Had vetting - Failed

Hutchie

Hutchie

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Hello all,

Well had the vetting done, the horse failed at stage 2, due to lameness (right hind) and stifle effusion, didn't go ahead with 5 stage.
Expect to receive the vet report in a couple of days.
Also would like to mention he has wedged shoes on his back feet.
Vet advise not to buy him.

He is a 5 year old.

Any comments/opinions?
 
Had you asked the owners why he had wedges on hind feet before? It's never a good sign.

Definitly one to walk away from I'm afraid.
 
Thanks for your replies, I was just interested in anyone's experiences with a similar problem as some people have said if it's just lack of muscle in the area which isnt that bad but if its joint then not good..

I'm not ignoring the vet's advice, just interested in other people views/experiences etc.
 
Hutchie said:
Thanks for your replies, I was just interested in anyone's experiences with a similar problem as some people have said if it's just lack of muscle in the area which isnt that bad but if its joint then not good..

I'm not ignoring the vet's advice, just interested in other people views/experiences etc.
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Well, personally I wouldn't have got as far as vetting the horse with wedge shoes on - back or front.

Clearly we have vettings done for a reason.
 
If the vet has advised not to proceed then i would follow the vet's advice. Issues like that at 5 yo are not ones you want to take on (in my opinion anyway). I can't tell you how many horses we've had vetted over the years who have failed and who I walked away from and was gutted about. However, we have had a fair few horses who we've had vetted and have passed with flying colours and went ahead and bought them. Although it is disheartening if you like the horse I definitely would listen to the vet. It's one thing a horse 'failing' on a flexion test but there not actually being anything wrong but with it already showing swellings then it suggests there's pressure occurring somewhere which is not going to be a good thing.
 
Walk away, he will cost you a lot of money, always have lameness issues & end up a field ornament at a young age. All of which will be more heartbreaking than walking away at this stage.
 
I would take the vet's advice. If he already has wedge shoes on then the seller knows he has a problem (maybe why he is up for sale?).

Shame.
 
I have had two horses fail the vet and it is devastating. I considered proceeding despite the vets advice on both occasions, but neither time was there obviously anything wrong. I think this is definitely one to walk away from.
 
RebelRebel said:
I would take the vet's advice. If he already has wedge shoes on then the seller knows he has a problem (maybe why he is up for sale?).

Shame.
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I agree with rebelR but it is a shame , another one that'll end up on the scrap heap! Lets hope the seller decides to keep the horse or tries to retire it to a sanctuary and not try to make money out of it.
 
OP I know exactly what you are feeling at the moment, almost 3 years ago I posted the same thing on here and got exactly the same advice.

I did let heart rule head and bought my big train wreck - for a considerably reduced price. I am lucky in that I rent my own yard so she does not cost me livery.

However I have incurred a lot of vets fees, when she came home x-rays etc to find out what was wrong with her. I work in financial services and so had to declare the failed vetting which meant I struggled to get insurance and what I got had hefty exclusions.

One thing people did say to me is that it costs as much to keep a lame horse as it does a sound one - livery, tack, vet, feed, farrier etc.

I love my mare as she is a lovely person which is why I caved in and bought her as she was booked into Cambridge horse sales after I initially walked away.

Luckily I am not a serious horseperson more of a happy hacker who likes pleasure rides to attend the occasional show. Unfortunately a well-bred project ISH intended to event possibly wasn't the best choice of happy hacker. She is sound enough to be a light hack (and is finally coming round to being a happy hacker) but in taking her on I commited to a home for life as she is not sellable!
 
If it was lameness that corrected itself fairly quickly after a flexion test I woul say no problem, but the fact that he has wedges on the back feet would indicate that he was lame without the vetting. Do not touch.
 
Yes i agree, to have wedged feet at that age is not a good sign and is not something i would be prepared to take on. He obviously has them wedged for a reason and how ever honest the owner may be you may never know the extend of any priors to yoru purchase. Safer pocket wise to walk away in my opinion, but hard.
 
One of my vet failures (stifle OCD) went on to advanced event with the owner who then didn't sell him after failed vetting. This is the rarity though. Agree with everyone else you are buying trouble and need to walk away.
 
It is such a pity when a horse you've set your heart on fails the vetting but as hard as it is, try and bear in mind that finding the right horse can be a bit of a lottery at the best of times and there is enough heartache without buying a known problem - after all, that is why you had him vetted :)

Hope if you continue your search, you have better luck next time!
 
Thanks everyone for your replies, I'm not going ahead with purchase, I wanted your opinions on the situation, I had some people saying it could be just this or that... So wanted to get some more advice, he was a lovely horse and we did notice he had wedged shoes and the owner said it was due to him having fluid on the stifle which had now gone down, he didn't appear lame on the viewing, so took a chance with the vetting and unfortunately he failed, just part of the learning curve :)

For those who had questions...

He was a reg Welsh Sec D. I wanted a general allrounder to do local shows, xc, beach rides, hacking etc.
 
SilkySullivan said:
It is such a pity when a horse you've set your heart on fails the vetting but as hard as it is, try and bear in mind that finding the right horse can be a bit of a lottery at the best of times and there is enough heartache without buying a known problem - after all, that is why you had him vetted :)

Hope if you continue your search, you have better luck next time!
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totally agree, thanks Silky :)
 
Hutchie said:
he was a lovely horse and we did notice he had wedged shoes and the owner said it was due to him having fluid on the stifle which had now gone down, he didn't appear lame on the viewing, so took a chance with the vetting and unfortunately he failed, just part of the learning curve :)
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Stifle effusion, lameness, wedged shoes - my money would be on OCD so you've had a lucky escape (surgery to correct the problem around £2,000!)
 
maybe its a blessing!!

i agreed to buy a 10 year old TB who was lovely although had had a mark on her hock however vets said she was fine to do local sj, showing, xc ect

so i had her vetted and the owner had taken her out jumping 2 days before the vetting

had paid for 5 stage but stopped at 2 as lame,

vet said every time i jumped her she would need 3 weeks off - no good to me as my main event is jumping i hate dressage etc!

then after the disappointing news on the monday evening the day after

i was flicking through some adverts for 15.2hh instead of 16.2hh and out popped Java's advert

i viewed and loved him instantly this was on the wednesday and i went again on saturday and spent a whole half a day hacking him out and spending time with him

then had him vetted on monday and vet said it was the nicest 12 year old he had ever seen :D

he said he had no lumps or bumps whatsoever and looks more like a 6 year old!

he has a baby face hehe most people who dont know his age think he is young!

and picked him up on friday!

maybe its a blessing as i would never have come across java if other hadnt failed and i actually prefer him,

plus he was in my county too, the other was 2 hours away
 
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