Extra Bone Growth on Fetlock...

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Scranny_Ann

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I'm looking into buying a horse, perfect in every way almost ...

...she has a an enlarged fetlock, previous owners have had it scanned etc and subsequently revealed it's extra bone growth, she's 6 years old and as far as i am told always been sound on it. She's slightly pigeon toed on that foot ... any experience/input anyone?

I will be having her vetted but if someone has an input before then (Friday) i would appreciate it.

Real shame as she's perfect for me .... but i am worried about problems developing there, arthritis etc ...

Thanks :)
 
Haven't a clue I'm sorry, but my girl has 1 fetlock a fraction larger than the other behind. Never been scanned or anything, and it will fill minutely if she's not worked for a few days, but touching wood and everything else, it's never been a problem either. I've had her 2 years and it was like it when I got her as a 6yo. They must breed 'em like that down here!
 
Couldn't be a worse joint, it's a high use/motion joint. Putting down bone at 6 yrs old is serious. I wouldn't buy, think of the steroid injections it'll need to stop further bone growth and the associated lameness/box rest and even then you'll be looking at operations down the line which still have a high chance of not making it come right - nightmare ...... it'll fail a vetting and you won't be able to get insurance for that joint either. You'll get a high arthritis susceptibility after too. Unless they pay you a good few thousand to take it on I'd avoid like the plague, so sorry:(.

Oh, and I speak from experience
 
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Ditto what Rotchana says.

Unless all you want the horse for is to go on walks for a small amount of time, then go ahead. If you would like to do more, save your vetting money.

I too speak from experience.
 
What do you want the horse for? it could be numourous things, maybe ask for the scan results or speak to the vet who did it and ask their opinion before you have it vetted.

And tbh vetting is so unreliable, they either find a problem, which will never cause a problem, or pass it, as one case i know recently, people paid 9k for it passed full 5 stage vetting 2mths later it is being pts due to various problems.
 
Thanks for your replies.

She will be used for hacking (not light hacks), hunting, schooling (including lessons every other week) aiming for XC too.

She's been hunted since 4yo and been XC.

My vet has spoken to their vets and the conclusion was 'nothing to worry about' but i really am! My farrier says the same as you guys, arthritis etc.

My vet is coming tomorrow, i'm booked for a vetting but he's going to do some preliminary tests, flexion etc and will indicate whether there is reduced flexion etc before any vetting occurs. Although, and i can't believe i'm saying it, i think i'm already deicded ... it's just too risky :( such a shame. She's my dream horse on every level imaginable!!

Sods law i think it's called!!!!
 
Well tbh if she has hunted and things with no problems i wouldnt be unduly worried tbh.

Is she very expensive?

Aslong as you can get her insured with no exclusion, i would crack on, if she is exactly what you want.
 
Thats not much money at all for a safe hunter. I would vet and see what he says. She could break a leg tomorrow in the field.
 
In todays market for £3500 you could get plenty of other horses. I really would not take the risk. Extra bone growth in a 6 year old would be a complete no no for me. And it will be for the insurance too, it's extremely unlikely that you will get cover for lameness in that leg if it's recorded on the vet certificate.
 
I am sorry to say this, but I would not touch her with a bargepole! There are so many things that can go wrong anyway and given the fact that she is only six I wouldn't risk it particularly given what you want to do with her. There's no harm in the vet doing a preliminary inspection, but be very wary!
 
Thanks for all your replies :)

I cancelled the vetting in the end, in the end the cons outweighed the cons .. such a shame! Hope she finds a lovely home soon and for me... the search continues!!!!

Thanks for your help everyone :)
 
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