5 stage vetting, lunged only?

[SadKen]

Just got me thinking. When I had my lad vetted, I had a 5 stage and was clear about wanting him as a riding horse. He was 5 at the time (this was almost a year ago). The vet called me after and explained that he'd only been able to watch the horse on the lunge as the owner forgot the tack. Now I should obviously have said something at the time, but didn't and as it turns out he is fine (if a little girthy and sticks his head up when the saddle is put on. Chiro has been and says there are no problems and he's seen a vet too). I just wondered whether anyone else had had this with a 5 stage. Should I have made a fuss and insisted it be done again ridden? Just a discussion topic, he really is ok, just thought I'd ask for opinions!

 

[Rebels]

My vendor asked to lunge only as young horse came out of box like psycho on speed. I was happy as knew vendor but vet insisted on ridden so heart rate was very high when vendor eventually pulled horse up!

 

[bluewhippet]

With the first horse I was going to buy, the owner refused to ride in front of vet for vetting, said she hated riding in front of people as had lost her nerve, I couldn't be there - all a bit dodgy - and he failed the vetting at the first stage.

Very glad he did, as it meant that I now have my lovely boy....I found him a week after and his owner was happy to ride and I was there - all a lot more above board!

 

[DabDab]

I recently sold a very fit thoroughbred and I asked the vet if we could lunge him because it would be easier to get him blowing, but the vet said he wanted him under saddle so on I got. Well, 20 minutes of solid cantering around the school later he finally allowed us to stop (obviously walked and trotted first)! In fact the whole vetting was a marathon (over 2 hrs in total) - the buyer certainly got her money's worth.

 

[Bobbly]

During the 5 stage vetting of my horse for sale I was asked to ride him, which I did, when the vet stopped us to check the heart rate and breathing I had to hold my breath as long as I could as I wasn't sure if it was me he could hear and not the horse! (He passed)

 

[zoelouisem]

I've known a horse to have back problems and it only showed up as lameness with saddle and rider on so yes if I was paying for vetting I would want it done ridden.
Even when my daughters first 11h pony was vetted he made her do half the work ridden to get the heart beat going then he let me finish it off by lunging when 6 year old daughter was knackkered