Recent content by Melody Grey

If his conformation is half reasonable, start him as your next eventer….and then if he’s not the one, you’ll have something backed, 4 years old with some education and ready to go on to a riding club/ low level eventing home? Keep the TB! 🥰

Sounds tricky. If you can afford and have facilities to turn away for 6-12 months, I’d do that, on Bute if needed. Barefoot rehab/ intuitive barefoot trimmer or really barefoot aware farrier, using hoof boots if needed. I’ve had MRIs done with animal friends/ E&L all pre-approved and without...

I’m glad things have moved on from wearing woolly jumpers on the yard- the worse material possible near hay/straw/ horsehair…makes me itch just thinking about it. Had to explain jockey skull chin cups and hooks to my (much) younger yard mate recently, and body protectors made from strips of...

Personally, I think the ground turning hard is far less likely the cause of footiness than the grass. ….take away the grass and you’ll hopefully find out (and hopefully avoid a full blown laminitis too!)

Forgive this sounding too obvious, have you tried him living out 24/7 if your location permits (not sure if you’re in the uk?) I had one as you describe with KS, ulcers etc and she did do much better out, appropriately rugged. She didn’t seem outwardly stressy either, but clearly must have been...

Understandable. I’d still look at vet notes first to establish there’s enough ‘imsurable’. You could also ask if the current owner has insurance and what their exclusions are? Sounds like a great prospect though!

I have no experience of PRE at all, but have heard they can be quite quirky. I agree that selling seems a good choice- could you try selling through PRE groups first to try to find someone experienced with them?

Admittedly, I’m biased, but a sensible OTTB could do that job for far less than the figures quoted here. Sensible buckle-end hackers do exist, I’ve come across plenty that just can’t be bothered and that are relatively good doers too. Having bought a horse years ago to lead from, go smaller...

Just found the bit re:laminitis. Might be worth checking when last front feet x-rays were and what they looked like?

Definitely sounds great if already doing the job you want. Playing devil’s advocate here- for that resume at that price, given age, I’m not sure I’d vet. As you say, there might be something and you could end up racking up instance exclusions? Obviously, not an issue if you don’t plan to insure...

Hay prices might have an impact here. We’ve made it through winter and there will be those thinking they don’t want that again!

I think it’s a line to let potential purchasers sell to just anyone and they’re going to try to ensure a good match for the horse. From past experience though, buyers can tell you all they like and then wonder why it’s gone wrong when they’ve kept the horse in for months on end!

Agreed- horse may grow into it more at the wither as they develop shoulder and top line…still room for growth at 6. Might be possible to shim up the front in the meantime. I think you look nicely in proportion OP and lovely horse!

Re: the ‘emergency’ clause- be careful. I asked my broker about this once and they said that some companies have stipulations about this….i.e ‘emergency driver’ must be someone with no driving penalties or claims within the last x number of years. I’d be worried about trying to use it for a test...

Great question- I have a box for sale at the moment and was wondering about this too. I’ve not driven those I’ve purchased, though have been out on runs with them with the owner driving. The viewers I’ve had so far haven’t expected to be able to drive it. I think if I was purchasing and...