Buying a horse with a failed 5* vetting

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Helga1980

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What are the implications, i.e. in terms of insurance etc. of buying a horse with a failed 5* vetting (failed flexion test in one hind leg)?

Please no debate on the wisdom of buying after a failed vetting or comments on how many horses are out there than can pass a vetting
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Thanks
 
The implications are that depending on value you will have to declare the failure to your insurers which will raise exclusions. Further inplications are that in future you MAY end up with an unsound and costly pet which doesnt qualify for vet fee cover at some stage. Problem is that you know the horse failed the test so the insurers might get picky if you dont tell them when you raise any policy with them.

If you really are set on this horse can I suggest you book scans and xrays PRIOR to purchase to see if there is an obvious reason for the failure.

Dont get me wrong I am not a big fan of flexion tests but when you are spending out precious money on a horse it pays to be a bit cautious to save yourself trouble later.
 
ASBO horse failed her 5 stage because she was lame but we took a chance and bought her (if we hadn't have bought her there were 5 other poeple who would have!). Because I haven't got te vetting certificate it just means I can't insure her for over 5k or 6k (I think). She has no obvious problems so I won't be declaring anything to the insurers when I get around to insuring her.
 
Some insurance companies won't insure you at all with a fail, unfortunately, although some WILL insure you if the horse hasn't been vetted at all (this was the case with NFU with my horses, which were mainly freebies). I think it would depend on the value of the horse.
 
My best guess would be they would exclude that leg altogether unless vet was able to have them some kind of indication as to the cause, in which case the leg might be excluded from a list of specific aliments.

You might find though that after a year or so if the leg has settled down completely and the horse has shown no signs of lameness the insurers may consider lifting exclusions.

As magic says, you are best off sharing as much detail as you can with the insurer and see what they say.
 
This is slightly theoretical at this stage and the horse hasn't actually been vetting formally per se.

Would probably be looking to insure around 4.5k.
 
You can insure upto 5k with a 2 stage vetting.

If you KNOW he will fail a five stage and you're ok with that (since the horse hasnt even been vetted), then get a 2 stage done and use that to insure with.

2 stage is pretty straight forward stuff and you can still get vet fee covers, it just affects your actual value.

5 stage allows you to go upto £10k ish (usually) and then beyond that you need xrays also
 
[ QUOTE ]
This is slightly theoretical at this stage and the horse hasn't actually been vetting formally per se.

Would probably be looking to insure around 4.5k.

[/ QUOTE ]
Ok, so if you think it may fail a 5* can you do a less vigorous vetting instead that it is likely to pass?? That way there is no problem with the insurers.
 
my dad deals with my pony's insurance. but we never had him vetted (we had him on loan first and he had no obvious problems and the vet just checked his heart and eyes) and we still have him insured with NFU, not sure how much for tho!
 
I think it really depends on how much you insure for. My horse failed a 5* vetting on the trot up, didnt even get to the flexion! But it was only a newly formed splint and shes never had any problems. My mare is insured for a lot less than she is worth but I was told I would have to have a 5 stage vetting to insure her for more.
 
I knew my horse would fail a vetting so I didnt get one done, waste of money if you know its a fail. I got insurance no probs.
Ironic thing is my previous two horses both passed five stage vetting and they both went lame within months with problems that should have been picked up on vettings!!
 
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