Buying a polo horse with slight conformation issue

[Solari]

Hi all,

Wondering if you guys could provide some wisdom.

Found a polo horse that I like - small thoroughbred down in Beaufort.

I 5-stage vetted her and she "passed", but with some comments that she has slightly bad conformation on one of her forelegs. As you can see in the x-ray attached, the bones in her lower left leg are a bit bent.

The vet wasn't too concerned about it - but did say it's not ideal and could wear down those joints more than usual. He also suggested the farrier can make it better.

Otherwise she's a fantastic horse.

I'm being told that the farrier can help to fix or alleviate this issue - although I'm apprehensive about this because it seems that playing with her shoes will only put more pressure on her joints higher up on that leg... but perhaps it could help.

Some people tell me "I wouldn't buy a horse that isn't 100% sound - not worth it"... whilst others are telling me "none of my horses are 100% clean - it's fine. Maybe ask for a slight discount".

What would you advise here? We had agreed a price on the horse subject to vet-check... and she's not cheap. How bad is the conformation issue here (NB it's only on one leg)? What would you do?

Thanks so much!

 

[ycbm]

Is she for playing polo with or a quieter life?
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[Starzaan]

What are you going to use the pony for? What level has it been playing at? Who has it been playing with and where? If you are going to play polo why is the pony being retired from polo?
Happy for you to pm me if you’d like as I know the polo world well, and have spent many years running rehab yards.

 

[ycbm]

Farrier should certainly help, she's been shod badly unlevel in both those feet.

Was your vet at all concerned about the sidebone? ETA especially as it looks as if it could be more evident in the "better" leg, indicating it might be taking more strain, possibly?

 

[Solari]

It's only 6 yrs old - I'd be buying it to play a lot of low goal.

 

[TPO]

Is the horse sound just now? Assuming so if it passed the vetting.

What do you plan to do with the horse?

Personally I'd pull shoes and enable the horse to fix itself with what it needs. However I also wouldn't be paying a high price for a horse thst I saw an issue with.

Thats just me. If the horse is sound as is and you are going to be doing similar with the horse then dont fit what ain't broke.

Different scenario but I found that every time I fixed a wonky bit on one horse it disrupted the pre existing compensations and all the wheels fell off. So if you're buying a sound polo horse to continue being a polo horse I'd be looking to emulate the current management strategies thst have kept the horse sound and in work

ETA xrays don't show what's happening higher up. How and why the horse moved a certain way will affect footfall and in turn thst affect hoof growth and shape

 

[Tiddlypom]

It?

Do you have front and side pics of the horse, or at least of her legs if you don't want to identify her?

 

[ycbm]

I'm not sure I'd be wanting to pay a lot of money for a 6 year with that level of sidebone. While sidebone itself, once formed and hard, often doesn't cause any issues, it can easily break and my main fear is that it's indicative of young limbs that have already taken too much strain.
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[TPO]

It?

That at me?

I never remember she/he with new posters so just write it because cba scrolling up and to avoid getting reprimanded over whether horse was a she or he.

 

[ycbm]

That at me?

I never remember she/he with new posters so just write it because cba scrolling up and to avoid getting reprimanded over whether horse was a she or he.

Aimed at the buyer wanting "it" to pay polo, I think. I use "they" these days to avoid "it".

 

[Solari]

@Tiddlypom I didn't get pictures of her legs but her left foot slightly points outwards, and when she trots the outside of the foot hits the ground first.

@ycbm What is sidebone? They didn't mention it I don't think

 

[bonny]

I wouldn’t unless there is a very good reason for her sale. Polo os hard on their legs anyway and a problem front leg sounds like a career ender to me.

 

[Tiddlypom]

That at me?

I never remember she/he with new posters so just write it because cba scrolling up and to avoid getting reprimanded over whether horse was a she or he.

No, not you. The OP firstly talks about a mare which then becomes an 'it. Horsey folk rarely refer to a horse that they know as an it, it's always a him or a her.

But this is a horse to play polo, so maybe 'it' will have to do.

 

[Solari]

@ycbm - I looked up sidebone. No there was no mention or concern about that

 

[Solari]

No, not you. The OP firstly talks about a mare which then becomes an 'it. Horsey folk rarely refer to a horse that they know as an it, it's always a him or a her.

But this is a horse to play polo, so maybe 'it' will have to do.

