Buyer attendance at vetting

[SEL]

Would you normally attend as the buyer? Struggling to get availability with vets due to Easter hols and one day they offered up I'm away on a course which I can't move.

Seller is known to me and using my vets so I don't feel I NEED to be there just no idea what the protocol is

 

[Bobthecob15]

No you don't need to be there, I never have. The vet should speak to you before the assessment to find out what you want to use the horse for and if there are any things you would particularly like them to look at...if its 5 stage they will obviously look at more things...we had a vetting on a horse and I was concerned it had its head held very high so asked her to have a good look at teeth etc and sure enough there was an issue. They should then do the vetting and call you after to discuss. They don't pass or fail any more, they basically decide if the horse is suitable for what you want...riding horse, high level competition, hacking etc. They will weigh up the issues (if there are any) and say if they feel they are suitable for your intended purpose. I didn't go to the most recent one we had as it was the other side of the UK to where we lived...they are used to potential purchasers not being there don't worry!

 

[Lady Jane]

I prefer to be there but its not essential - especially if you have a relationship with your vet. I would have the phone on (silent?) even if you are on a course and take any calls immediately as there may be somethingt to be discussed. Good luck!

 

[SEL]

No you don't need to be there, I never have. The vet should speak to you before the assessment to find out what you want to use the horse for and if there are any things you would particularly like them to look at...if its 5 stage they will obviously look at more things...we had a vetting on a horse and I was concerned it had its head held very high so asked her to have a good look at teeth etc and sure enough there was an issue. They should then do the vetting and call you after to discuss. They don't pass or fail any more, they basically decide if the horse is suitable for what you want...riding horse, high level competition, hacking etc. They will weigh up the issues (if there are any) and say if they feel they are suitable for your intended purpose. I didn't go to the most recent one we had as it was the other side of the UK to where we lived...they are used to potential purchasers not being there don't worry!

Thank you!! I was having a minor panic because Easter has obviously slowed things up and the vendor has been lovely about it - would be typical if they chose the one day I can't move.

Going for 5 stage purely because of the purchase price and having my confidence knocked by the last one having a lot of issues. Fingers crossed.

 

[MagicMelon]

You dont have to be, but as a buyer Id always want to be as you get another chance to watch the horse and see how they respond temperament-wise. If its a nut job who tries to kick the vet all the time then at least you still have time to pull out

 

[Bobthecob15]

You dont have to be, but as a buyer Id always want to be as you get another chance to watch the horse and see how they respond temperament-wise. If its a nut job who tries to kick the vet all the time then at least you still have time to pull out

Yes but the vet would tell you that, they comment on behaviour, handling on the ground etc. I've only ever used vets in the area of the horses I've bought as I've never managed to find one local to me! I wish!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thank you!! I was having a minor panic because Easter has obviously slowed things up and the vendor has been lovely about it - would be typical if they chose the one day I can't move.

Going for 5 star purely because of the purchase price and having my confidence knocked by the last one having a lot of issues. Fingers crossed.

Don't worry they don't expect purchasers to be there, I've heard of people go to the vetting, if it is suitable they then collect the horse there and then but that's also rare.

 

[spacefaer]

Very rarely have been present for a vetting - in fact, when I have been, the horse has failed so I don't tempt fate any more.
It also gives you time to think about the vet's report on the exam without the pressure of making a decision on his findings immediately

NB it's a descriptive title - it's a vetting in five stages, not a 5 star ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Very rarely have been present for a vetting - in fact, when I have been, the horse has failed so I don't tempt fate any more.
It also gives you time to think about the vet's report on the exam without the pressure of making a decision on his findings immediately

NB it's a descriptive title - it's a vetting in five stages, not a 5 star ?

Yes good point! Decent vets won't continue to stage 5 if there is an issue with the earlier stages (and charge you less if they only get to stage 2 which is a bonus or not depending on how you look at it!)

 

[MereChristmas]

One vet, who I had asked to do a 5 stage and check teeth for approximate age, rang me and said the horse was not suitable and she would not be able to complete the vetting. She could not get near to its’ head to check the teeth. I was charged for 2 stage.

 

[HeyMich]

Out of the 4 vettings I've done in the last wee while, I've been present at 2 of them. If you do go, you really have to stand back and not say anything or get involved, or keep asking the vet what they think, which I find really hard to do! Not going is easier in that respect.

 

[throwawayaccount]

Yep… I would always attend, for full transparency!

