CANTER
Mid Atlantic
Acquisition Tips
If you are interested in obtaining a retired race horse, please follow the steps below to acquire a horse from the track:
1.Register your interest in a horse with CANTER on the Horses Wanted page. Please include all details such as sex, age, color, intended use, and your price range. Remember that you will not find "the 16.2 hand horse that will vet out for jumping at $800." All of these horses require significant retraining and patience. THEY ARE NOT FOR BEGINNERS!
2. Your interest will be placed on a list that CANTER maintains during the race season. This list is distributed to the trainers at the race track. If a trainer thinks that he/she has a horse that would fit your interests and needs, they will contact you to set up an appointment to view horses that they are trying to place.
3. After registering your interest, visit the Horse Listings page to see what race track trainers are currently attempting to place. If you end up acquiring a horse -- or decide that you are no longer interested -- please e-mail CANTER and ask for your name to be removed from the list so that trainers will no longer contact you directly.
4. If a trainer calls you with a horse or you find one on the Horse Listings page that interests you, set up an appointment. MAKE A DEFINITE DATE AND TIME TO MEET. Horses can usually be found at Charles Town Racetrack or on nearby farms.
5. When you arrive at the Security Gate, ask the guard to page the trainer/owner to sign you in. You cannot be on the track without an escort unless you have a track license. PLEASE BE ON TIME! The trainers are hard at work and schedule time out of their day to meet with you. Do not be discourteous and make them wait around for you. IF YOU MUST CANCEL, PLEASE CALL THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE OTHER APPOINTMENTS UP. I suggest asking for an emergency contact number in case you can not meet them.
6. There are no commissions or other fees involved. You are dealing directly with the trainer or owner. Due to the fast-paced nature of racing, horses turn over quickly. Many times a horse that is available will only be there for a few days. Be prepared to make a purchase while visiting the track. This includes having the cash on hand and the trailer ready for bringing the horse home.
7. Bring an experienced horse person such as a trainer with you. You will need this person's expertise in evaluating the horse while the horse is led out of its stall, trotted up and down the lane, stood for close inspection, etc. You may or may not be allowed to ride the horse. This depends on many factors including:
* The race trainer -- some will not allow it because of liabilities/others encourage it to transition the horse
* Your own riding abilities -- be honest with yourself. These are racehorses at this point meaning that "Whoa" to them means stopping in half a mile.
* Please make note that you will NOT be able to see the horse cantered or moving at free will, as there are no turn-out type area's on the track.
8. If you wish to have a vet check, it is usually necessary for it to occur right on the race track grounds. Please bring your own veterinarian, or arrange for a local vet to meet you there. Vet numbers can be found on the Veterinary Team and Track Information pages.
9. Let other trainers at the track know you are looking for a horse. Do some additional shopping before finalizing your acquisition. The best time to schedule appointments to meet with trainers on the track is from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, as most trainers are on the grounds during these times. Saturdays and Sundays are great days to go as long as you go in the mornings before live racing and, in fact, are better than some of the midweek days. The worst time to schedule a viewing time is during the afternoons and evenings when live racing is going on.
If you need to trailer your purchase home, visit our resources page.
Still have questions? Please see our FAQ page.
PLEASE NOTE THAT CANTER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE CONDITION OF THE HORSE AT ANY TIME - THE NEW and OLD OWNERS CARRY FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TRANSITION, TRANSPORTATION, CARE, AND SOUNDNESS OF THE HORSE.