisms and need calorie-dense feed and quality forage to hold weight, plus turnout and steady work to manage their energy. They tend toward thin soles and weaker feet, so attentive farriery and often front shoes are the norm, along with the standard vaccination, dental, and deworming schedule.
Common health issues
Thin soles and weak feet
The breed is prone to flat, thin-soled feet that bruise easily and can struggle to hold a shoe. Regular farriery every 5 to 6 weeks, and often shoes or pads, keep many Thoroughbreds sound.
Gastric ulcers
Common in racing and hard-working Thoroughbreds because of stress, grain-heavy diets, and stall time. Signs include poor appetite, weight loss, and irritability; management centers on more forage, turnout, and veterinary treatment when needed.
OTTB retraining needs
Off-the-track Thoroughbreds are fit, forward, and trained only to race, so they need months of patient retraining to relax, carry a rider, and learn new cues. Let-down time and a knowledgeable rider make the difference.
Colors
bay, chestnut, brown, black, gray, roan
Questions people ask
Is a Thoroughbred a good first horse?
Usually not for a true beginner. They are athletic and sensitive, and an off-the-track horse in particular needs an experienced rider. A calm, fully retrained Thoroughbred can suit a confident intermediate rider well.
What does OTTB mean?
OTTB stands for off-the-track Thoroughbred, a horse retired from racing and being retrained for a new career such as eventing, jumping, or trail. They are affordable to buy but need time and skill to bring along.
Why do Thoroughbreds have foot problems?
Many are bred with thin soles and shelly hoof walls, and hard early track work adds wear. Good nutrition, regular farrier care, and often front shoes or pads keep most of them comfortable and working.
Are Thoroughbreds prone to ulcers?
Yes. Stress, grain-heavy diets, and stall confinement make gastric ulcers common, especially in racing horses. More turnout, constant forage, and veterinary treatment reduce the risk.
Keep reading
Sources
Every figure on this page traces to one of these. We cite registries, associations, government and veterinary bodies, and published cost surveys - not other blogs.
- [1]The American Stud Book Registry- The Jockey ClubregistryRegistry for North American Thoroughbreds and keeper of the American Stud Book; every Thoroughbred traces to three foundation sires.
- [2]Thoroughbred Horses- Oklahoma State University, Breeds of LivestockgovBreed profile, height and conformation, and the foundation-sire history of the Thoroughbred.
- [3]Reduce Your Horse's Gastric Ulcer Risk- American Association of Equine PractitionersassociationGastric ulcers affect up to 90 percent of racehorses, the veterinary basis for flagging ulcers as a Thoroughbred health issue.