Gutted

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pookie

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The mare I'd fallen in love with and was going to buy failed her vetting today. Ridiculous to be attached to a horse you don't even own and have only ridden once but still...just felt like venting. The worst bit is knowing there won't be many like her around - reasonably local, really good price, right height, right type :(
 
That is tough. Been there. The positive though is that you won't be one, three, six months down the road with a wonky donkey. Cold comfort I know but we do get them vetted for a reason. If you love her that much you could always get her re-vetted in a month or so. What did she fail on?
 
She failed on lameness - she'd been masking it really well. Vet suspects arthritis. The owner is going to think what to do with her and might offer her to me as a FTGH but it came as a bit of a shock to all of us.
 
That sucks I'm sorry to hear it :-( What is FTGH? I am worried about this happening when I get a horse vetted. I am already falling for one 3 hours away from some emails with the owner, haven't even met him yet and had a dream about him last night, silly brain! We do get sentimental eh!
 
FTGH is free to good home :)

I know it's supposed to be a buyers market but I must be living in a horse drought area...almost none around that fit the bill :(
 
What is a bit of arthritis nowadays?? Christ I have arthritis and I am in my 30's! I still run, play badminton and ride as often as I can fit it in to my hectic lifestyle. M had it but does dressage an xc at 12yo... my new one is 17 and has arthritis and I'm just starting her "dressage career".

Unless it is proper erosive disease and you want to compete at olympic level, I think far too many horses are written off prematurely and wasted.

How can you write a horse off based on "suspected" lameness?? Where is the proof? Is the vet sure???? Where is this suspected lameness?? Hock? Stifle? Pastern? Hoof? Back? Shoulder? Pelvis? Teeth?
 
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Rascal - rescue is certainly something I've considered. May have to look into it further

Tallyho - I know exactly what you mean. I was a bit gobsmacked to hear him say "it's a fail...I recommend you don't buy." I've been contacted tonight by the owner to say another of theirs has come in 'lame' tonight with what looks like a kick injury and they were all turned out in the same field last night. So they're getting their vet out to look at both and will keep me posted. I didn't even see the vetting as the vet turned up 45 mins before he was due and had finished by the time I got there. One thing I will say is I hacked her out for 2 hours last Sunday, over reasonably rough terrain, and noticed no lameness or discomfort when we got back to the yard.
 
Well I personally wouldn't buy a horse with arthritis because it is a regressive disease so it is only going to get worse, not better. My friend owns an arthritic horse, I have been there every step of the way, from when it was first diagnosed to now and let me tell you it's been terrible. It has just gotten worse and worse, despite excellent vet care! So far she has run up a bill of 7k!
Even if the mare is free I would still be very careful because it can end up costing you a lot to maintain her, so just bear in mind that you may be paying a lot more than she would have intially cost you in vets bills. And don't forget that you will not be able to insure her for the arthritis because it is a prior condition and therefore it will be up to YOU to foot the bill.
I would personally leave the horse and sit tight, trust me when I say the right one will come along. After all everything happens for a reason!
 
tallyho! said:
What is a bit of arthritis nowadays?? Christ I have arthritis and I am in my 30's! I still run, play badminton and ride as often as I can fit it in to my hectic lifestyle. M had it but does dressage an xc at 12yo... my new one is 17 and has arthritis and I'm just starting her "dressage career".

Unless it is proper erosive disease and you want to compete at olympic level, I think far too many horses are written off prematurely and wasted.

How can you write a horse off based on "suspected" lameness?? Where is the proof? Is the vet sure???? Where is this suspected lameness?? Hock? Stifle? Pastern? Hoof? Back? Shoulder? Pelvis? Teeth?
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I second this people and horses get arthritis at any age. Good joint supplement can give back the horse a good active life.
 
How old is she? I'd probably avoid if it was a younger horse but for the activities you want to do I don't think I would be put off if the horse was slightly older :)
 
3Beasties said:
How old is she? I'd probably avoid if it was a younger horse but for the activities you want to do I don't think I would be put off if the horse was slightly older :)
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She's just turned 10. Previously used as a broodmare and only recently brought into work. Very green for her age but a wonderful temperament.
 
