Am I doing the right thing?

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littlelessbloom

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I recently had a horse vetted and it was stopped after 2 stage because the vet noticed that when he is trotting, he brings his hind legs out and round slightly - worse on the right than the left.

He said it could very well be a weakness thing, his way of going or it could be a problem, and the fact there’s a question mark is why he failed him. If he was 10 and in full work, he would’ve passed. He said it was aggravated by the flexions but that he was sound.

This horse is pretty weak, having only really hacked in the last 18 months. He is only 5. I am completely in love with this horse but am I doing the right thing by taking a massive punt on him and offering to buy for a vastly reduced price?
 
Lots of things make up this type of decision but the main thing is can you afford it as have enough spare cash to enter into what maybe ongoing situation of spending on vet’s and physiotherapists and perhaps a specialist farrier .
Have you the time and skills to develop a horse like this .
Do you have the right set up access to the best type of school surface .
Will you enjoy this type of thing it’s a commitment to sending your leisure time developing the horse rather than going jumping and doing stuff with your friends .

It could be a weakness thing but just as likely could be a lameness thing and for sure if the horse is moving like this he has pain or he’s going to have pain soon .
There’s no reason why a five year old who has been hacking should be that weak .
The horse really needs some diagnostics done .

I don’t think you should do it unless you have another horse and lots of time and money.
It’s extremely hard to walk away from a horse you have that instant sort of connection with but I think you should .
 
Possibly a punt depending on price. Is there a possibility of a really good vet physio looking at the horse?

I had an experience just yesterday where a physio and vets opinion differed in terms of prognosis. The physio was much more ‘in touch’ with muscle weakness and practical ways of working, whereas the vet was more in the camp of jabbing steroids. Vets are absolutely crucial, not denying that, but really excellent physios can have a more practical approach. Vets can only work with the tools (usually meds) they have and often assess on that basis…..physios have a different toolkit.
 
I’ve offered to pay half the price he is up for, with the explanation that he is a huge risk and will be difficult to insure.

He ticks every other box, which is why I haven’t walked away quite as quickly as I would’ve done with another.

I have a good physio and have been discussing it with her. She agrees he has odd action behind but says that it could be something or nothing
 
So long as you accept the horse might not come right then go for it. Think of how pleased you'd be if the horse does improve with work. It's a gambol either way.
 
If I was still interested I might consider a second vetting with another vet OR in my case as I have an excellent equine physiotherapist,I might well ask her opinion.
 
No i wouldn’t - as the vet stopped the vetting then I think the ? Is pretty big and not just the way he goes.
I might get a setting vet opinion though.

It’s no good ticking all the other boxes if he breaks down. It’s very hard when you’ve fallen for them.
 
If he really was at a give away price and you have the funds for any further costly treatment that could very likely be needed in the future it might tempt me. But the vet actually stopping a vetting half way through would be a huge alarm bell for me and regardless of aforementioned I would probably walk away. Why buy almost guaranteed heartbreak?
 
My interpretation of the vetting being stopped is as that it was after a 2 stage which should have gone on to be a 5 stage? If, at the end of the 2 stage the vet knows there’s no chance of being fit for purpose at the 5 stage, they may see no point in continuing both in terms of their time and the buyer’s money. I’d personally be thankful for a vet doing that.

Obviously, if you’re still tempted, I can see how a failed 5 stage may give a better picture of the issues. So I guess personal preference as to whether you’d want them to continue….one of the dangers of not being present at the vetting (not sure whether OP was?)
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a vetting being stopped.
Wonder why he didn’t continue but fail it?
Do you still pay the full vetting price in this situation?
Click to expand...
I've paid for a 5 stage before and had the vet call me after he wasn't happy with the lunging on a tight circle and flexions. Didn't even get to the ridden stage.
He asked me if I wanted to continue and I said no.
I was only charged for a partial vetting.
The seller said the pony had never taken a lame step in the 8 years they had owned and asked me if I wanted to take her on trial for a month.
I spoke to my Vet (who did the vetting) and asked if he thought it was worth taking on trial, he said get it, if it stays sound and does the job during the month buy it.
We did and we haven't had any issues!
 
For an alternative pov, when I had my horse vetted it was stopped at stage 2. She essentially failed stage 2, lame left fore when lunged on hard ground so the vet saw no point in proceeding. I drove away, bawled my eyes out, called the owner later on and bought the horse regardless. That was over 10 years ago, she's been a complete gem and that leg has never given us any grief.

I took it as a gamble because the horse was out doing the things I wanted to do, and I thought that if she broke I could be hard hearted if needs be. I would potentially be more wary of a youngster as I could see that going either way - either he'll muscle up and improve, or break if his workload increases.

Cross posted with minesadouble, lovely to hear success stories
 
Flexion tests are a load of cobblers. I've never bothered with vettings and bought plenty of horses that have failed vettings for other people and been totally sound/fine. I've bought horses that have passed a vetting with the most horrendous kissing spines too. I'd take a chance but then again I'm extremely experienced and work with horses in a professional capacity.
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a vetting being stopped.
Wonder why he didn’t continue but fail it?
Do you still pay the full vetting price in this situation?
Click to expand...
I’ve had 2 stopped in my time both on an eye issue. Each time the vet called
me and told me of the issue and said that the horse has signs of significant eye health issues and that they may have long term issues and did i want to continue - both times it was a no from me as it keeps the vetting cost to a minimum.
 
blitznbobs said:
I’ve had 2 stopped in my time both on an eye issue. Each time the vet called
me and told me of the issue and said that the horse has signs of significant eye health issues and that they may have long term issues and did i want to continue - both times it was a no from me as it keeps the vetting cost to a minimum.
Click to expand...
It makes sense, so you end up just paying a call out and consult rather than for the vetting?
 
Vets often stop vettings when the situation is serious .
When they are going to say no rather than on the balance of what I have found my judgement is …….
 
littlelessbloom said:
I recently had a horse vetted and it was stopped after 2 stage because the vet noticed that when he is trotting, he brings his hind legs out and round slightly - worse on the right than the left.

He said it could very well be a weakness thing, his way of going or it could be a problem, and the fact there’s a question mark is why he failed him. If he was 10 and in full work, he would’ve passed. He said it was aggravated by the flexions but that he was sound.

This horse is pretty weak, having only really hacked in the last 18 months. He is only 5. I am completely in love with this horse but am I doing the right thing by taking a massive punt on him and offering to buy for a vastly reduced price?
Click to expand...
Having just bought a horse who past stage 5 and after 4 days and 1 zoomie on the lunge, the horse went lame and still is lame. It is going to rehab soon, it has been a nightmare and mega expense. I would say if it is not suitable for the intended purpose demand your money back or walk away.
 
Thank you everyone. The owner is talking to the vet today to see what he thinks is the best next step.

I’ve found old videos of when he was in more work at a dealer’s and it looks far less prominent. There’s something about him that I just can’t shake.
 
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