Do you trust Horse Vets?

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IrishRegulus

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Dear All,

I saw a similar thread but it was old, so I thought I'd start another and see how it went.

Since becoming a hrose owner, I am sorry to say that I've practically lost all faith in horse vets; but, I stress to say that I've been lucky and found, perhaps, the last honest and competent vet in Ireland..and I'm sticking with her.

The first horse I bought was a bit lame - no worries - I knew before I viewed - owner did not mention his "history" vountarily until I raised the issue..nasty little cuss that she was (sorry, I reserve a circle of hell for people who lie to sell their horse - all they care about is money)...Spoke about his history - arrnaged for vet to come out.

Little did I knwo at the time, but the vet was "affiliated" with the yard and basically told me a croc of *****, in order to (I suspect) help his "mate" sell her horse.

Horse had a blown tendon...and I was going to walk away but the vet told me that two months field rest would be fine (along with all the usual, hosing etc) I have the cash in my hands..I was very honest and upfront about what I wanted..and that's what he said.

Silly me that I would place my trust in another human being, supposedly operating under strict regulation. Well, lesson learned. 6 weeks post sale...horse was showing no signs of improvement...Rang "vet" and he annouced that he'd told me 6 months.

Outright lies, you b*gger!

When one pays a man £100 for 15 mins work, one tends to remember VERBATUM that which he tells you...Gosh, I ran to the car after and wrote it all down.haha

Anyway, dust yourself off and move on...note to self - don't use him again. He's clearly a moral reprobate.

So, I ended up running myself ragged trying to find a home for a 17 year old, lame horse...no easy task...but eventually..thank gosh for the passports, I got in touch (in desperation) with a former owner who was overjoyed to have his horse back...last I saw, Norman (the horse) was reunited with some old friends in a familiar home...and a forever home.

I'm a baldie, 40 year old gruff, rough Irish man...and it brought tears to my eyes..seeing the happiness of that poor animal, who'd been passed from pillar to post, all the while his injury getting worse.

Ironic that I, in the end, was the only one who gave a tinker's cuss about that animal. Sure, I lost money..but it's money well spent just being able to bring some joy to that horse.

MAybe I'm naive but I alwasy thought that love of animals was the prime motivator for becoming a vet but it would appear that this profession, jsut like human medicine, is burdened by those for whom the financial reward surpasses the conviction the heal and protect. Effin' disgusting, is what that is.

Another time, wheh dealing with mud fever...three vets completely contradicted each other when advising treatment.

Jez Louise..it's like Cathollic Europe just before the reformation..three poples...and salvation lies through obedience to one...shhesssh...one pope's taking you to heaven - the other two to perdition..lol.

I told the last vet about the previous two and he actually tried to defend them in a rather clusmy manner, I have to say...Vet may know their animal biology but I've yet to find one with superior social skills...much like GPs actually.

Clearly two of those vets needed to go back to school

My friend's vet decided my horse had a liver problem - all based on his making a face one day.

"oh, that's a liver problem" he said knowingly and somewhat cryptically

"I was thikning his kidneys myself" I sassed back "gosh," said I, "you can tell all that from a facial experssion? You should be the Palace Vet" He did not like that, but I gave him my best "teacher doesn't believe your homework excuse" look..or, for watn of a better phrase

"Don't p*ss down my back and tell me it's raining, sonny"

I just can't get past the fact that most vets I've dealt with try to push products that maybe aren't necessary

So...are vet's animal doctors or closer to salespeople?

thanks for reading.x

What do you guys think?
 
I think you have an issue with vets .
I trust my vets it's a trust based on knowledge .... Mine ,your own knowledge is want allows you to work out who to trust with what and when .
 
I totally trust that my vet has my horse's best interest at heart and have yet to come across a vet of any kind who doesn't do their job for any other reason than their love of animals and their passionate desire to help.

I also don't believe that all vets have all the answers, because medicine isn't like that. But my experience so far is that the vets I use work with me to do everything they can.
 
