Buying a horse with KS? Opinions?

[Meadow21]

I have recently viewed an ottb, stunning horse with an amazing temperament. He’s fully reschooled and has been competing dressage for the past 2 years. His owners however have disclosed to me that he has one touching spinal vertebrae, a further back lumbar vertebrae I believe. It was found for insurance purposes, the company required back X-rays to insure him to elementary, and with the findings he has only been ridden novice and managed well. The owners are happy to give me the full vet history as proof he has never been lame. I have spoken to the vet who has treated him for the past 2 years who did a report stating he has never been back sore/lame. He has also passed a 5* vetting under a different vet. He is a beautiful, well schooled horse being sold for practically nothing but I am so anxious to buy. He will only be used for lower level dressage and hacking, and managed well by myself. What are people’s opinion of this? Would you buy?

 

[HorseMaid]

I wouldn't I'm afraid. Just so many issues that could arise, there's no way I would knowingly buy one with KS even if it was being given to me, possibly even if they were paying me to take it away!

 

[Melody Grey]

Have a search around on here- a couple of threads to this effect in the last week alone, might give you some ideas of peoples thoughts.

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn’t personally. However if he’s being sold for money you can afford to loose, then possibly worth a gamble ??‍

 

[bouncing_ball]

If he’s non expensive snd your trainer and physio /.bodyworker like him I probably would.

Assuming you have the time and skills to work him correctly and wholistically and support his body and keep him correctly muscled.

And assuming your lifestyle plans and aims for him are similar to what he’s currently doing.

 

[sbloom]

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/kissing-spine-‘lig-snip’.811079/#post-14743051, slightly different in that the horse had had the snip. I think one close process is a possibility, depends on everything else and if you're prepared to keep on with postural work, usually best done from the ground.

 

[milliepops]

Before I opened the thread i thought "i might accept one gifted to me but i wouldn't pay", but actually this might be one of the apparently many horses with KS on imaging that has no symptoms... so if the price was right and the horse was my kind of ride I might take a punt on it, with the understanding that it may need plenty of constructive work to stay comfortable.

 

[L&M]

My vet once told me that if you x rayed multiple horses spines, a lot would show signs of KS but would never show symptons, or for it to cause an issue......

Friends of mine bought a KS horse for hunting, paid £1.00 and still going strong 6 yrs later.

As other have said, it is what you are prepared to loose, both financially and emotionally, but at least you have up to date vets reports to help make an informed decision.

 

[greenbean10]

Yup I would.

A large number of horses have close DSPs and are absolutely fine, just never x-rayed.

Just one pair touching is very manageable.

ETA It sounds as though it hasn't even affected him. Worst case scenario if he suddenly shows symptoms you can inject his back and rehab. Only other thing I'd say is that rehab is a lot easier if the horse is good on the ground.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

If it's cheap as chips then yes. And I mean cheap.

 

[flying_high]

My vet once told me that if you x rayed multiple horses spines, a lot would show signs of KS but would never show symptons, or for it to cause an issue......

Friends of mine bought a KS horse for hunting, paid £1.00 and still going strong 6 yrs later.

As other have said, it is what you are prepared to loose, both financially and emotionally, but at least you have up to date vets reports to help make an informed decision.

This.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I saw a beautiful bay gelding ex racer for sale yesterday, it mentioned ks in advert. He was stunning. If he wasn't expensive then I think I would. I went to Doncaster racing school just before covid hit and met a lady who rehabs a lot of exracers for rehoming. She said many have some form of ks but very rarely do they need to be operated on. They rehab the horses with lunging, long lining etc to get them yo stretch and use themselves properly.

 

[Equi]

As long as you are aware that he will need to be managed in much the same way as he is now if whatever they’re doing is working, and that any change in him the first thing to look at will be the KS then possibly. Has the vet said if the horse would be a candidate for surgery if any issue come up in the future? How cheap is cheap though cause people’s opinions may vary lol

 

[Melody Grey]

If you’re going to play KS roulette with an OTTB, get one that hasn’t been x-rayed and is working well. That way, if it breaks, you’ll have your insurance to call upon.

 

[Ratface]

I wouldn't. Even if I had unlimited funds to pay for treatment. I've bought "problem horses" in the past, because I have been completely committed to spending time and patience xn< to sort out an mutually acceptable set of behaviors. I would never "strive to keep alive" a prey animal.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I did what you are thinking of doing (bought a lovely horse with KS who wasn’t showing symptoms). But I’d never do it again. I did everything you’re supposed to do (proper work, rehab) but he got worse, injecting didn’t work, ended up paying for the opp, he got colic post surgery so I had a huge bill (he wasn’t insured because KS was existing). He then ended up with SI dysfunction (another bill) because KS comes with other issues. He’s back in work but I’ve been rehabbing him half the time I’ve owned him and it’s not been fun at all. When I add the cost of vets fees to my ‘cheap horse’ I could’ve purchased a really good horse. There are days I think about giving up horses but I have a horse that probably isn’t sellable. Sorry to be negative but I’d never buy my horse again if I had the chance. Totally your choice but thought I’d share my experience
Edited to add my vets bills are almost 5figures

 

[Miszeemare]

I have one with KS (husband’s (useless) ex racer), I would never take on another one. Husband felt an obligation to the horse and we started to rehab him knowing we could spend the money and he could still be PTS as he couldn’t realistically be retired. He’s doing better than expected but we have ongoing physio costs etc. He‘s also on semi “full” full livery as he needs working 6 days a week & I haven’t the time so another cost to factor in. As the PP said, with what we spent so far, I could have bought a lovely horse without the issues. He is a lovely boy though.

 

[meleeka]

I wouldn’t. As above mine had to be kept in regular work and when he had unexpected time off I had to do rehab all over again. There was always the worry in the back of my mind that he was in pain so I couldn’t ever relax and just enjoy riding him, I was always looking for signs he wasn’t right.

 

[shortstuff99]

Why are they selling him? I imagine it is because they found KS and don't want the risk.....

 

[ycbm]

. He is a beautiful, well schooled horse being sold for practically nothing

Yes, if it was found some time back and he's been in constant work, but I would PTS if it started to trouble him, not offer him a retirement.
.

 

[BronsonNutter]

I would, in this situation. More TBs will have (at least) one close vertebrae than not. Not all TBs with a vertebrae that is close will have significant back pain. If the whole load of vertebrae were impinging with bony changes etc then that would be different.

Have a five stage vetting in case that throws up any other issues and check with an insurance company that you can everything else covered (they are unlikely to cover his back).

 

[AUB]

I’ve worked with vets for years and about 50% of horses actually have very close sitting vertebrae. So that wouldn’t scare me off. My own horse has a few that are a little close, and it’s not a problem with correct riding.

But when they are actually touching… the horse would need to be in consistent (semi-hard) work, pass the vetting and the price should reflect the risk.

And I would be ready to pts if the horse developed symptoms. But that being said, if it’s a nice, cheap horse, maybe it’s worth it for a few good years.