Dilema - What stage vetting?

[Antw23uk]

Hi all
Thanks again for helping in my decision to vet a new horse im hoping to get when the vetting will cost a lot more than the price of the horse!
I phoned my vets yesterday to say i would like a two stage vetting on him and they said they dont recommend a two stage vetting for a horse thats being brought for ridden work.

Now my dilema ....
He is 14 years old and has been used as a companion for the last nine months. No reason other than his owner brought a smaller horse more suitable and a friend needed a companion at her yard down the road.

He is an ex flat and hurdle racer ~(unsuccessful) and since retiring sound has been used as a happy hacker/ fun rides all rounder type and thats what I want him for.

He has done a bit of lunging recently, a handful of times really .. twice being when ive been to see him. He was sat on twice last week, once being with me after a lunging session and was perfect in the fifteen and ten minutes he was ridden per ride.
I have full faith and trust in his owner and the lady he is with currently. I do not doubt this.

So do i go for a 2 stage or more? I dont want him 'pushed' too much on the vetting as I dont think it would be fair on him as he hasnt been in work for nine months but at the same time I dont want to be ignoring my vets advise.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Difficult I did 5 stage last year on a 6 year old ISH and he was crooked and needed alot of help to rehabilitate and use his back - not evidenced in vetting process so no good to me.

I bought a Haffie last month known thru networks 14 years young and didn't vet.

 

[hnmisty]

Since you said the cost of the vetting could be more than the horse, I'm guessing that you're getting him pretty cheap (or have the world's most expensive vets!). Why not look at is as part of his buying price?

I would always have that niggling suspicion that he didn't become a companion just because he was surplus to requirement... and so I'd just pay the extra.

It might cost you £300 extra, but it could save you an awful lot in the long run...

If you've known him for a while, I wouldn't be so worried.

 

[Antw23uk]

Since you said the cost of the vetting could be more than the horse, I'm guessing that you're getting him pretty cheap (or have the world's most expensive vets!). Why not look at is as part of his buying price?

I would always have that niggling suspicion that he didn't become a companion just because he was surplus to requirement... and so I'd just pay the extra.

It might cost you £300 extra, but it could save you an awful lot in the long run...

If you've known him for a while, I wouldn't be so worried.

Thank you, yes i see this as part of his buying price. I just think regardless if a horse is costing one pound or 100 thousand pounds you still need to have it vetted. Its just that i thought a two stage would be suitable but now not sure!

 

[hnmisty]

I had a horse vetted last month and it failed in the trot up, so I only got charged for a 2*, which was £150. The full 5* would have been £270, so only £120 more. Which for peace of mind, isn't that much really.

I'm having one vetted on Thurs (5*), the lady I'm hopefully buying him from said she has had people get 5* vettings done on £900 ponies, and no vetting done at all on £5000 horses.

If you're uncertain, paying that little bit extra will surely help you put your mind at ease?