Like GS, I think you have a problem there with vets.....

I thoroughly trust my vet, we have a good mutual working relationship. I would like to hope I know enough not to bother vet unless really necessary, he comes and does a v good job whenever required. We have a good trust.

I have never had any vet try to 'push' products or meds on me. In fact its the other way - in that they will often suggest the best adage of watch and monitor :)

Edited to add: Yes, I think you are (and have been) nieve. I dont know anyone who would knowingly purchase a lame horse & then rest it for 2 months or more, if they were buying a horse to ride.
 
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Love my Vets. They, quite literally, have saved my horses life twice in just over a year. Both times they were completely honest with me about his chances & what the likely cost would be. Yes it has cost a lot (sorry NFU!). Of course it costs to have serious treatment by experts, but if they hadn't had the expertise he wouldn't be here & I am grateful for their skill.
 
Some vets I don't feel a good 'vibe' with (don't strike me as caring) and others I'm completely happy with. I wouldn't say it's only equine vets that I haven't particularly liked. However almost all the vets we've had have been excellent.
 
skint1 said:
I think most vets act with the best of intentions most of the time.
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I would rather they acted in the best interests of the horse, and if it is outwith their ability/knowledge or experience level they should ask for advice.
I was used to working with World Class vets before I bought a pony, and believe me vets are extremely variable in their skills and ability, but they all seem confident. It is part of their training, I think they should have more practical experience if they are going to deal with horses.
One vet told me that he was not going to handle my youngest stallion as it had attacked the former groom, so he would use a twitch. I told him that he was to not going to use a twitch to inject a horse, and that I would do it if he would hold the leadrope. Obviously that did not suit his macho image so he managed to jab it without twitching.
The owner had told me this "attacked the groom" story and for a week I was forbidden to go near it, obviously I spent a few minutes every day explaining to the stallion that I was not going to beat him up, so he was perfectly well behaved with me. I knew from their fear that all five stallions had been threatened, and this one had had enough.
 
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Yep had a good few incompetent vets and some downright liars as well. Also had some who were great at their jobs but just @r$3h0le human beings only interested in fleecing you for money.

Great that you have found a good vet, I now only call my vets for things I cannot treat myself and for jags and teeth.
 
I trust and respect 100% the equine vet practice I use. I've never encountered a vet who would deliberately tell lies. Unlike doctors whose patients can speak and tell them their symptoms, vets have a much more difficult task diagnosing illness/injuries. These people are intelligent, dedicated and work very long hours to provide us with 24hr care for our horses. I for one couldn't do their job.
 
Gosh - I must be the unluckiest person re. vets then as yours all sound wonderful :) Well, at least I've got a keeper now and she's very forthcoming and sharing with her knowledge - her attitude being that there's loads of stuff we can do ourselves before running up an unnecessary bill -she's even waived an ocassional call-out. Because of her sterling attitude, I've already recommended her to other folks who, in turn , have used her services and, of course, she's got my custom for the foreseeable :) A wiser chappie than I once said that the best thing is do move and allow market forces to do the rest :) I am glad my tale was of some amusement - t'was the intent...a rant always goes down more smoothly if there's a little humour attached. Happy riding boys and girls!
 
I think vets are like all human beings, there are good ones and bad ones.

I have known one that always looked drunk, but seemed to be a good vet. One who was bloomin useless, and after reporting her twice to the senior practice vet, as did many other horrified owners, she was shown the door and is now a dentist. From what I have heard she is not a competent dentist either.

I have had wonderful horsemen who are vets, the kind who can hop on to feel a problem. The ones I get riled about though is when a new vet, who only looks about 8 years old, turns up for anything other than vaccinations. I have had bad enough experience with this that if my horse actually needs treatment than I box up and see the senior vet, and pay for the privilege.

I fully appreciate that students/newly qualified need to learn, but my horse is a family member, and they are not going to "practice" on my horse.

I have not met a crooked vet, as in giving a duff certificate.
 
