Failed vetting - heart over head?

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shellonabeach

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Sorry if this turns out rambling and long.

I have been looking for a cheap project horse for sometime and a couple of weeks ago tried and put a deposit on a ID x TB mare (just turned 8) who had not previously been ridden for 14 months due to a leg injury on her off hind where her foot had gone through the floor of a trailer. She was put in a foal last year to give the leg chance to heal but did not take - was only covered by the stallion once.

Whilst the horse is very green under saddle having done nothing for an 8 year old she has perfect manners and attitude.

Had the vetting today, only went for 2 stage due to the fact she is out of work, and she failed on slight lower leg lameness on the near-fore. Vet couldn't diagnose what was wrong with the leg (reeled out a whole list) but told me she couldn't recommend me buying the horse.

My friend called the vet for further clarification as I hadn't really taken in what she had said before. The vet felt rather suspicious about the mare being out of work etc and felt that if she was lame after 14 months rest she would be hopping lame if brought back into work.

I would love to make a lower offer and give her a chance but I am looking for a 2nd horse to bring on to replace my old gelding who needs to start slowing down.

My friend has suggested since I have really fallen for the mare (she is a lovely girl and I have tried her 4 times!) that I offer about £800 for her and sell her on as a brood mare if she doesn't come sound. She is registered.

Of course on the other hand I like anyone cannot afford a vet bill on legs!!

Any words of wisdom or advice people who have been in a similar situation would be gratefully received.

Thanks x
 
I wouldn't - there are plenty of sound project horses out there - she sounds as if she might be best as a broodmare/companion.
 
Its a tricky situation but you need to do what feels right and miracles do happen and you never know she might come sound and be fine and if she doesn't, do what you suggested about selling her on as a broodmare. I wouldn't pay more than a £1000 for her thoughxx
 
Sorry to sound harsh but I wouldn't touch her with a 10 foot pole. You don't know what is causing the lameness, so can't guarantee it won't be bred into her foal. Also, if you have to sell her on for whatever reason, you will really battle.
Whilst I love my mare to bits, I didn't get her vetted (she was given to me) and subsequently found out that she had bone spavin and couldn't do a whole host of things. It also cost me a fortune getting her diagnosed.
Looking back, I would have much rather 'looked a gift horse in the mouth', forked out a couple of hundred for the vetting and walked away.
 
If its a project horse I presume you will want to sell in the future? If so, wouldnt touch it. Also wouldnt put in foal just because she is a mare and broken
crazy.gif
Sorry!!
 
do you mean project horse as in to buy and then sell on for profit? If so, and this horse is lame, you will have problems selling her at a later date!!!
 
She is not worth £800 as a broodmare. You will struggle to sell her for that as she has no track record. Personally I would run away very fast and take the opinion of your vet - which you paid good money for.

She is only worth meat money - so if you really do want her offer about £400. But she has been lame for 14 months sat in a field - you aren't going to be able to ride her until she is sound, which it doesn't sound realistically like she will ever be.
 
Opps think I have come across wrongly.

I honestly didn't think I would find myself in this situation as I am normally a sensible person and a fortnight ago turned down a free horse from a friend of a friend who was sound but not for me.

I am looking for a project horse for myself, not to sell on.

I have ridden the mare on a couple of occassions hence my several visits, and unfortunately really fell for her, this is why I'm finding this all so difficult. The lameness was only really evident after the flexion test / trotting on a circle on concrete.

As for her suitability as a broodmare she is well-bred and registered, well put together and has an excellent temprement, of course on the other hand she hasn't done anything to prove that she is worthy of reproducing. Also I myself have no desire to breed anything!

JM07 I was waiting for your reply as the buyer and seller of many good horses, you should have said those other words since the sensible side of me really needs the support to kick heart up the ar$e!

Anyway I think you guys have confirmed it and I will be walking away and hoping she finds herself a nice home with someone else.
 
Feel for you Shell. As I said on my PM, I am sure the right horse is waiting just around the corner.

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