Buy a horse with an old tendon injury (no bowing) just for hacking 4/5 times a week?

[shellebage]

Hi, so I've seen a lovely horse within my budget, he seems ideal in everyway but has a previous tendon injury. The owner has stated that the injury is a few years old and there is no bow in the tendon.

I would be using the horse as a happy hacker only. Walk, trot, canter, road work and some bridleway/forest tracks.

I know how to handle tendon issues should he sustain another but it would be a bit gutting if he had to have months off if it happened again. I know any horse can sustain a tendon injury but am I playing with fire to get one who already had one even when he wouldn't be doing a huge amount?

Thoughts?

Thinking about the effect on insurance especially the price per month for it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Depends on how much the horse is and how old and I would want vet records and possibly even scan the leg before buying.

It probably won't affect your insurance cost wise but any tendon injury will not be covered.

 

[Patterdale]

It would entirely depend on the injury itself. But for me, I’d wait. There are plenty of horses out there without tendon injuries and it’s becoming a buyers market again.

 

[Red-1]

I bought one as she was recovering from a tendon injury. She had a huge pair of bows but they were cool and hard. She had an easy first year then we stepped it up and she went hunting, open team chasing and won a Newcomers BS.

The tendons were never a problem, but she did end up with other issues. Tough and sound for years though.

She was about 1/4 of the price she should have been, but was untested in work. It meant I had a horse we could not otherwise have afforded. It was a gamble though.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Depends if the price is right, generally if healed they may not cause any more issues but will be excluded on any future insurance.

 

[Laurac13]

At least the seller is honest how many people buy horses without full disclosure from owners? maybe ask to see vet record ? Good luck whatever you decide

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

A friend bought an ex-hunter who'd had tendon issues and been fired: he was/is a veteran and last weekend she took him to a Hunter Trials and came home with a ribbon........

 

[teapot]

One of my favourite school horses is an ex PC areas event horse with a bowed tendon and only stopped jumping this year in his early 20s. He continues to do all five levels of BHS exams as a flat horse

 

[Snow Falcon]

One of mine did both foreleg tendons at the same time. He had 10 month rest (hated box rest so after one month he went out) and then he went back to hacking across the forest, bit of jumping and colt hunting.

 

[Ratface]

Old Horse had two hind leg tendon injuries, caused by being over-jumped by people who got intoxicated by his consistent wins at high-end shows. Fortunately, his next owners turned him away for a year and were then too frightened to ride him, as he is quite a hot ride and needs a mixture of firm direction, tact and diplomacy. I bought him cheap and gradually brought him back into work, including jumping. This was at a far lower level than he had previously worked at. He was still very hot and I started to feel unsafe. So we stopped jumping. He's just about OK with polework, but prefers wandering around in the field with his mates most of the time. So that's what he does. I've stopped riding now as I have a life-limiting illness and can't afford to come off.

 

[Ratface]

What I should have added to the above was that he would be fine to hack and do what you want to do. It's just me that can't.
Good luck with your horse and whatever you both enjoy doing.

 

[ihatework]

I’d certainly consider it.
I’d want to know the initial injury, rehab, work level since and I would also get my vet to scan.
But assuming tendon looked ok and horse was in regular work I’d buy for hacking.

 

[tyner]

I would consider it as well considering what you are planning. I passed on a nice horse because even though seller mentioned past "tendon injury" they were pretty vague about the nature of the injury or when where it occurred. Bow is one thing but sheath rupture another.

I was still open to it but the horse had some other things going on (seller downplayed them) and was grey (still higher insurance) and in the end I forfeited my deposit. It was hard to walk away.

There is no horse with no issues even if it has a 'clean' vetting.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had one a few years ago. He almost completely severed his tendon.
Had the correct rehab and although I had trouble with him soundness wise and he’s now sadly retired that leg was the only one that he stayed sound on.
I’d get a vet opinion but my head says yes.