 

[Fransurrey]

I attended one and didn't attend the second. The first failed and to be honest I was glad I was there as it was a clear cut decision for me as her behaviour was completely different to when I saw and tried her. I saw the same lameness the vet did, but it was subtle and the vendors didn't see it at all. It was really awkward, but a reality check. The second was a pass - I didn't attend as it was far away and I couldn't make the date, not because of the experience with the first! I just went with recommendations on here!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I wasn't able to be present for either of my last two 5 stage vettings. Both horses passed. In light of the issues which soon showed up with both horses, I wish that I been there .

The second horse was vetted by a horse from a top referral practice, often recommended on here. She completely missed the horse's epic muscular asymmetry.

 

[dixie]

As above, you don't need to be there but I usually like to if I can.

One vetting I went to, my vet was really lovely and explained each process to me, why he was doing it and what he was looking for.
Unfortunately the horse failed (and the subsequent x-ray backed up his initial thought) and he also rang me afterwards to tell me not to buy him whatever the seller tries to tell me - which she did try and do.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Would you normally attend as the buyer? Struggling to get availability with vets due to Easter hols and one day they offered up I'm away on a course which I can't move.

Seller is known to me and using my vets so I don't feel I NEED to be there just no idea what the protocol is

Depends if I was able too

mare 1 was in Clyro so too far just to go to watch vetting
pony Carmarthenshire same reason too far
recent mare in Potter Bar and with yard I could not go. mare who failed was Monmouthshire to far

So most likely no I would not go.

 

[Melody Grey]

Would you normally attend as the buyer? Struggling to get availability with vets due to Easter hols and one day they offered up I'm away on a course which I can't move.

Seller is known to me and using my vets so I don't feel I NEED to be there just no idea what the protocol is

Under these circumstances, I would trust the vetting to go ahead fine in my absence and speak to the vet over the phone with findings. If any of the above (vet/ horse/ seller)were unknown, I’d want to be there though!

 

[Kaylum]

Get there if possible. Our vet wants you to ask questions and talks all the way through the vetting.

 

[Goldenstar]

Unless my best friend is doing the vetting I am never there .

 

[silv]

I haven't been to a vetting in years, my last few purchases have all been several hours away or on the wrong island. The vet has normally spoken to me beforehand to discuss any concerns and then rung me later to discuss findings.

 

[Nicnac]

I would as would want to discuss anything found on the day and see with my own eyes.

 

[SO1]

I have had 2 new forest ponies vetted it was nearly 15 years ago and I was not there either time due to work commitments. Often it is not easy to get a day off at short notice and hard to find a day vet, vendors and myself all could make. Obviously vendors keen to sell and don't want to wait weeks for vettings if other people are viewing.

I didn't use my vets as it was out of the area but did the same practice both ponies as they both in sussex. First one failed and the rider got bucked off in the ridden bit, cataract, what looked like it might be a sacroid on the sheath and vet said pony very overweight and would be needed to go on a very strict diet and restricted grazing immediately and even then it might go down with laminitis. He also said the vendors were lovely but the pony not suitable especially as the rider got thrown off.

Second vetting same practice when vet got there pony had been kicked on one of his hind legs. Vet said pony made a funny noise in canter but didn't seem to have any breathing issues, was sound even though he had been kicked and was a very tough pony, but had slightly flat footed. Questioned if he was suitable as he was very quiet but said he didn't think he was doped. Pony purchased and in the 15 years I have had him he has never made any noise in canter. Nice and quiet most of the time unless he gets excited and then he puts in a cheeky buck. Farrier said nothing wrong with hooves and they are not flat.

If you are using your own vet, you can tell them of any concerns you have then probably will be fine as long as the vet used is one of the more experienced ones at the practice.

I think vettings are more complicated now and they won't pick up potential issues such a horse that has been injured and then successfully rehabed but may have a weakness or been injected.

Vettings won't pick up rehabed soft tissue injuries that may cause a problem again in future or any joints or backs that have been medicated.

I think if I was in the market for an expensive competition horse then I would be scanning legs and x raying. Horses are so expensive now if you are going to be spending 10k or more on a horse and you have saved a long time to do so then an extra 1k on xray and scans maybe a good investment.

I livery at a rehab yard and it is interesting to see the horses coming in many sports horses with soft tissue injuries but also hear of young horses under the age of 10 needing joint injections, a fair amount of kissing spines.

They are all rehabbed and sent home but I wonder how many injured or medicated sports horses destined for the top of their game end up being recycled as leisure horses or the classy competitive RC type without disclosure of previous veterinary history because there is now decent money to be made there too.

As part of the vetting process maybe there should also be the option for the vet doing the vetting to speak to vendors vet to see vet history.

 

[Lois Lame]

It also gives you time to think about the vet's report on the exam without the pressure of making a decision on his findings immediately

That's a great point.