Full Blood Profile on Vetting

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Brendaed89

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anybody does the full profile when doing a vetting. I'm looking to buy a horse so have asked for a 5 stage and the profile but the vet seems to think it's a little much. Spending 1.5k so hardly a lot on a 5 year old 14hh gelding. He's going to be mainly a family pony with the occasional local show.

Already feel like I'm only doing half a job by not testing for doping but will keep him at the same yard and I'm buying him of the yard manager so if something was off I'm sure I wouldn't be able to keep him there. What are your thoughts?
 
Take the vets advice, he probably thinks a 2 stage, no blood sample is ok.
The five stage is more difficult if unbroken, but X rays can be done eg on expensive racehorses.
A test for drugs on bloods is not the same as a full blood profile which is to identify abnormalities.
The five stage includes taking a sample but it is stored in case of any later suggestion that horse has been doped for the vetting.
Do you really think the YO is dishonest enough to sell you a doped horse?, its not only unlikely, but if you really think so, best to move yards, and buy something else.
It is possible you can access vet records for pony, ask your vet.
Buying any animal has risks, but this is low risk.
 
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I would do five stage plus the blood sample for storage .
Can't think why you want a full profile it would be very costly .
 
The blood is usually taken at the vetting but not tested, it is stored for 6 months which gives you the option of testing if something shows after purchase that gives reason to suspect it had been on pain relief or sedative etc.
As the YM knows the pony is staying at the yard it is highly unlikely it will be given anything prior to vetting, they would have to be stupid to risk it just knowing the blood is being taken, a 5 year old pony is not likely to have been given anything, unless you have reason to be suspicious I would just vet as normal and store the blood, if you are suspicious then I would not even be buying it.

I have bought and sold many over the years and have only known of the blood to be tested once when the horse went lame about 6 weeks after I sold it, they proved to be clear as he was not on anything but it exonerated me as the seller which was useful.
 
I understand that bloods for doping and a full profile is different but would you consider a file profile to check for infections, check heart, liver etc? I'm not overly concerned about the cost and as he hadn't had his jabs I feel it'll be good from that perspective but would be great to hear if anyone has done it/hasn't done it and the reasons behind this.

Oh and he is backed, just a little green
 
I think getting a blood profile done at vetting would be very unusual, and I'd think it very unlikely to show anything in a 4 yo.
 
I am assuming this is your first pony: keep your money in your pocket, spend it on lessons not on all these tests.

Once acquired you will find that he also needs lots of goodies: pink rugs, blingy browbands, etc. Then there are show entries, clothing for rider, safety equipment, a trailer, a car to pull trailer, another pony to keep him company.

When he is outgrown you need a proper horse for proper dressage, of course if you need to compete seriously you will need to get a serious horse, and it needs a lorry with living........

............ are you prepared to buy this nice family pony now you know what is in front of you?
 
When we had my new competition mare vetted a couple months ago it was a 5 stage vetting and blood was taken. The vet keeps it on file for 6 months incase something comes up in the meantime.seems like good practice but I don't think I would for a 1.5k pony.
 
It's not my first horse but the others I had on loan first so never worried about vetting.

Also, I'm not a little girl which needs a horse kitted out in pink rugs and glittery brow bands but a short, successful professional who likes to go hacking after a long day in the office to clear my head. I'm all grown and won't be interested in a "proper horse" but need a safe and sensible horse I can have fun with.

And yes, before I get any more condescending comments I've grown up around horses, broken and brought on more youngsters than I can count but just never done bloods for vetting so wanted an opinion on that. But thank you Bonkers2 for explaining what is in front of me
 
If you want to get a blood test done as a general health check, why not? I have a blood screen done on my two every year as part of their yearly MOT, and it alerts me to anything which could be in the offing - especially as our grazing is deficient in certain key elements.

It's not cheap though, and you would be charged separately to any blood drawn for a doping test.
 
If it makes you feel more comfortable to have a profile done then it is your money so there is no reason not to do it, it is a bit OTT but it is not a crime to be cautious, in fact if more people thought more carefully before purchasing there would be less "missold horses" and dodgy dealers around.

The comments about pink and bling were totally uncalled for, I hope the pony is fit and well so you can get on and enjoy it, if you were buying from me I would have no problem with the blood test, it should only take 24 hours to get the results, most vets can do this in house, I would save a few £ss by getting his first flu jab done on the day of vetting, slight risk if something shows on the bloods but I would expect a 5 year old that appears fit and healthy to be fine.
 
Thank you everyone for your help. Have had a conversation with my vet and we shall proceed without the full blood profile as chances of anything being picked up is ever so slim on a young horse and being a fun, family pony instead of an event er, there won't be any concers regarding heart etc that shouldn't come to light as part of the stage 5.

As to you Bonker2, thank you for your half-hearted apology. I imagine your the kind of person who seeks validation by having a horse as a status symbol and sports object rather than being able to accept a beautiful creature into your family just because it brings you joy. I for one am lucky enough that I have other ways of validating success in my life, even with an "improper" family pony.
 
Brendaed89 said:
Thank you everyone for your help. Have had a conversation with my vet and we shall proceed without the full blood profile as chances of anything being picked up is ever so slim on a young horse and being a fun, family pony instead of an event er, there won't be any concers regarding heart etc that shouldn't come to light as part of the stage 5.

As to you Bonker2, thank you for your half-hearted apology. I imagine your the kind of person who seeks validation by having a horse as a status symbol and sports object rather than being able to accept a beautiful creature into your family just because it brings you joy. I for one am lucky enough that I have other ways of validating success in my life, even with an "improper" family pony.
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You could not be further from the truth. I see now why you are so upset. Really I thought it was obviously not meant to be taken seriously, but that's life :)
 
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I actually would have bloods done now, although I never would have contemplated it before. I now know my pony has liver problems and a muscle myopathy condition despite having no external symptoms at all. It wouldn't stop me from buying him, but I'd know how to manage him from the start in terms of diet and exercise.
 
Brendaed89 said:
Thank you everyone for your help. Have had a conversation with my vet and we shall proceed without the full blood profile as chances of anything being picked up is ever so slim on a young horse and being a fun, family pony instead of an event er, there won't be any concers regarding heart etc that shouldn't come to light as part of the stage 5.

As to you Bonker2, thank you for your half-hearted apology. I imagine your the kind of person who seeks validation by having a horse as a status symbol and sports object rather than being able to accept a beautiful creature into your family just because it brings you joy. I for one am lucky enough that I have other ways of validating success in my life, even with an "improper" family pony.
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Finding anything untoward on a blood profile is absolutely nothing to do with the age of the pony but rather to do with the health of the animal. If an animal appears under the weather or a bit flat then it's age would not be taken into account when deciding whether or not to take bloods. FWIW whenever i have an animal to what i fell to be good health condition etc I always pull bloods so that we have a clear baseline. They are a very useful tool when running pre race/competition bloods etc. In the case of a vetting no I woudn't get them done at the pricepoint you are talking about especially considering you are buying from the yard manager where you intend to keep the horse...unless they are a complete idiot trying to guarantee their business will fail then chances are pony is not going to be doped for the vetting.

Also no need to be so defensive towards Bonker2...they posted a clearly tongue in cheek poost about what buying a pony leads to. Given that you clearly stated you were buying a family pony in your op it was easy to assume that you were buying a first pony for kids. No need for you to be so rude
 
I honestly see no reason why you shouldn't have the blood profile done - it's your money, and horses are stupendously good at going wrong! Might as well keep ahead of things, imo. Worst case scenario it may show something unexpected, but I hope this isn't the case :)
 
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