Failed vetting opinion…

[MummyMoo]

Hi everyone. So, I’ve fallen for an 11 year old mare. She’s a dream to ride and feels perfect to me. We had a 5 stage vetting and she failed due to the stifle issue mentioned above. What are your opinions and experiences with similar stifle issues? I’ve already pulled out of the purchase but I can’t imagine finding another horse I enjoy riding as much as her

 

[Clodagh]

Depends how much she costs and how much you are prepared to spend on her.
As someone who didn’t vet but would pts if things became too expensive to manage I’d probably buy her because I enjoyed riding her. That’s assuming she’s not mad money.

 

[Equi]

Honestly, you’d be buying a horse knowing it’s going to be lame soon and require steroids. It’s not too different from buying one with arthritis. So it entirely depends on what you want to do and cost.

Id wager it is a cobby type and therefore likely also has CPL (the mallenders on all four is a dead give away)

 

[ycbm]

I wouldn't buy an 11 year old with stifle effusion, sorry. It's a difficult joint to keep sound once it's gone wrong, far more complicated than a bit of hock arthritis.
.

 

[nagblagger]

Depends how much she costs and how much you are prepared to spend on her.
As someone who didn’t vet but would pts if things became too expensive to manage I’d probably buy her because I enjoyed riding her. That’s assuming she’s not mad money.

Ditto.

 

[ihatework]

What sort of work has she been in to date, how long have owners had her/can you see her vet history, how much is she, what do you want to do with her, and what are your expectations for ongoing management costs?

These are all factors to consider before a hard yes/no

 

[MummyMoo]

Thanks for your replies. I know I need to use my head and not my heart in this case. I’ve always kept my horses until the end so I’ve done my fair share of caring for horses that are no longer rideable. I just wanted something to have fun on for a few years but she’s most likely not the one. Yes, she is a cob. Such a shame, she’s so forward, fun but also safe. Seemed perfect until the vetting

 

[Goldenstar]

Depends how much you can afford to spend on vets .

 

[Bobthecob15]

It’s so frustrating isn’t it? We just bought a horse that had some issues on vetting..probably a bit of a gamble but it’s a balance between what you are prepared to manage/cope with for the right horse. Only you can decide if it’s worth the gamble or not

 

[MummyMoo]

It’s so frustrating isn’t it? We just bought a horse that had some issues on vetting..probably a bit of a gamble but it’s a balance between what you are prepared to manage/cope with for the right horse. Only you can decide if it’s worth the gamble or not

I really hope it works out for you. I can’t stop thinking about this mare. I haven’t enjoyed riding a horse like her in years but now I know about the stifle issue, maybe I wouldn’t enjoy riding her the same anyway…

 

[Glitter's fun]

Go with your head not your heart. Horses always break your heart anyway but no point giving them a head start! You decided to get a vetting. No point having it done if you are going to ignore it now. This one isn't your horse but it's out there & will find you.

 

[MummyMoo]

Go with your head not your heart. Horses always break your heart anyway but no point giving them a head start! You decided to get a vetting. No point having it done if you are going to ignore it now. This one isn't your horse but it's out there & will find you.

You’re absolutely right. Thank-you for the virtual slap. I needed it

 

[ycbm]

I really hope it works out for you. I can’t stop thinking about this mare. I haven’t enjoyed riding a horse like her in years but now I know about the stifle issue, maybe I wouldn’t enjoy riding her the same anyway…

If you buy her you will probably worry every single time you see or feel her take an uneven step.
.

 

[MummyMoo]

If you buy her you will probably worry every single time you see or feel her take an uneven step.
.

Yep, I definitely would

 

[Bobthecob15]

I really hope it works out for you. I can’t stop thinking about this mare. I haven’t enjoyed riding a horse like her in years but now I know about the stifle issue, maybe I wouldn’t enjoy riding her the same anyway…

Thanks ours were minor issues really but it was very borderline, the vet was erring on the side of caution in our case. Hopefully works out ok x

 

[View]

If you buy her you will probably worry every single time you see or feel her take an uneven step.
.

This in bucket loads.

 

[Rowreach]

Stifles are hard to deal with (I have a 19 year old here who was retired at 6 with stifle issues) and quite often cause other joints to strain and degenerate as well, so I would also give it a hard no.

Having said that, it looks like her feet need some work and her legs are sore from the mallanders (sallanders on the hinds!) and sorting all that out would probably help with soundness and movement anyway.

