Getting x-rays done for a vetting

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whiteclover

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How many of you have had x-rays done with a vetting? Im getting a horse vetted but just wondered how many of you get x-rays done with the vetting. Also how much more is it to get them done?

Thanks
 
I have only bought one in the last 20 years that has warranted a vetting/x-rays.

I had a five stage vetting, had feet/knees/hocks x-rayed and also an internal scan because I was buying a mare that I might breed from - this cost me approx £250.
 
Yes. Extra cost depends on how many and what you are x raying and if being done by mobile x ray or hospital but extra cost 50-250 pounds ish ( I think ). Hospital will be higher quality. Discuss what you want with the vet but would be usual to get hocks from several angles, front feet from several angles, fetlocks, stifles, some people get neck and vertebrae and other things done too.
 
its a tough one as i bought a 4yo who had come over from holland just had 5 stage vetting by an english vet 2 months ish before, i had another 5 stage vetting done flew through that yet 2 years later she was diagnosed with hock arthritis. Breeders since tracked me down from Belgium and said she had it when she was a 3yo! It wasnt anyones fault as you would never have known! So to me it proves that for lameness a 5 stage vetting is worthless. I always said if i was going to spend the xtra i would get a two stage and xrays done now rather than a 5 stage, although i bought my last youngster just on a 2 stage! Its a very difficult decision as horses can have all sorts of hidden problems and you would never know for years, i guess if you have the extra cash, get the xrays done
 
depends on value of the horse for me. and also the job I want to do with it.

From a selling point of view anything we buy to "sell on" over 5k we have 5stage. However most stay with us 6-10mnths before being advertised so we can prove they were doing the job sold for example (have been stung in the past!!)

I have sold a 6k horse that wasnt vetted at all! and a 8k that had every bone and joint xrayed- I swear he was glowing green from radiation. 4hr vetting!!! not impressed

Depending on area and number of xrays looking at 200+ on top of 5 stage cost
 
I would also strongly suggest finding out whether the insurance you want will demand x-rays (eg for loss of use over a certain value) and if so what views. I didn't get x-rays with the vetting, but then had to get a costly amount of them a week later for the insurance. Felt a bit daft x-raying a horse I'd already parted with lots of money for rather than getting it done when there was still an escape route if we found anything! Plus insurance can be sticky about what views they want etc, so better to try to kill two birds with one stone, rather than having to organise a trip / visit twice. It's all about what value thresholds insurance companies have, and mine was over it. Even if they say 'front feet and hocks' in a blase fashion, ask how many individual views, because mine asked for a stupid quantity. You live and learn. Well, I did anyway!
 
I just bought a horse and considered this but after speaking to my vet decided against it as he said , well what do you want YO xray , which joints..??! To cover everything you taking around 40 odd x rays he said, he said it's not worth it for a horse I was paying £7k for. If the horse worth £20k then maybe he said. If it's a young horse he said it was unlikely you would see anthing but dies not mean down the line something won't develop.
 
It's a personal choice really, but you can be dictated to by the insurers depending on horses value.

I've sold one for $1800 that the lady had xrayed but have also sold one for 18000 that wasn't vetted at all. It was loaded onto their lorry from a show!
 
I didn't have our current competition horse X-rayed. He was expensive, but fairly priced for what he was and I had a 5 stage vetting, but the insurance didn't need X-rays. I didn't insure for loss of use because the premiums were ridiculous and we were going to sell on in 2 years time.

He's just been written off at AHT in Newmarket and won't be ridden again I shouldn't think. We've had him a year. He has sacroiliac issues. X-rays wouldn't have helped. Loss of use would. You live and learn, you pay your money and you make your choice.

I think the point I'm making is that my written off JRN eventer has clean X-rays. I wouldn't bother with X-rays at a vetting unless your insurance asks for them. And unless you can afford to lose what you're paying out for him and still support him in a long retirement as well as replacing him I'd strongly recommend the exhorbitant loss of use premiums.

I now have a field ornament but no field of my own, so I pay for the privilege. He's a super chap and very happy and healthy at 12 yrs old - so I'll probably be paying out livery for him and a companion (that I didn't want or need before) for a good few years yet. Its put an end to my daughter's competitive career and hopes of JRN and PC teams.

X-rays wouldn't have helped - his are as clean as a whistle.
 
I don't really see the point in having a vetting done if you don't have x-rays at the same time, otherwise imo the soundness part of the vetting is pretty worthless as only a snapshot in time.

However, I don't have x-rays or vettings at all anymore so maybe not the best person to give my opinion!
 
Thanks everyone. I think i'll give it a miss hes not that expensive. I'll just see what the vetting throws up.

Measles - dont want to say to much on here in case I jinx it. But hes a youngster.
 
Hi , i had a horse vetted 5 stage it was a 3 year old , people was saying dont have xrays its only 3 years old , but i just lost my boy to joint problems so really didnt want to buy something with problems i know later on it could happen but thats just life , so had xrays and it had a chipped bone in its fetlock :( sad but glad i had this done so didnt get the horse ! xx
 
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