Disunited horse - I haven't a clue advice please

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LOZHUG

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I have seen a nice cob for sale and he sounds exactly like what I am after which is a plod. The only thing is that his owner says he is disunited and always has been and according to her he has been checked by the vet but nothing has been found as to why.

I am a bit clueless about a horse being disunited I understand it's the wrong lead/sequence/unbalanced etc but what I wanted to know was.....

Would this affect the horse in many way? I am only wanting him to plod for hacking nothing serious.

Would it put you off LWVTB and then buying a horse?

Thanks in advance and sorry to sound a bit thick :)
 
It's unlikely to affect you hacking but for your peace of mind and to rule out any underlying issues I'd ask for videos of him cantering loose in the school or field as well as lunged and ridden to see what he does then. I'd also get him vetted, or at least show your equine vet the videos before you decide to proceed.
 
The term disunited as you have said usually describes a horse that canters out of sequence, being unschooled and unbalanced is the normal reason, to describe a horse as disunited and that he always has been just sounds odd, it may be that the seller is not that knowledgeable or that the horse struggles to canter properly for some reason.

I would go and try him, it may be something and nothing just poor balance and lack of schooling, if you can see him loose it would be interesting to see if he canters normally then, many mess about chopping and changing but usually get it right most of the time, if LWVTB I would, if I liked him, go ahead but get him vetted before parting with any cash just in case there is an underlying issue.
 
Agree with the above, mine was disunited in canter when i got him, a lot of schooling later and hes great, though he was vetted and had no underlying issues...try him and see how you feel, if hes worth having a vetting/seeing him canter loose in school or field :)
 
I have had 2 ponies in the past that have been disunited in canter. Both of them turned out to be weak in their back ends. I spent a lot of time working on their strength, so hacking, schooling mostly in straight lines and pole work. I started with the odd pole here and there and moved up to sequences of poles then raised poles. Took about 6 months but they both came right :) I wouldn't say it would cause you any problems if all you want is a happy hacker, however, echo what the others have said, I would get the horse vetted and have a look at videos of it cantering without a rider. Good luck, if you like the horse I would definitely investigate further :)
 
Unless horse is free and you know for certain that you won't ever want to canter. I wouldn't even consider it
Reasons being IMO there will be a reason for him being disunited and this could mean larger bills/early retirement in future

The canter will be extremely uncomfortable and unbalance you

Most people I know start out wanting to just do walking/trotting hacks very very soon want to do more. Obviously there are people that don't which is why I ask are you sure. Imagine you feel extreme safe. New horse never ever does anything to make you nervous. Wouldn't you perhaps want to have a canter or think that in a years time it might be nice to go on a nice small fun ride with friends?

The other thing to consider is a horse with a potential problem costs as much to keep as a good healthy one. With potential of huge uninsured vet bills on top

Hope that helps
 
As has been said this could be a schooling issue with the horse or it could possibly be a back issue. Before any money changes hands it would need vetting to try & rule out physical problems & then have a think & decide if you know enough to school the problem out of the horse?

There are a lot of horses out there for sale without issues. I'd be tempted to walk away & look elsewhere? Why buy a potential problem? ;)
 
Thanks for your comments. He used to be in a riding school then the person selling had him on loan for 2 years and has now owned him for 2 years. He is a quiet cob right height and age and within my budget with full wardrobe. Hmmm I don't know what to do.... I am planning on going to view him next week.

The owner said this....

"he doesnt come out of it completely but if he is in constant work like a few times a week you can feel him become more balanced and free moving we have had the vet and i have known him since he was about 4 and he has always been like this and the vet says it doesnt effect him and his work so not to worry about it"

Would I be able to speak to her vet about him as to when it was checked out etc?
 
There's also always the chance that he may be a pacer and they haven't realised it. I had one in the past who would walk and trot but was always going disunited in canter and would go from canter into pace when he was tense. He was part standardbred.
 
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It sounds as if he has never been properly worked, schooled or regularly exercised enough to build up his fitness or muscle, the chances are he lacks topline, strength to work, to describe constant work as a "few times a week" means there is every chance he usually gets ridden once in a while, doing more than he is fit enough to manage, having a knock on effect on his balance. I am still not sure whether the owner is describing his movement in general or his canter as it really is unclear in the way she words it.
Cobs do sometimes find cantering difficult, they tend to pull from the front rather than push, it does not always make them disunited but they frequently canter more in 4 time than 3 until they engage properly.

You can speak to the vet, the owner will need to give consent but there is no reason for her not to do so.
 
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