I'm not a fan of buying a known problem, but on the other hand we all know of multiple horses that have sailed through a 5 stage vetting only to fall apart a few months/weeks later, so if she's cheap enough, maybe ...

 

[SusieT]

Not with a barge pole. The horse is likely being worked despite being low grade lame - either buy with a plan to work up, turn out ( plenty of movement) and knowledge it may be a field ornament, or walk away

 

[SantaVera]

Depends on what you want to do with the horse. Gentle hacking? In hand agility? If its low level type stuff and the horse can live mostly out then if the price is right I'd buy.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have never vetted a horse for myself. Only once has that gone wrong - and I'm not sure the problem would have shown up on a vetting but I've had several horses that developed problems later. You can guarantee that every horse will develop a problem if you keep it long enough!

However, you chose to vet this horse, presumably because you wanted the vet's opinion. Did the vet say the horse would be suitable for your purpose? If not walk away, if so, use the vetting to get the price down as low as possible and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[holeymoley]

View attachment 136609Hi everyone. So, I’ve fallen for an 11 year old mare. She’s a dream to ride and feels perfect to me. We had a 5 stage vetting and she failed due to the stifle issue mentioned above. What are your opinions and experiences with similar stifle issues? I’ve already pulled out of the purchase but I can’t imagine finding another horse I enjoy riding as much as her

It all depends how much you have to spend on her and what you plan on doing with her. She could last a few more years at riding club level and hacking, then you'll probably find without treatment there's not much else you'll be able to do with her.

1- Manageable
2- Manageable
3- Red flag at 11 years old
4- No experience of this so can't comment.

 

[Wishfilly]

Is this a mare you already know? If so, and the owners were willing to sell very, very cheap AND you are willing to accept she might become unridable at a pretty young age, then maybe?

If she's just a random horse you've viewed, I promise you will find another you like just as much!

 

[MummyMoo]

Is this a mare you already know? If so, and the owners were willing to sell very, very cheap AND you are willing to accept she might become unridable at a pretty young age, then maybe?

If she's just a random horse you've viewed, I promise you will find another you like just as much!

She’s a mare I know. The owners were asking a lot for her. I presume they’ll try to sell her to someone else (maybe for a little less) and hope they don’t have her vetted before they’ll consider letting her go cheap. I think I’d constantly worry about the issue and it’d take the enjoyment out of riding her anyway

 

[MummyMoo]

I have never vetted a horse for myself. Only once has that gone wrong - and I'm not sure the problem would have shown up on a vetting but I've had several horses that developed problems later. You can guarantee that every horse will develop a problem if you keep it long enough!

However, you chose to vet this horse, presumably because you wanted the vet's opinion. Did the vet say the horse would be suitable for your purpose? If not walk away, if so, use the vetting to get the price down as low as possible and keep your fingers crossed.

I wanted her for low level dressage and jumping. The vet said she can’t guarantee that she’ll be suitable. She said that even though she seems comfortable enough now, if her work load increases or if she’s asked to use her hocks more, the issue could worsen

 

[Wishfilly]

She’s a mare I know. The owners were asking a lot for her. I presume they’ll try to sell her to someone else (maybe for a little less) and hope they don’t have her vetted before they’ll consider letting her go cheap. I think I’d constantly worry about the issue and it’d take the enjoyment out of riding her anyway

I wanted her for low level dressage and jumping. The vet said she can’t guarantee that she’ll be suitable. She said that even though she seems comfortable enough now, if her work load increases or if she’s asked to use her hocks more, the issue could worsen

If they're asking a lot for her, and there's a risk she won't stand up to the job you want, then I think unfortunately the only sensible thing to do is walk away. I do think there are other nice horses out there, especially if you feel you'd no longer enjoy riding and owning her.

I'd be surprised if they'd find someone to buy her without a vetting if she's got a high price.

 

[Melody Grey]

Not the main issue here granted, but I’d be wary of a horse presented with mallanders/ sallanders and untrimmed/ unbalanced feet. They’re not difficult or expensive to rectify and I’d be worried how long and to what detriment the horse had been worked like that (the feet).

 

[AmyMay]

Not the main issue here granted, but I’d be wary of a horse presented with mallanders/ sallanders and untrimmed/ unbalanced feet. They’re not difficult or expensive to rectify and I’d be worried how long and to what detriment the horse had been worked like that (the feet).

I so agree.