No, I think you were unlucky, but to be honest the rules have changed and the history of a horse in generally available if you use the vet of the vendor.
There is a vet I know who did not diagnose classic laminitis, she had not done any equine, so how could she know the symptoms?
A lady I know asked asked a senior vet to set up practice locally as her vet [as above] was "effin useless", unfortunately it turned out that it was his daughter lol.
 
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Goldenstar said:
I think most of us only call vets for things we can't treat ourselves .
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That is as it should be, I called out vets quite frequently in my early days and I was prepared to do so as I had little understanding of horses, though I had lots of livestock experience.
In light of my later experience [40 years of], I would not have bought the horse [never sound soon after purchase] but I used the top vet in the area [as he was proud to tell me]. So............... if an owner tells you there has been a problem,, walk away.
 
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I'm a baldie, 40 year old gruff, rough Irish man...and it brought tears to my eyes..seeing the happiness of that poor animal, who'd been passed from pillar to post, all the while his injury getting worse.
Unquote.

Never mind the Vets - I think you're a star!!!!!
 
Zuzzie said:
Quote:
I'm a baldie, 40 year old gruff, rough Irish man...and it brought tears to my eyes..seeing the happiness of that poor animal, who'd been passed from pillar to post, all the while his injury getting worse.
Unquote.

Never mind the Vets - I think you're a star!!!!!
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Me too! IrishRegulus I admire you for what you've done for the horse. It's so heart-warming to hear the outcome.
 
Irish vets are a 'unique' sort. I can relate to what the OP is saying having grown up in Ireland and having bought horses there.....they are very different to UK vets particularly the 'old generation' .....let's hope the younger generation coming through have more ethics....buyers beware over there too....
Well done OP on doing the best buy that horse :)
 
OP your post cheered me right up. I have faith in two vets in my area coincidentally both are Irish. I have had a couple of bad experiences with vets, my local practice has had quite a high turn over of staff in recent years and I get used to someone and then they leave. I dislike it when a vet's first question is "Is the horse insured?" I want the best treatment options for the animal - who is paying in my opinion should be immaterial to the best way forward.
 
Lovely story about the old horse finding himself back home with an old owner :) put a smile on my face!
Regarding vets.. There are some I don't trust, one around here is known for taking backhanders off dodgy dealers ! Of course there is no proof, but when buying my first pony, as a naive and inexperienced family we put our trust in the vet to 5 stage vet this pony. She was lame (I can see that now as she was awful on the trot up ) and had a huge whacking bursitis on her poll! he ran his hand over and said nothing, I only noticed a few months later. Shortly after her tendon tore :( not nice for young girl buying her first pony.

However I trust a couple of vets and tend to only use those now, I know they are only human and make mistakes, and certainly don't know everything but I know these are honest and will tell me if they don't know at least ! and then point me in the right direction. I stopped using one vet as his response to absolutely everything was "box rest and bute it" . Now I don't ever put 100% trust in anyone regarding my horses to be honest, I always carefully research and consider options myself where possible.
 
Gift Horse said:
OP your post cheered me right up. I have faith in two vets in my area coincidentally both are Irish. I have had a couple of bad experiences with vets, my local practice has had quite a high turn over of staff in recent years and I get used to someone and then they leave. I dislike it when a vet's first question is "Is the horse insured?" I want the best treatment options for the animal - who is paying in my opinion should be immaterial to the best way forward.
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The vets are trained to ask that question as they may offer different treatments, but that is what they are told to ask, and without any explanation it makes us owners pretty mad. I can understand the several reasons, which includes the time frame for treatment, but they should explain their reasons.
I find most modern vets are very reluctant to educate their clients, usually that indicates lack of knowledge and I really don't like it.
I have had to use a certain vet who I don't like, as one does not know who is going to turn up, but after the last one came, with her usual lack of customer skills, getting an unqualified person to jab my horse without asking my permission, then jamming my horse in a corner to do his teeth, and being ratty, I just phoned the vet practice and told them not to send her to me ever again.
 
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