Flexion tests

metalmare

metalmare

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Hi

Some people may remember a recent post I made concerning a horse who failed a vetting on flexion tests.

I am going to look at another horse on Sunday. Assuming I like the horse and all goes well then I plan to have a 2 stage vetting performed again. But I noticed there seems to be some controversy around the accuracy of flexion tests, so I wanted advice on whether to have them done.

Also, apart from trot ups, feeling the legs, etc, what other checks can you suggest to see whether I should continue to a vetting or walk away?

Once bitten, twice shy!

Thanks.
Thank you.
 
Wave your hands near the eyes (in a non-threatening way) to check that the horse can see on both sides.
I'm afraid I have no faith in flexion tests, personally. Are you aware that they were originally used to test whether the horse was on pain-killers? If the horse *wasn't* lame after the test, there were doubts about the sellers' honesty.
 
Wow, no I didn't know that! How interesting... It's incredible that they're standard procedure considering all the controversy.
 
Our old pony failed a flexion test, he was still passed as fit for what we wanted and so he proved to be. He was a real alrounder jumping hacking, PC, RC, shows etc The vet at the time suggested that I try having my leg pulled up at that angle and trotting away afterwards! Good point. :)
 
Well, I don't want to get back to thinking should I have walked away, because I did and I've moved on now... For right or for wrong. The vet was certainly not going to recommend a purchase, not even as a hack.

I just don't know whether to bother having the flexions done this time. It sounds like even your vet thought flexions are unreliable then?
 
My pony failed a flexion test on his near fore 2 years ago, this time last year he became permanently lame on that leg with arthritis. I think they are worth doing and do show up weak joints. I'm happy to be proved wrong but in my case it showed a problem.
 
Looking at some of the vet websites near where the pony is based it looks like I might not have much choice - they seem to do them as standard with the 2 stage. When I had this other horse vetted recently the flexions were an optional extra.
 
Hi..I'm not suggesting you don't listen to the vet, far from it. I have bought 2 horses since that pony and if either of them had failed a flexion test I would certainly have walked away, not least as i wouldn't get insurance for them without a positive vetting. With pony I had him on a weeks trial, my own vet did the vetting, we were able to discuss it and he was, on balance happy to pass him as fit for what I wanted. He was sensible and said there was a 25% chance of something going wrong on that leg and he felt that was reasonable odds for the money and age. My subsequent horses have been much more valuable and younger, and no way would I have gone ahead if there was anything on flexion. You can't usually choose whether or not to have them they are part of any standard
vetting that I've had over the past 7 years. Good luck I'm sure you will find something which passes..
 
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