Do you always have a new horse vetted?

Sooty

Sooty

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 April 2004
Messages
22,480
Location
Brussels sprout country
Visit site
We are looking for a happy hacker, and one has come up which sounds ideal. However, the seller is saying as one sale has fallen through (buyer was kicked), she needs a quick sale and would prefer someone not to delay the purchase by having the horse vetted. The horse is for sale for £2550, but on the basis that it costs as much to keep a bad horse as a good one, I am wary of not getting a basic vetting done. Thoguhts? Thanks!
 
Alarm bells would be ringing if the seller is trying to put you off vetting!!! I would defo get it vetted, or just walk away now and maybe save yourself a couple of hundred quid.
 
Dont go on what others do, go with your gut feeling. You say you are wary of not having a basic vetting, if the vendor will not allow it and it is what you want then walk away.

Having horses vetted is a personal thing, some people do, some dont, some go the whole hog and have xrays. At the end of the day I think of it a bit like an MOT which IMO is really only valid on that day. Things can still go wrong!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Alarm bells would be ringing if the seller is trying to put you off vetting!!! I would defo get it vetted, or just walk away now and maybe save yourself a couple of hundred quid.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto this
 
Thanks everyone - you are confirming my thoughts. I am not enough of an expert to look for things myself which might be obvious to someone more experienced. I'd spot a missing leg, but that is about it!
 
Absolutely. I was given a horse, didn't have her vetted and her subsequent treatment for bone spavin ended up costing me far more than what an initial vetting would have. The insurance wouldn't pay because, even though she was sound when I took her on, there was no vet certificate to prove it. It is peace of mind for a couple of hundred quid. It also gives you a point of reference for how the horse's movement, behaviour etc should be, so it is easier to pinpoint any changes or abnormalities later on.
 
when I brought my horse I had him vetted.I went to see him on the Monday,had him vetted on the Friday although I could have had it done sooner and brought him home on the Saturday.Vetting is essential if you are looking to have a horse you can ride,regardless of whether it is a happy hacker or not especially when you are paying that kind of money just for a happy hacker.I would either insist on a vetting or else walk away.If the horse was up for sale at £1000 or so maybe I wouldn't bother with the vetting but I would then expect to find some sort of problem with the horse.
 
No Sooty....always vet,as that happy hacker could end up costing alot more than the £2550 you will pay!
frown.gif
 
I agree with going on your gut feeling. I didn't get my boy vetted as I knew he would fail, but that little voice inside was screaming at me to bundle him in the lorry and get him home. that was over three years ago and I dont regret getting him.
 
Agree with everyone else here.

It is one thing YOU deciding not to have a vetting but here the seller is trying to push you into not having one. IMO that is cause enough to be staright on the phone to the vet, if you like the horse.
 
I have bought horses without vetting before but if the seller had told me they didn't want it vetted I'd insist on it, or walk away. By the sounds of things they have something to hide, I'd walk away.
 
I've NEVER had one vetted yet
blush.gif

However, I don't spend vast amounts of money on horses/ponies so I feel I can take my chances..
I suppose it depends on whether you can afford to take the chance.
I'm picking daughters new horse up tomorrow..unvetted..eeekkk
crazy.gif
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have bought horses without vetting before but if the seller had told me they didn't want it vetted I'd insist on it, or walk away. By the sounds of things they have something to hide, I'd walk away.

[/ QUOTE ]

agree actually...I'd be a bit suspicious
crazy.gif
 
Thank you everyone; you have very much confirmed what Troggy and I thought. I don't want to go into detail, am just wary of being told if I want a vetting I may well not be able to buy the horse. It just seems odd.
 
I have never had one vetted yet, but in all cases the seller was more than happy to let me have it vetted if I wanted, in your case I'd be wary, becuase she does not want it vetted.
 
The reason the sale fell through is because it failed the vet - only guessing though. I always vet now and I have had 2 cheap horses fail this year.
 
I didn't go to vet school for 7 years and don't have xray vision or the ability to spot a heart/lung defect so I always vet.

I echo what others have said, the seller not wanting the vetting does seem sus, I had my boy vetted the day after seeing him and picked him up that afternoon it doesn't take long if you know your vet and they are willing to call with results
smile.gif
 
I have never had a horse vetted - I generally do a rudimentary vetting myself. However in this situation, where the seller is saying not to vet ... hmm yep alarm bells would be ringing for me too. I'd still not have it vetted; I'd simply not buy it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
... hmm yep alarm bells would be ringing for me too. I'd still not have it vetted; I'd simply not buy it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. I have decided not to go and see this horse. I feel uncomfortable about the whole scenario, and it is not necessarily a perfect horse anyway. Most owners are happy for a horse to be vetted, some are happy for a potential customer to contact the horse's current vet - this appeared to be neither.
 
CAVEAT EMPTOR!!! i would always vet, don't believe what the seller tells you - she is just trying to get shot of the horse! It would be an expensive mistake if there is something seriously wrong and you bought "sold as seen".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top