Advice - lameness on vetting examination

[Martajac]

Hello,

Looking for advice, please. There's not many people I know I can ask about it really and it would be helpful to know other people's thoughts and experiences.

I'll try to be diplomatic and not reveal all details as I can't post anonymously.

We thought we've found a perfect first pony for my child. Unfortunately, there was a problem picked up on the vetting (5 stage). Pony was lame on one leg.

I genuinely believe the vendor was not aware of it. We were both shocked and devastated really. I actually cried a bit and have got a physical heartache... 😢 The pony seems to be one of these 'one in a million', truly perfect in every way.

The vet made it clear that he thinks the pony is not suitable for purchase and will not be able to do what is expected of it - my child wants to do a little bit of everything, pony club, fun rides, rallies, jumping etc

The vet was not there to determine the cause of lameness and some can of course be transient. Is it worth pursuing this - get a vet to to some diagnostic etc? I don't want to end up with a pony that can't do it's job and drown in vet bills etc. I won't get insurance - at all or on that one leg - I'm not sure. If it's transient - is it worth looking again at it in weeks/months time?

In case anyone wants more details - the pony is young (less than 10), I think the lameness became apparent after flexion tests and trot up on hard surface (so fairly quickly during the exam).

I know that some horses and ponies have problems, inc. lameness and are still able to perform, but I don't have the experience to manage this, so it would be a real gamble...

I would be most grateful for your thoughts. I appreciate none of is binding. Thank you!

 

[ester]

At this point it is up to the vendor to choose to investigate and until that has happened it’s impossible to make any informed decisions as to whether the purchase is an ok idea or a terrible one.

 

[twiggy2]

If the vet has made it clear they do not think the pony will be fit for thw job you want it for they may have some.idea what's causing.
I would walk away and not look back

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It isn't your responsibility to organise diagnostics and treatment, or even decide whether the pony needs them. That is the owner's prerogative. If you and your child really like the pony why not ask the vendor to contact you after their own vet has done whatever needs to be done, then you could re-vet and go from there.
However, I would continue viewing other ponies while that is going on, you never know, the perfect pony might just be waiting for you to go and try it.

 

[AdorableAlice]

In simplistic terms, you have paid your vet for their professional opinion and the vet has given you just that. An informed, professional opinion on the suitability, longevity and fit for purpose view of the pony.

You have a number of options.

Believe and trust in the professional you paid to advise you and walk away.

Tell the vendor you remain interested and request further information after the pony has been diagnosed/treated and has returned to soundness. Then you proceed with your own second vetting.

Negotiate a nominal price and buy the unsound pony in the hope you can get it sound and be prepared to cut your losses if you can't.

 

[Goldenstar]

That’s a pretty unequivocal statement from the vet .
I would look for another pony .

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

It isn't your responsibility to organise diagnostics and treatment, or even decide whether the pony needs them. That is the owner's prerogative. If you and your child really like the pony why not ask the vendor to contact you after their own vet has done whatever needs to be done, then you could re-vet and go from there.
However, I would continue viewing other ponies while that is going on, you never know, the perfect pony might just be waiting for you to go and try it.

In simplistic terms, you have paid your vet for their professional opinion and the vet has given you just that. An informed, professional opinion on the suitability, longevity and fit for purpose view of the pony.

You have a number of options.

Believe and trust in the professional you paid to advise you and walk away.

Tell the vendor you remain interested and request further information after the pony has been diagnosed/treated and has returned to soundness. Then you proceed with your own second vetting.

Negotiate a nominal price and buy the unsound pony in the hope you can get it sound and be prepared to cut your losses if you can't.

Totally agree with you both.

 

[Shay]

Its heart breaking when its kids ponies! Let the vendor investigate and keep looking. If you find something in the meantime then fine. If not re-vet when the pony has been seen and treated. PC DCs are a rgeat way to find good kids ponies. If you haven't investigated this route already then do. They know what the ponies are like in rallies, camps etc and you can get a really good honest view.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Some vetting vets are risk averse and all vetting vets can only comment on what they see on the day. In my experiences as a buyer and as a seller, I have had sensible and pragmatic vetting vets who are willing to engage in a proper discussion about options. Alternatively I have had refuse-to-discuss-anything vetting vets who just say 'pony is not suitable for purchase'. When you say the vet said he pony 'can't do the job' did he/she explain why not? Give any clues as to what he thought the issue was??

There are plenty of reasons for a failed vetting: There could be a minor, time limited injury which heals without any problem, there could be an issue that is readily treatable or there could be an issue that stops the pony passing a vetting but does not stop the pony happily doing a job. Of course there could also be a serious issue brewing too or a career threatening problem that has been picked up. But at this stage neither you, the seller nor even the vet know why the pony has failed.

If you really like the pony then I would contact the seller to ask what they are planning to do. If they are genuine they will be doing a lameness work up with their own vet. I'd wait to see the outcome of that. A genuine seller will let you speak to their own vet and a genuine vet will advise sensibly.

 

[gallopingby]

I would want more info from the vet as to their reasons for their decision that the Pony wasn’t suitable.
How experienced was the vet?
If it was purely on a flexion test l wouldn’t be concerned. Many years ago l had a pony l was buying vetted and surprisingly he ‘failed’ on a flexion test and l was told very firmly by an independent vet that he’d be unsuitable. We were all shocked, the seller agreed to reduce the price and suggested we had him on loan with a view to having him vetted by our own vet once he’d been in regular work for 6 weeks. They also agreed to pay the return transport costs if he failed the flexion test. We worked the pony normally and the senior equine vet duly arrived to check him and declared he couldn’t see a problem and the pony was perfectly sound. He was eventually sold to a family friend and continued working for the next 16 years without any problems.
Hope you are able to find a solution but do be careful, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than having a pony your child can’t have fun on.

 

[Martajac]

Many thanks for everyone for sharing your views and experiences. This has been very helpful. I have walked away from the deal, but have asked the vendor to let me know if the pony is investigated +/- treated in the future. As far as I'm aware the vet was quite an experienced professional. He didn't elaborate on suspected causes of the lameness & he's had a discussion with me rather than just giving a blank single statement of lack of suitability. Many thanks for all your time!