A short story about a lame horse

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TraLaLa

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(Also posted in New Lounge)

New here, and hoping some members may be able to offer a few insights into this. I bought a horse a few months ago from an established, reputable dealer. Horse went really nicely during both tryouts - fluid, loose movement. Passed vetting and blood sample was taken.

Rode for the first time a day after I got him home and he was really tight and stuffy - didn't want to go forward. I went down the saddle route (which took up loads of time and money and made little difference) but a few weeks ago he was lame behind (possibly hock/s).
My question is - would 'an established, reputable dealer' risk buting a horse up for a vetting? Do dealers know the optimum amount to use and the required 'timing' for it not to show up in blood tests?
Any thoughts most welcome
 
I had the same thing - horse passed 5 stage vetting, however now diagnosed with a serious SI problem which is chronic.

The thing is it cost £250 to get bloods analysed so that puts a lot of people off going that route, so my answer is 'yes' I think a dealer could use painkillers and hope to get away with it. My horse was definately given a calmer imo.
 
Horses didn't fall in lorry or anything? Managed to cope for so long but it's all now got too much? Have you had a chiropractute out?
 
TraLaLa said:
So I take it you didn't have the blood analysed?
Click to expand...

No I didn't because meanwhile I dug and found out history of the horse and felt so sorry I didn't want to send it back whether I had been conned or not. I think many dealers rely on people's heartstrings when they offer you to exchange horses. Clearly you start forming an attachment the moment you set eyes upon the horse and to have then taken it home etc.............very difficult!
 
I would personally get a physio out. They can take some muscle measurements and establish if there is a long standing problem. I rate my equine physio really highly. She instantly found the pelvic weakness in my horse - missed at his vetting!
 
The vet should keep the blood sample for 6 months (I think) as I had a similar experience and it didn't cost anywhere near £250 to have it analysed, more like £70. I suppose it must depend on how detailed the analysis - mine was tested for painkillers etc. I would certainly have it tested if you are still within the time limit as you would certainly have some come-back on the dealer if anything was found and you don't want to be left wondering 'what if?' In my case it came back negative so I wondered if herbal and/or joint supplements had been used and the lameness didn't show until the benefits had worn off. Nothing I could prove, so perhaps a more detailed blood analysis might have helped but I'm not sure if supplements would show up.
 
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