A new one on me... 5 stage vetting and the vet will

I think it's a great idea. But imagine if he falls off and can't work- he's quite brave to be offering to be popping on random horses! Not sure I like the 'don't talk before the vetting' though, that sounds a bit pompous.
 
I'd be delighted to find a vet who is an experienced high level showjumper and willing to ride a horse I'm having vetted - think of all the specific useful things he might spot.
 
Times change! it used to be normal for the vet to ride the horse where i was and having 4 or 5 different vets in the area who would all ride as part of the vetting would make me think it would have been the same in other places as well. About time it happened again as there could be more horses found to be unsuitable for the purpose if the vet feels something that the rider is clever enough to hide also years ago the vet would sometimes warn a purchaser that the horse was not suitable for a novice if they thought they were inexperienced! imagine if one tried to do that nowadays :eek:
 
Mmm .. Interesting thread. I have a horse care manual that was printed some thirty years ago and in the buying section it advises having your vet ride prior to purchase.

I'd also like to see a vet on a shetland XD
 
Yes, it was common for vets to ride the horse at the vetting years ago.
The purchaser would often ask for the vet to ride, as part of the vetting process was for the vet to give an opinion as to whether the horse was fit for the purpose of purchase. I.e. was it really going to make a show jumper at x height ? Also the vet used to ask the purchaser to ride the horse so the vet could comment on whether the horse was suitable for you. Imagine that these days !
Can't remember whether PSD used to ride (for those of us in the south) but he certainly asked me to ride the horse once when I was the purchaser (I was ok lol!)
 
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Not my vet is it?!

First horse I bought he rode because we had a couple of concerns from when I first tried her (wind and briefly bridle lame first time I tried her) and as has been said it is possible to feel more than you see.

Second horse I bought, same vet, but no concerns that needed checking so he didn't ride.

I've known him ride many horses for settings over the tear, but generally after the owner has done most of it. I did hear of one memorable occasion though, long time ago, when the pony being vetted had no saddle or rider so to be thorough he hopped on bareback and it promptly dumped him!
 
I only read the first couple of pages but I'm shocked that some people think you can only see lameness and not feel lameness. My word. I can feel the most subtle of things while on board. Put that together with what you're watching and you have a much better picture. Also horses can be fine without a rider and show slight issues while under saddle. And no not from the rider.

Terri
 
horsesatemymoney said:
I think it's a great idea. But imagine if he falls off and can't work- he's quite brave to be offering to be popping on random horses! Not sure I like the 'don't talk before the vetting' though, that sounds a bit pompous.
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Well if he falls off, I'm sure the nearest private hospital will fix him good and proper :D

He could get kicked in the face standing next to the horse.
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
I only read the first couple of pages but I'm shocked that some people think you can only see lameness and not feel lameness. My word. I can feel the most subtle of things while on board. Put that together with what you're watching and you have a much better picture. Also horses can be fine without a rider and show slight issues while under saddle. And no not from the rider.

Terri
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That's what I thought too... Better to FEEL how a horse is moving IMO...
 
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