Free Project Horse - WWYD?

OFG said:
Potential free project horse - 16.3hh 7yo Holsteiner.

Has had op for KS. Needs bringing back into work but is unpredictable under saddle and known to buck.

Now, would the bucking have been down to KS?

Those with experience of KS, how likely for this horse to make full recovery and able to do dressage / low level SJ / RC activities?

WWYD given this opportunity?
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I would politely say "No, thank you!".

Sorry to be a wet blanket but in my 60 years in the saddle I have seen very many of these these "free project horses" but only seen a handful come right and they were with very experienced handlers with plenty of time to give to the project and plenty of money to waste.

As far as the easy bit - your question on KS and future work - a word or three with a good equine vet might help you decide.

Remeber that "free" may sound a good option if you can't afford to buy a horse but it often means very expensive in the long run
 
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sorry, not been able to get back to the computer. Thanks for the info and advice.

Hereshoping - wow, thanks for sharing your personal experience. It has certainly given me a lot to think about.

I don't have any direct knowledge about him at all and before I called up about him wanted to get a bit more advice on what I perhaps should be asking. He's advertised on Preloved http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106994547/project-horse-free-to-right-home.html

Still in a quandry over whether to take it further so perhaps that is an answer in itself.
 
My horse was operated on a year ago to remove five spinal processes. He is very well in himself and sound and happy. However, he still has a panic reaction to the saddle or roller. Not every time (about one in five). I was rehabbing him and he was doing very well. I was back riding him, when this problem reoccurred. I'm afraid it is the unpredictability of him that made me give up. I did not want to ride a horse that for a lot of the time you could put your granny on, but who would explode in panic, completely out of nowhere. I decided he was obviously traumatised by the saddle. The fact that it is intermittent points to a real physical pain rather than it being mental, and I am just mentally exhausted trying to fix him. So personally, no, I would not touch that horse.
 
After reading the ad I'm even more convinced that you should walk away, when in doubt don't as the saying goes.

I think if you do decide to take him on then you shold be sure to have yourself covered for personal accident, be prepared to spend lots of money on him and to euthanise or retire if he doesn't come right (personally I don't believe he will.) It's a huge chance to take, but you've got to be prepared for it not working out.

I know someone who was offered two perfectly healthy unbroken ponies for nothing, plus money to take them; they are now regretting it as just the outlay in feed, wormers etc has cost far more than the money they were given to take them.
 
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