Heart murmer

[Super_Kat]

Are horses with these really limited with what they can do?
(I.e. mainly fast work)

Thanks

 

[Bossanova]

Depends what grade it is.

Most horses will never suffer any ill effects and will lead normal competition lives.

 

[Tierra]

Boss is completly correct. There are different grades and there is also the issue as to whether they were born with them or whether they develop throughout life.

Mine has a heart murmour he was born with and has passed 3 5 star vettings, one which was with the purpose of affiliated eventing.

Its there but its never worried me at all and its never gotten worse (hes 16 now)

 

[Irishcobs]

What about a 3 out of 6? Is that bad? One of our boys is off to hospital tomorrow for tests as the temp. vet said he has a 3 out of 6 heart mumur.

 

[Super_Kat]

What about a grade 4 murmer?
Horse in question played quite a hard fast sport at a high level (so had to be very very fit) and never had a problem apparantly.

 

[merlinsquest]

Our first pony had a five/six and we were told not to ride him as he could collapse onto the rider

So we retired him aged 5!!!

 

[Tierra]

4, thought, was quite severe. I was told 5 was at the point of it being none recommended to ride so i would have *assumed* 4 would be where they dont recommend hard or fast work.

But im no vet

 

[mrdarcy]

My lad Gedenski has a grade 3/4 murmur, which he's had since birth. It didn't stop him winning and placing in several 100 mile in a day endurance races, completing over 6000kms in his career and is still going strong today - he's 20 in April. So his murmur has certainly never limited or curtailed his competing - you don't get anything tougher on the horse than a 100 mile race ride

I should add though that I believe it depends on what sort of murmur it is - i.e. which heart valve it involves