Been to see my first horse today..

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dark_prince

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Hi, so I went to see a horse today and he was really lovely.

He's 15.2, so a bit smaller than I'm used to but apparently I looked a good size on him. He's a thoroughbred and bright bay. He's also 4.

Me and my horsey friend rode him and I really liked him, although he is very lacking education wise..but I didn't expect much from a 4 year old. And he has a very level head on his shoulders. Very affectionate and friendly, too.

However.. when I was feeling his neck there was a lump and when I asked she said it was something to do with his trachea? I can't remember the technical term for it, but she said the the flap of skin the opens and closes on the trachea to let air pass through is not 'broken' but not working to the best it can (meaning he can't take in deep breaths as good as another horse), so he'd had something inserted in his trachea to make it work better. She said he'd pass a vetting with it.

So, I just wondered if anyone had ever come across this before? I think I've heard somewhere that it's quite common in TBs?

Also any advice on the whole buying process? I want to go see another horse next weekend, so any more advice would be useful!

L xx
 
my old boy had a tieback and hobday, can do full work after it too, sounds like he has already had surgery of some sort, my boy didnt have any implant tho so i would get the information and ask a vet. most likely be fine just make sure you get vetting done :)
 
My horse is a roarer - he is a large TB and came out of racing. I'm not sure if he has had a tie-back op, but he can't whinny, so it is likely he has had the op. He is fully capable of doing RC activities and i do a bit of hunting with him, so it doesn't affect his performance for what I want to do with him, but he does make a roaring noise when he canters/ gallops for long periods.

If the horse is what you want in every other aspect I wouldn't let it put you off.
 
I'm sure he had something in his neck as I could feel it and see a slight scar? So confused as I've never come across this before!

I want a horse that can do a bit of dressage, jumping, cross country and hacking. It wouldn't be to high levels really as I've never been into showing before but would like to get into it with my first horse. Would this cause a problem? I loved his personality and willingness.
 
Hello,

Now I don't know your riding capabilities but are you sure that you are apt enough to own a green 4 year old who needs work? If so then fantastic! Just make sure that you aren't over-horsing yourself because a lot of people think that they can cope, struggle and end up losing their confidence entirely. And sadly the horse tends to suffer too because with an inexperienced rider they may develop bad habits and end up becoming a problem horse, which might put their future at risk.
So please, please make sure that you are experienced enough and confident enough to bring on an inexperienced youngster- trust me when I say that it is hard work and you have to teach them EVERYTHING! You would not believe how much work and patience is involved.
I'm not saying that you are a novice or anything, you have not mentioned your riding ability so I cannot assume much however I just thought that a green 4 year old is a strange and potentially dangerous option for a first horse!
But again, if you are experienced with young/inexperienced and naughty horses (trust me when I say that even the sweetest youngster will have their moments and try it on, it is up to you to correct them when they push the boundaries! Both when ridden and when being handled) then good for you!
Also, if you are thinking of going for this horse then make sure to ride him a few times and do everything with him, ride him in the school, jump, take him for a hack (both in company and alone) so you can see what he is like on the roads. Also it would be ideal if they had fields for you to ride in so that you can see how he behaves in open spaces, both in company and alone! Also handle him a lot and make sure to touch all over his body to make sure that he has no pain/sensitive areas which you might not be aware of!
 
LollyDolly said:
I'm not saying that you are a novice or anything, you have not mentioned your riding ability so I cannot assume much however I just thought that a green 4 year old is a strange and potentially dangerous option for a first horse!
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Hi, no I didn't mention because I know I'm not a perfect rider, but I know I'm capable. It does seem a strange first choice, but then again my friend bought her first horse as an unbroken filly.

I have had experience with youngsters and bringing them on, and I get a bit bored with a horse that's been there and done it all. Also because it will be my first horse, I want something younger that (in the nicest way possible) will last longer.. haha :S

I'm not a novice, and I know what I'm looking for, but I just want some advice on the trachea thing as I've never come across it and general advice on buying as I've only ever loaned before.

But thankyou for your concern! Rest assured I know what I can manage and I won't buy a horse out of my ability! :)
 
If he has had a tie back or hobday op you are unlikely to feel anything other than a little scar tissue in the area, it is up at the top of the underside of his neck right in the jaw line and due to the loose skin in that area is usually hard to see or feel.

It could be that he has been tubed, a scar further down the trachea will be felt or there may be a dip in his neck where the tube has been removed and the area has healed over.

Whether to buy or not is up to you but I would discuss with my vet before committing as he may "fail" a vetting if he makes a noise still or be difficult to insure for wind related issues.
 
badgermyers said:
I know they said that but from studying equine anatomy and dissections I cant see how anything to do with a tie back type thing would cause a lump.

Can you grab it, normally the size of a golf to a tennis ball?
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It's more like behind his jaw but definitely on his neck, and it feels like two round lumps going down it..? So confused!!

If it's going to be difficult to insure I may have to say no :( Although apart from that he is great!

Going to see another tomorrow afternoon..
 
l.ark said:
It's more like behind his jaw but definitely on his neck, and it feels like two round lumps going down it..? So confused!!

If it's going to be difficult to insure I may have to say no :( Although apart from that he is great!

Going to see another tomorrow afternoon..
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I would put a small amount of money its something to do with the Thyroid, its the exact place!

Mine passed a 5 stage vetting and it causes no issues at all. She is fully insured and competed up to foxhunter. I believe its something to do with how the Thyroid sits behind the windpipe :)

If he is the right horse, just bring it up at the vetting, thats what I did.

Ive seen it a few times with horses at uni and horses when I have worked with vets.
 
badgermyers said:
I would put a small amount of money its something to do with the Thyroid, its the exact place!

Mine passed a 5 stage vetting and it causes no issues at all. She is fully insured and competed up to foxhunter. I believe its something to do with how the Thyroid sits behind the windpipe :)

If he is the right horse, just bring it up at the vetting, thats what I did.

Ive seen it a few times with horses at uni and horses when I have worked with vets.
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Thanks, if he can be insured, I'll keep him in mind over the next week! Thankyou!
 
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