Haha - probably for anonymity

 

[ycbm]

@Tiddlypom I didn't get pictures of her legs but her left foot slightly points outwards, and when she trots the outside of the foot hits the ground first.

@ycbm What is sidebone? They didn't mention it I don't think

Wow, vet didn't mention the sidebone in a 6 year old?

It's ossification of the lateral cartilages and you can see it as the little wings poking up each side of the foot. She is very young to have sidebone, though it's common in older horses, where the cause is usually age. In her case the cause is likely to be strain/trauma, and I would expect polo to be a game where they would get broken easily. They usually don't cause too much issue unless they break. I'd be very cautious.
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[ycbm]

Your x rays aren't that clear and both feet are unbalanced, but it looks to me as if the foot on the questionable leg has a decent gap between the bottom two bones but the better leg foot has no gap at all. I'd want that questioned, no gap can indicate loss of cartilage.
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[Solari]

Thanks for those pointers @ycbm - I will note them down for checking. I suppose they may be nothing to worry about in the context of polo - which is maybe why he didn't mention them - but I will check.

 

[Starzaan]

Sidebone absolutely is something to worry about in the context of polo, even at low goal. Polo ponies need seriously strong limbs to cope with the sharp turns and sudden changes of speed.

And in terms of calling a horse or pony ‘it’, I adore my horses and all my liveries more than words can say, but I still say ‘it’. I do the same with my other animals, and occasionally my family. In my opinion it isn’t disrespectful at all, although I know a lot of people think that way.

 

[ycbm]

Thanks for those pointers @ycbm - I will note them down for checking. I suppose they may be nothing to worry about in the context of polo - which is maybe why he didn't mention them - but I will check.

I know nothing much about polo risks, but it's inexcusable not to note sidebone in a 6 year old found on x rays on a prepurchase vetting.
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[Cortez]

I call most things it if I can't remember what it is....I'd maybe want a second opinion on those X-rays OP, if I wanted a horse for playing. Polo is a tough old sport, and he/she/it's a bit young to be taking a chance on. Polo ponies are also quite expensive, with little resale opportunities if it doesn't go well.

 

[ihatework]

The M-L balance on those X-rays plus the sidebone, for a 6yo, would be disappointing.
She has obviously vetted sound despite it.
I’m not a totally nervous Nelly regarding X-rays, you need to assess the horse holistically, but any insurer is pretty much going to exclude front limbs on this horse.
Ultimately it will depend on how much you like the horse and how much you are prepared too loose.
Are you able to ascertain if this pony has been playing consistently and if they have needed medicating to support?

 

[Solari]

From what I know she's never been lame.

I do really like the horse otherwise - she ticks all the other boxes.

 

[dixie]

I wouldn’t buy a young horse with side bone like that - I would suggest you get your own vet to look at the X-rays if you’re still keen. Personally I think you’ll be buying heart ache there especially as you want to do Polo.

 

[Solari]

To be clear - the problematic sidebone is the one on the right side of the left foot on the x-rays?

 

[Red-1]

I am rubbish with X rays, but just popped up to say I often refer to horses as it. Long time habit. As I adore them and take great care, I don't think either horse I now have, or those previously, know or care. They care more that I treat them fairly, I think.

I find it strange that we are criticising horse pro-nouns, but each to their own!

 

[ycbm]

To be clear - the problematic sidebone is the one on the right side of the left foot on the x-rays?

Both feet. Not normal in a 6 year old at all. At that age it should be flexible cartilage pretty much invisible xrays, not rigid bone.

I had a horse of a similar age x rayed for other reasons in 1984 and sidebone showed up. The vet advised me if i was ever looking to sell him i should do it sooner rather than later. As you can tell, I've never forgotten it!
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[Solari]

Thanks guys. I'm getting a second and third opinion on these issues from two more vets

 

[Solari]

Ok so some feedback from a polo vet:

The x-rays look like thin soles, but no sidebone.

Balance is ok so you might make things worse by trying to correct it.

If it is landing on the lateral foot, it would be of increased risk playing on hard ground.

They should give a guarantee against any foot lameness for that price!

 

[ycbm]

On what planet is that foot balance ever ok?

Clue: in a properly balanced foot the base of the pedal bone (the lowest bone in the foot) is parallel with the shoe.

Here are yours.






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