Failing a 2 stage vetting

[WeeEmLooty]

We thought we had found a perfect second pony for my son. He test rode her and we saw her being jumped by the seller over high jumps and she looked fantastic. We paid a deposit and as she was fairly expensive we arranged a 2 stage vetting. After the flexion test the vet noticed lameness in the right hind leg and gave a score of 8/10 . Then during the trotting around in a circle noticed lameness on fore right and gave the score of 5/10. The pony was only 7 years old and vet recommended we renegotiate price or walk away. The seller refused to renegotiate so we walked away, got our deposit back etc. I am wondering if we did the right thing. After researching people say vetting is only a snap shot of that day and can pass a vetting another day. We are fairly new to horses and didn't have a vetting on the first pony we bought. The sort of pony we are looking for seems to be impossible to find at the moment or out of budget which has left we wondering. Any advice welcome. Thank you ?

 

[Red-1]

Failing after flexion test is one area that is very grey to me. If I really liked the pony, I would pay a different vet to simply go do a flexion to see what they think. Some vets really ram the leg up, some not so much.

With no certification, you would simply pay a visit fee and examine horse. You are not looking for diagnostics.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

As lameness was picked up in 2 different legs then you did the right thing imho in walking away.

 

[ycbm]

Failing after flexion test is one area that is very grey to me. If I really liked the pony, I would pay a different vet to simply go do a flexion to see what they think. Some vets really ram the leg up, some not so much.

With no certification, you would simply pay a visit fee and examine horse. You are not looking for diagnostics.

I like this idea but be aware that you might be in a very grey area for insurance, because you have a failed vetting. Even if the pony passes the second set of flexions, I doubt the insurer will cover for lameness for at least a year if you disclose it, which you ought to.


I wouldn't personally buy a horse which failed on a hind flexion and also in front on a hard circle. 5/10 is a high score to ignore for lameness on a circle.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I might not have worried too much about the hind lameness if I was present for the vetting and thought the vet had been over-enthusiastic about the flexion but the front leg lameness, which sounds quite severe would have put me off. If your son wants to jump, you need a sound pony. You have probably avoided a large vet bill down the line. There will be another more suitable pony for your son.

 

[ester]

5/10 is pretty lame.

 

[WeeEmLooty]

Thank you for your reply. The flexion tests do seem to be quite controversial. As the vet found lameness in 2 legs with moderate and severe lameness it has worried us. if it was a small amount in 1 leg it would have been different Perhaps a revetting is the only answer.

 

[WeeEmLooty]

5/10 is pretty lame.

Thank you The vet did seem quite surprised by the front leg lameness. It would also mean we couldn't insure the pony for those legs.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I personally would walk away, the 5/10 lameness is the one that would worry me. Horses break all the time as they are a strange combination of strength and fragility. So don't buy trouble. You at least want to start with a sound horse that has passed a vetting that you can insure.

 

[wren123]

You've had some excellent advice which I agree with.
Just think about the stress on the front legs when the pony is doing a lot of jumping, i wouldn't consider the pony with that lameness in the front legs.

 

[Rowreach]

With the forelimb lameness I wouldn't have bought at any price.

I'd recommend a full 5 stage vetting for the next one you're interested in - especially if you're paying a lot of money, as you need to be as sure as possible that the pony is sound and healthy, and your insurers will require it.

 

[WeeEmLooty]

Thank you for all your replies. It has confirmed massively that we have made the right decision. We will keep searching and will always have a vetting.

 

[SO1]

Absolutely you did the right especially for expensive pony who you want to jump and as it is only 7.

When I bought my pony as a 5 year old he passed a flexion no problem, he even passed a flexion after he fell over on the road and hurt his hock, vet said he was very surprised when he came to check him afterwards. He probably would not pass one now as he is 19 but a young pony that you want for competitive riding you need to be as sound as possible, very different to perhaps if you are wanting a light hack.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think you did the right thing lame on 2 legs and that lame is just too much to even consider.

 

[splashgirl45]

i would only do a 2 stage vetting for an older cheaper horse mainly to check heart and eyes as i can check for lameness myself, but if you are paying a lot of money for a pony who is going to jump i would suggest a 5 stage vetting so you can be as sure as possible it will stay sound. as you say it only means its a test which covers that day but i would get bloods taken as well so you can check if its had bute etc

 

[ihatework]

8/10 and 5/10 for sure you did the right thing.

2/10 on flexion if sound in non-flexion is about where I draw the line

 

[Carrottom]

I agree with others that you were right to walk away. After all, this why you had the pony vetted.