Being present for vetting

[nato]

I am going to view a horse I'm interested in for a repeat viewing this week, and all going well I may be making an offer My question is around vettings - as I'm going to be away with work the entire following week I will either have to a) hope the seller would be willing to wait until the following weekend to vet him, thus having to wait a week, or b) have the horse vetted without being present.

This will be my first horse that I've purchased, and I'm planning to get a 5* vetting incl x-rays for peace of mjnd, I would rather be there but a few people have said I don't need to be? Would appreciate any feedback/advice.

 

[silv]

I bought a new horse couple of months ago, she was on the North Island of NZ and I live in the South Island, so absolutely not feasible for me to be present at the vetting. Got 5* and x-rays done also at an Equine Hospital, which her owner took her to. The vet rang and spoke to me prior to the vetting to ask if I had any concerns about the horse and she also stated she would ring me during the vetting if she felt further investigations were needed. Fortunately all went well and she rang to say all was satisfactory and the vetting papers were emailed to me that night. I have the horse and she is great. Previous horse I bought was a fair distance away so I wasn't at that vetting either.

I did offer to leave a deposit on the mare subject to a satisfactory vetting, but the owner knew I was a serious buyer and didn't take it.

 

[Cowpony]

I wasn't able to be there for my current horse's vetting. As above, the vet called me beforehand to discuss what I would be using the horse for and any particular concerns, and rang me afterwards. She flew through it, so all was well.

 

[Red-1]

I would prefer to be there, but for my last 4 horses (I am old!) I have not been for various reasons.

It is important IMO to talk to the actual vet prior to the vetting, not just the receptionist. This builds a rapport, and lets him/her know what you are looking for. Be clear what you will or will not tolerate, and be specific as to what you hope to do. I then make sure I am available on the phone, or a partner is, for anything that crops up.

Personally I do not X Ray as a matter of course, if the horse is sound and not reactive the flexion then it is a bit of a fishing exhibition. I know you think you are being ultra careful, but what may well happen is that the X ray will find something small, that the vet thinks is OK, but the insurance company will then exclude. So, you think you are being safe, but actually you end up leaving yourself wide open.

I also think that if you then don't buy the horse it leaves the owner without a paddle for that horse, which is a shame if the horse is sound and the finding genuinely insignificant. I know one of the most respected importers of Irish horses will allow a 5 stage vetting, and is good about taking the horse back if there is an issue, and will allow X ray if something shows on the vetting, either ridden or under a flexion test, but will not allow standard X rays for this reason.

I know that in your current position as a buyer, the sellers problems do not concern you, but X Rays where a small thing shows may mean you can't insure, which is your concern.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I am going to view a horse I'm interested in for a repeat viewing this week, and all going well I may be making an offer My question is around vettings - as I'm going to be away with work the entire following week I will either have to a) hope the seller would be willing to wait until the following weekend to vet him, thus having to wait a week, or b) have the horse vetted without being present.

This will be my first horse that I've purchased, and I'm planning to get a 5* vetting incl x-rays for peace of mjnd, I would rather be there but a few people have said I don't need to be? Would appreciate any feedback/advice.

My new ID |I was not their as for my welsh A who was in Camarthernshire. I chose a vet not used by the owner and all went ok. It is not always poss to be there IMO

 

[Tnavas]

Preferable to be there but not essential - I sold a horse a few years back the lady lived t the other end of the South Island and I had to take the horse to the vets for X Rays etc - wasn't a problem. Just choose a good equine vet - preferably not the vendors vetso you get an unbiased opinion.

 

[nato]

Personally I do not X Ray as a matter of course, if the horse is sound and not reactive the flexion then it is a bit of a fishing exhibition. I know you think you are being ultra careful, but what may well happen is that the X ray will find something small, that the vet thinks is OK, but the insurance company will then exclude. So, you think you are being safe, but actually you end up leaving yourself wide open.

I also think that if you then don't buy the horse it leaves the owner without a paddle for that horse, which is a shame if the horse is sound and the finding genuinely insignificant. I know one of the most respected importers of Irish horses will allow a 5 stage vetting, and is good about taking the horse back if there is an issue, and will allow X ray if something shows on the vetting, either ridden or under a flexion test, but will not allow standard X rays for this reason.

I know that in your current position as a buyer, the sellers problems do not concern you, but X Rays where a small thing shows may mean you can't insure, which is your concern.

Thanks. My concern isn't insurance at all, it's the issues the horse could have which would affect what I want to do with it. My current loan horse turned out to have arthritis and KS so I want to ensure that is avoided as these issues are the reasons I can't keep competing her and have to give her back.

Thanks everyone - I'm going to try my best to be there as its a new vet too, but sounds like it's not uncommon to not be present for the vetting.

