Flexion test failure\?

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jessieblue

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Hi everyone. I saw a horse I really like and there was a bit of a muddle over it at the time. I think the owner thought she could get more money for him and withdrew him. I later saw him advertised for more money by a well known eventing training yard. I enquired and made an offer. The offer was less than the original asking price because I didnt intend to pay more! Anyway, offer was refused, so I sat tight. I enquired about him again a week or so later and was told he was sold subject to vet. I have now heard from the owner that he is still available and she will accept my offer. When I asked she said he failed vetting on front flexion test and the buyer pulled out.

Should I take a chasnce on getting him vetted myself, this really is a nice horse that seems ideal for me. Should I steer well clear or get my own vetting and maybe x rays/scans?

What would you guys do? She tells me he is sound and never had a day lame in 2 yrs she owned him. She bought him from the same eventing yard as she put him with to sell so his history is known.

I am disappointed in the yard as I asked them if he failed the vetting and they just didnt bother to reply. Although they are now not selling him as the lady has taken him back home. I would have thought they could have told me if he passed or failed as they knew i had registered interest in him.
 
If you are still interested I'd get your own vet out to do a vetting and take what advice they give you, don't go off a previous vetting as even if the seller is telling the truth and this would not make him unsuitable for what you wish to do with him, a vetting is still only valid for the day it was done on! I wouldn't think the yard could comment on the vetting without the express permission of the owner, even if she's told you her version of what has happened they are unlikely to tell you theirs unless she has given them the ok to do so.
 
Boulty said:
If you are still interested I'd get your own vet out to do a vetting and take what advice they give you, don't go off a previous vetting as even if the seller is telling the truth and this would not make him unsuitable for what you wish to do with him, a vetting is still only valid for the day it was done on! I wouldn't think the yard could comment on the vetting without the express permission of the owner, even if she's told you her version of what has happened they are unlikely to tell you theirs unless she has given them the ok to do so.
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This.
If you still want to go ahead,I would go and try him again,then get him vetted,your vet should do flexions early and if not happy can stop at that point.
Be prepared to walk away or xray etc,if you can be there it will help as you can discuss things with your vet at the time.
I have had horses fail ,then pass with no problems,also bought one that failed hind flexions,he passed two years later with the vet commenting that he was really good behind,so it is just on the day.
I would also make sure your vet takes blood,you dont have to test it.
 
I would go very carefully but not write the horse off. Our now 27yo pony who we bought when she was 12 failed a vet years and years previously. She failed on flexion tests on her hinds. I bought her in that knowledge without a vetting - I had known her for some time prior to this.
My daughter did all the pony club teams and she competed every other weekend for years, jumping, dressage and xc up to 3 foot. She was never unsound and to this day is not lame (a little stiff in her retirement but to be expected now). I believe flexion tests can be subjective but of course, your vet would be the best person to advise you.
 
My horse failed a vetting on the front flexion after slipping on the concrete before the test. I got my vet out to redo the test two days later and there was nothing wrong with her. Its worth getting a vetting and you could ask the vet to do a two stage first to see what he thinks before continuing with a full 5 stage if the vet thinks its worth it - that way if it is obviously lame during the flexion test you wont have to pay out for a full vetting.
 
............on the other hand my horse has passed two lots of flexion tests despite having bi-lateral bone spavin. So I don't think they are useful at all.
 
Orionstar said:
My horse failed a vetting on the front flexion after slipping on the concrete before the test. I got my vet out to redo the test two days later and there was nothing wrong with her. Its worth getting a vetting and you could ask the vet to do a two stage first to see what he thinks before continuing with a full 5 stage if the vet thinks its worth it - that way if it is obviously lame during the flexion test you wont have to pay out for a full vetting.
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The same thing happened to my horse, he was nearly 4, just had 2 front shoes on and was slipped more than once. He failed miserably and I walked away but decided to take a chance as he was a good price and the best of a bad bunch. That was 8 yrs ago and touch wood has never been lame and he has passed a flexion test since.
 
Flexion tests are funny things, but I would definitely get your vet to look at this horse before you commit to buy it. Also I would be thinking very seriously about reducing your offer (unless it was really cheeky in the first place) as horse has now failed a vetting and therefore there is a big question mark over it. Seller is probably now panicking, which is why all of a sudden she is prepared to accept your offer.

Negotiate any price reduction before getting the horse vetted by your own vet. You won't be in such a strong position afterwards especially if it passes.
 
Definitely worth getting it vetted again - if really worried get x-rays etc. Bear in mind that you can make ANY horse appear lame during a flexion test just by holding the leg slightly too high or too long.
 
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