Enlarged Knee..do we walk away?

navaho

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We went to look at a 3yr old cob gelding this afternoon, he has the most laid back attitude ive met in a youngster & we were both really keen on him. However my other half noticed he had an enlarged knee (i think i need a trip to specsavers as how i didn't spot it i don't know), ive spoken to a very experienced friend & she has advised us to walk away. The problem lies in the fact that we both really like him & are torn as to what to do, hes by far the nicest we've been to see & within our very limited budget. The seller has offered to sell him to us with a trial period & a money back guarantee if he becomes lame, he was broken in a month ago & was absolutely fine. Ive no experience of knee injuries so could really do with some sound & sensible advice.
I should add the knee is hard, with no heat & doesn't seem to bother him at all & he would only be used for hacking & maybe the odd pleasure ride.

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You have three options;
1. Walk away from a horse which probably won't pass a vetting/will be uninsurable (if that's important to you).
2. Investigate the knee fully to determine the actual injury, and prognosis - but this could be very expensive.
3. Buy him without investigating it - taking a chance. If you choose this option, you have to give consideration to what sort of future you would give him if he does go unsound.
S :D
 
I hate to say it, but I think you need to walk away. I know a horse with a knee like that, known him 12 years now and he's never been rideable in that time. In fairness he isn't obviously lame in the field, but he becomes unsound anytime the owners try to bring him into work (just hacking).

Horses go wrong so easily, there's no need to pre-empt it by buying one that already has a major problem at three!
 
Yeah that's not just a bump is it!! I certainly wouldn't be keen - there are plenty out there with 'normal' knees.

Did they give you any explanation for what he'd done to the knee?
 
When I read your title I thought maybe a puffy knee which my horse as a 4 yr old got from banging the stable door. When I seen the photo I thought :eek::eek::eek::eek:. That is one big knee. My horse had a soft swelling at the front but that is big.
Sorry but I would def walk away :(
 
When I read your title I thought maybe a puffy knee which my horse as a 4 yr old got from banging the stable door. When I seen the photo I thought :eek::eek::eek::eek:. That is one big knee. My horse had a soft swelling at the front but that is big.
Sorry but I would def walk away :(

I thought exactly the same! I have an old horse with a big knee but it is just a bit puffy at the front and he did it with previous owners going down in the lorry. Never caused a days lameness but the photo you have put up, that lump is huge! Would also worry that it is on the inside therefore more open to being banged by other leg. Best to walk away and put it down to experience.
 
LadyT25 they didnt even know he had it till we pointed it, they arent very horsey people to be honest, & she didnt have a clue how he did do it.
Thanks for all the advice, i just think i needed people to say what i was thinking.
Ill phone his owners in the morning & say sorry we cant have him :(
 
Echo those who have said walk away.

Friend of mine bought a horse (despite advice to get it vetted) about a year ago with known arthritus in its knee (knee twice the size of the other).

Has only been on its back a handlful of times as it goes lame and has to have bute everyday to stay field sound - very expensive pet if you can't ride it imo.
 
I bought a horse with an enlarged knee many years ago around fifteen years lovely horse couldnt do small circles he limped on that side he was only ever going to be a hack quiet mind no jumping, hed had a fall on the knee as a foal or something and it had/would cause stiffness arthiritis as he got older had to be kept out all year because of this he was four too
i sold him easy due to quiteness as i was getting married to someone on yard.
Years past and tried to trace him etc, see how he was catch up, he was freezemarked , could find him anywere i always wonder if he was pts
 
LadyT25 they didnt even know he had it till we pointed it, they arent very horsey people to be honest, & she didnt have a clue how he did do it.
Thanks for all the advice, i just think i needed people to say what i was thinking.
Ill phone his owners in the morning & say sorry we cant have him :(

I think you would be wise to walk away as it does seem very large..but I would also suggest that you reccommend to the owners they investigate the knee as realistically he will not sell with that knee unless the extent of the injury is known.
 
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