 

[LeannePip]

I wasn't there when we bought last year as it was over 4 hours away, I used a vet which was recommended in the area but not the vendors. All was fine after, Vet called me and we had a chat then he sent me over the paperwork and the horse got delivered a few days later.

 

[spacefaer]

The only time I have ever been present at a vetting, the horse failed!

We buy horses in Ireland and it is not practical or cost effective to be present. We use good equine vets and get a thorough 5 stage (not 5 star) exam done. Never bother with X rays (I wouldn't unless insurance required it, which is normally when the price is £10k and above)

 

[Damnation]

I wasn't present at my Mare's vetting, she was nearly a 3hr drive away from me, just not feesable! The vetting was absolutely fine.

99.9% of vets are professional and honest, lets face it most of them have studied and worked long and hard to get where they are, trust them!

Just ensure you use a different vet to the vet the current horse's owner for impartiality.

 

[paddi22]

If it was kissing spine you were paranoid about then i'd be tempted to get an xray done if it was an expensive competition horse. I have two completely different breeds of horse with kissing spine, so i'm completely paranoid about buying another with any chance of it developing! I also would't take a risk on an exracer with a back xray now either , even if it was a cheap horse. But I completely understand why most people wouldn't bother with xrays

 

[Irish gal]

There's no need for you to be there Nato, in fact it's not common for buyers to attend. You can speak to the vet afterwards and he/she will tell you of all findings, these are also on the vetting form so you can read them too. Vets are legally obliged to disclose all their findings and concerns to you, it makes no difference whether they do this over the phone or face to face.

If you want spinal xrays as well then it's going to be expensive. You mention it's a new vet, that's a cause for concern. There's no way I would want a recent graduate vetting a horse for me, as I don't believe they have the experience to spot as much as a senior type equine vet. So what do you mean by new?

 

[applecart14]

I have never been present for any of my horses vettings (I have had six) but my Dad has always been there for me instead as I have been working at the time and couldn't afford to take time off work. Luckily all passed, although one had something pointed out - it was broken backed foot/pastern axis which went on to very quickly after owning him to cause the horse to have sheared heels; he also had a strained check ligament which we think was as a result. So you need to ask yourself what would you consider is a NO NO, if the vet says the horse has a problem.

The one vet we used about three times for three horses and Mum used to pack a couple of buttered teacakes and a flask of coffee for him, he was always happy to see my Dad arrive!!

Another vet we used on my present horse rode him himself for the vetting being an accomplished rider and showjumper. He jumped off the horse at the end of the vetting, gave him a big pat and said to Dad "if your daughter ever gets fed up of him I will buy him from her".

 

[nato]

There's no need for you to be there Nato, in fact it's not common for buyers to attend. You can speak to the vet afterwards and he/she will tell you of all findings, these are also on the vetting form so you can read them too. Vets are legally obliged to disclose all their findings and concerns to you, it makes no difference whether they do this over the phone or face to face.

If you want spinal xrays as well then it's going to be expensive. You mention it's a new vet, that's a cause for concern. There's no way I would want a recent graduate vetting a horse for me, as I don't believe they have the experience to spot as much as a senior type equine vet. So what do you mean by new?

Sorry Irishgal I meant new vet in that I am not familiar with them, that they are not my regular vet and don't know me, does that make sense? I have received recommendations for very tenured vets that I will be reaching out to and won't be using the owner's vets.

I understand that it will be expensive but the horse is not cheap either and given the heartache I had with my current loan horse it's worth every penny for my peace of mind. i know that xrays are subjective and that they are only ever a snapshot in time, but I would rather spend the few hundred on xrays (on top of 5stage vetting) than have to spend thousands on issues down the line or end up with a horse I can't compete - which is ultimately what I want to do.

 

[Tnavas]

Just remember too that the vet does not pass or fail a horse. He tells you of any issues that may affect performance, but ultimately you make the final decision as to whether you buy the horse.

I say this because so many people seemed to be under the impression that the vet will tell them if the horse has passed or failed

 

[Echo24]

I wasn't present at two vettings but paid for my instructor to be present to see how the horse was. I spoke to both vets, before and after the vetting who were extremely thorough and honest. Unfortunately both horses didn't pass vetting but I had viewed the horse twice before going ahead so I felt confident not to be there. Like you, I was away for work when both vettings took place.

 

[nato]

Thank you all. I found a lovely (very well respected and highly recommended) vet in the area who I got to speak to today - his opinion was we xray for any issues that crop up during the 5stage. I aired my concerns regarding my current loan horse's issues and he said we could discuss in more detail what I wanted to do with the horse and if I was still concerned we could xray.

He seems very sensible so feeling confident that he will do right by me!