declarable vices

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katie_laaa

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About 3 and a half years ago I sadly had to sell my pony due to increasing university commitments. My mare suffered from sweet itch and had had a bout of laminitis induced by concussion, about a year before i sold her, resulting in her wearing pads on her front feet. I was desperately concerned that she should go to a knowledgeable, loving home and was fully aware that she had very little market value due to her medical issues despite being a well mannered, affectionate and fun loving pony! A pony club instructor was looking on behalf of a client, at 13.2hh my pony was too big for the 5 yr old girl, but behaved impeccably, so much so that the instructor 'fell in love with her' and offered to buy her. I let the pony go for £400 including saddle, bridle, sweet itch rugs EVERYTHING! on the understanding that she was going to an excellent home that would give her the care and love that she needed and deserved.

I am mortified to have recently tracked down my pony and discover that she was sold on a couple of months later for £2,500 with out telling the new owners that she had suffered from laminitis. This led to another, more serious bout that has led to her being retired at 12! Thankfully these new owners are wonderful people and are taking great care of her, many would have had her PTS. Had they had been told of the lami and known she she should have worn pads, they would have managed her accordingly and had a happy healthy pony.

What is the legal standing on selling on a pony without declaring laminitis? And should people like this be allowed to be associated with the pony club?
 
With a private sale, I don't think you have to declare anything unless specifically asked. Obviously if the seller lies that's different but if the question "has she ever had laminitis" wasn't asked I think it's caveat emptor, buyer beware. If it was a trade sale, it's different as the horse has to be fit for purpose. Sad situation but thank god she's ended up happy and cared for x
 
Not sure if vices HAVE to be declared without asking but I was advised some years ago by my vet to always specifically ask if the horse had any vices.

Not sure about previous health issues though. If you ask a direct question you have to be given the truthful answer but there are many people out there looking to get a cheap horse. Some years ago I had to sell my horse who had low level navicular as I was moving abroad. Despite having been completely truthful about it and priced him accordingly I subsequently found out that the purchaser had sold him on having done BSJA with him.
 
I know that sweet Itch HAS to be declared in a Private sale, so susect most of the other things listed on here, should also be declared.
 
Wouldn't the vetting have shown up previous laminitis? I've seen vets and farriers walk up to a new horse and ask when it had laminitis just by looking at it's feet. Maybe it's different for concussion but I wouldn't think so.
 
The best think to do when buying horses is to ask every question under the sun - then the seller should respond. If you don't ask then they don't have to tell you.

I always ask - does the horse, crib, windsuck, weave, chew wood, jump out of paddock.
What is it like when - fed in the paddock with others. On the road and in traffic, how does it beahve in company - on own. How does it behave at shows, does the horse, buck, rear, bite. Has it been unsound since you've had it? Has it ever had laminitis. Does it get sweet itch, Whats it like with the farrier, vet, injections etc

The list is long but if you ask in depth you'll be more sure of what you are getting.

Do get a receipt - this is so important. Make sure that it has a full description of the horse, age what it's done. I was able to return a horse and be fully refunded for all expenses and the cost of the horse as the dealer said it was 7yrs old and in fact it was 13 - to old for what I wanted. I had a detailed receipt.
 
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