Cataract in broodmare?

[Izzy1]

Hi
I have a 8 year old Welsh Sec A pony. I am selling her due to lack of interest from one of my daughters. She is a fantastic little pony with great bloodlines (revel/twyford etc) and she is a lovely temperament and has great conformation. She does really well showing (although we haven't done much with her- previous owners very successful) and she has a phenomenal jump on her! A prospective buyer had her vetted and turned up a small cataract in one eye. My vet tells me it might be a result of an injury but it certainly wasn't there 3 years ago when I had her vetted. She did pass her vetting but obviously the buyers were informed of this as it may/may not cause a problem in the future. They made me a ludicrous offer for her and said she was basically worthless which I totally disagree with as she is a quality pony with no problems and in the three years i have owned her has never had a seconds illness. Certainly now as a child's pony she is great. A friend of mine suggested we sell her as a broodmare if people are freaked by the cataract. I was unsure whether this would be a possiblity as would a cataract exclude her from being a good broodmare. Does anyone know whether this would be a problem for a prospective buyer as I have no doubt that she would produce a gorgeous foal but would not want to breed from her if a cataract would be inherited and pass onto any foals. Thanks for help information about this.

 

[Fleur100]

If it is due to an injury it won't affect any off-spring. I would be concerned as to what caused it though as you weren't aware of an injury and her eye would have been really sore...

 

[Daisychain]

I would get a second opinion.... I remember a top vet telling me once that cateracts were very grey areas, and many horses failed on what is normal.

 

[Izzy1]

Thanks for the replies. I have found an equine opthalmologist and will probably take her for a second opinion as she is insured. At least then I will have some idea of how to sell her and whether she is likely ever to be affected by this. Hopefully it will turn out OK but at least I can get her the most ideal home.

 

[Daisychain]

Let us know the outcome!

 

[toffeesmarty]

A beautiful TB (by Rough Lad if anyone remembers him) that I owned for 15 years was PTS 10 years ago after having cataracts first in one eye which progressed into the second ten years later. He was first diagnosed at 4 years old. I rode him all through his life (so did some judges as he was a shown in riding horse classes- not that they knew he had very limited vision as he was so responsive to aids

)
He was the 26th horse in the country to have the then ground breaking operation to have one of his cataracts operated on. This op extended his life by 2 years. I know this is a bit off of the subject but wanted to let you know that there is a lot that can be done to help your pony if he does have a cataract and feel free to post me if you want any advice.

 

[Izzy1]

I think this is why I feel so frustrated. She is completely fine to ride, has normal vision and is a happy healthy pony who did actually pass her vetting despite the cataract. I was anxious the buyers were trying to get a cheap pony and after buying her for a ludicrous price at a quarter of her value would then sell her on quite quickly. She deserves much better than that. I think the only way to go is to have her checked out and then at least I will have a bit of paper to say it has been looked at and the outcome. From what I have read and found out from other people it would be unlikely to affect any foals if used as a broodmare as I understand that only certain breeds have inherited tendencies to cataracts. I would ideally like her to have a ridden home but she would be the loveliest mum and her foals would be class!! I will keep you posted. In the meantime I will keep advertising her and find out if other buyers would be put off because I probably wouldn't be (but then I am biased now!!).

 

[toffeesmarty]

Having been through it once I really recommend that you get your pony checked out by your own vet/opthamlic specialist. As, if the cataract deterirates further you need to know what to look for so you can maintain her properly. By 8/9, my gelding's cataracts caused periodic opthalmia which although not preventing me from riding him, did affect how I cared for him.