Arthritis is progressive....it will get worse!:(

I have a 22 year old that I have owned since he was 4.......he now has arthritis in both hocks; he evented to a high level and has hunted hard for the last seven years.

It started off with an expensive supplement, it then progressed to specialist shoeing every five weeks (for which I pay £120+VAT and do a 3 hour round trip in the lorry), then there is the odd bute after hunting and now we have steroid/HA injections every six months at £600 a touch.

This horse costs me over £3000-00 per annum more than a sound horse to run......at the moment he is pretty much pain free and WANTS to run and jump but is on borrowed time. However, I expect that will probably change fairly shortly....I expect him to cub this coming season and do the odd days hunting but not much more....we are on the downward spiral.....he needs to be kept moving but at not such a great intensity. Whether he will settle to a quieter life, we shall have to wait and see.

Basically, I am happy to spend the money on this guy because of our history together.....would I go and buy a horse with arthritis knowing what I know as to how it progresses??? No way Jose!

There are plenty of others out there. START at least with a blank canvas health wise....they throw enough at us without starting with compromises.
 
Just read your subsequent posts....a ten year old that has done NOTHING in its life other than be a broodmare???? That is screaming at me....do NOT touch with the proverbial barge pole! I'm sorry, but if you had said that the horse had evented/hunted or whatever and there was a reason for the arthritis and you went into it with your eyes open....maybe....but this horse has done NOTHING. It screams to me conformational issues......please do not fall in love with it and do not go there. It will end in tears. :mad:
 
At the age of 10 I think I would walk away, especially as she's only been a broodmare, my concern would be that she would deteriorate more when bought up to full fitness.
 
my event mare is 18 now , she was diagnosed with arthritis aged ten , we already had her on a joint supplement , she managed another 6 months before she developed huge bony lumps on both knees , she cannot bend her knees more than half way and has been retired fully for 4 years , shes paddock sound on no medication but vet advised not to ride her in case she stumbled in front and couldndnt flex her knees enough to save her self falling , we happily keep her as a big ginger pet, i wouldnt by a horse with a failed vetting i,m afraid, but if it was free and i could get insurance , maybe
 
maggiehorse said:
my event mare is 18 now , she was diagnosed with arthritis aged ten , we already had her on a joint supplement , she managed another 6 months before she developed huge bony lumps on both knees , she cannot bend her knees more than half way and has been retired fully for 4 years , shes paddock sound on no medication but vet advised not to ride her in case she stumbled in front and couldndnt flex her knees enough to save her self falling , we happily keep her as a big ginger pet, i wouldnt by a horse with a failed vetting i,m afraid, but if it was free and i could get insurance , maybe
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I wouldnt buy if she has been JUST used as a broodmare etc. ie no reason for it or was that why she became a broodmare.Wonder what her history is prior to that. Mine was driven we suspect he came from gypsys and had been driven hard as it was his back end that went first. He was 13 though when I got him and he is now 23 but hasnt been ridden for about 4 years. Is now paddock ornament on bute daily. Stumbles etc. I wouldnt buy but if you have the room and she is FTGH fine(that is quite a turnaround from being for sale isnt it.....they must have known to suddenly FTGH). If you are happy for potential companion etc. You wont get her insured for this problem.
 
Sorry to hear OP. but like others on here I'd stay away. It's hard not to fall for them when you see I nice one but I do believe there are lots out there. She isn't going to be the only horse ever suitable for you, you will find others I'm sure! I have even if it's taken me a while and lots of petrol money!
 
You have my complete sympathy, I would feel the same. Thing is the vetting would have taken into account the fact that you only want to do light work, so I don't see that it would be sensible to start thinking 'well its okay, I won't clock up enough milage very quickly on her for work to make her worse.' you also do not know how she was the morning after your hack, she may have been stiff.

The vet might be wrong, she might just have done something that day which is inconsequential, but I really would steer clear.
 
Thanks everyone. You're all absolutely right, so thank you for providing objective advice...I'm far too emotionally invested in this horse but you've all really helped :) I won't be taking her on, heartbreaking as that is.
 
hi ther ,just so you know your not on your own a mare i really like failed her vetting today im gutted too so i know how you feel x
 
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