Help with failed vet test - flexion and hock

[BeckyD]

A horse I'm interested in has just failed the vet test, and I wondered what you all think about about the following - what it is and what could be the causes?

* 5-10% less flexion in front fetlocks than is normal, and
* left hock/pelvis is dropped in free trot

Apparently his hock was investigated three years ago for this problem, and scanned, but nothing was found to be wrong with it.

I want to do a bit of everything, including XC and SJ - would this horse definitely be a no-no?

Opinions on a postcard please (I shall speak to the vet).

 

[seza]

We bought a horse that failed a vetting on turning on a hard surface. We bought him anyway and we have had loads of fun with him however he is now lame and I must admit I would never buy another horse that failed the vetting.

 

[Tierra]

Hiya,

Firstly how old was the horse out of interest?

Now back to the issue... inadequate flexion in the fetlocks would scream of arthritic changes to me. How was the horse after flexion tests on the forelegs?

Its all well and good saying that the hock was investigated 3 years ago... but thats a long long time for problems to worsen and Im always very very warey of issues in the hocks anyway.

You could, if you really liked the horse, go down the route of having scans and xrays to determine exactly what is going on. But for me, it would have to be an extremely high calibre horse to go down that road.

For what you want, I'd leave well alone.

 

[BeckyD]

Thanks for the advice; you're right. I've had a good long think about it and I agreee hock problems aren't worth the hassle. He's only 7 and such a lovely boy!

Never mind. That's the third horse I've been interested in in a month that's failed the vet! Well, they say things come in threes.

Thanks again,
Becky

 

[BeckyD]

Oh dear, sorry to hear that. I'm not going to go for him I think it's just too much of a risk.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Tierra]

Yea

at 7 years old you dont want to be even considering joint problems

It doesnt bode well for when the horse gets to his teens.

I dont think its necessary to always rule out horses that fail vettings. For example, flexion tests are notoriously unfair on a slightly older horse.

At the end of the day, the cost of your livery is going to be the same whether the horse is a nice, fit and healthy one or an animal with problems :/

 

[Louby]

My boy failed the vet, I walked away but ended up buying him a few weeks later!
He too failed on a flexion test, he hobbled and I really shouldnt have bought him as my previouse mare had been bought with Ringbone. He was four at the time, just backed and was reasonably cheap and I hadnt found anything else for more than double the price. Fingers crossed he hasnt had a days lameness on that leg apart from fracturing it 3 months ago!
In hindsight I shouldnt have bought him, I didnt want to do xc or sj just RC and some dressage. If hes expensive I'd definately having him xrayed.
A friend a few years ago got the seller to pay for the xrays as it was in the sellers interests as well in order to sell the horse to know why her horse had failed the vet.