hernias - would you buy a horse with one?

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silverstar

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Ive seen a horse for sale that seems nice (altho not rung up yet) and the ad mentions a hernia. Would you buy a horse with a hernia?
 
I'm assuming that the horse in question is a foal at weaning and not an older/adult horse.

A foal at say 6 months with an umbilical hernia is going to need a surgical repair under GA so ring your vets and get a price for the op.

Be aware that the foal will need to stay on box rest for approx 6 weeks and then allowed out in a small paddock.

All that said, I would buy a foal with a hernia but would not consider it a future breeding prospect as these are often hereditary.

If it is an adult horse I'd have to say no, I wouldn't buy it.
 
penfold said:
Ive seen a horse for sale that seems nice (altho not rung up yet) and the ad mentions a hernia. Would you buy a horse with a hernia?
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I would assume you mean umbilical hernia also. Be aware as the previous post of the repair and complication thereof that are involved. Bear in mind the costs of the repairs etc as there will be exclusions placed on the policy regarding the hernia.

Find out for sure where it is and most importantly how big it is.

Bizarrely I vetted a horse not long ago with an acquired hernia on the side of the abdomen. I couldn't see any reason to fail it at the vetting, but it was passed with the obvious caveats.

We did a surgery to repair the hernia and all is well.

I would however be cautious, especially in an adult.

Imogen
 
Thanks ImogenBurrows. I think its an umbilical hernia. I suppose there are a lot of horses in my price bracket (or at least there will be come spring) without such problems but there's always a compromise.
 
penfold said:
Thanks ImogenBurrows. I think its an umbilical hernia. I suppose there are a lot of horses in my price bracket (or at least there will be come spring) without such problems but there's always a compromise.
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Pros and cons TBH. IMO it's a risk, but if small in size and relatively small risk problem and usually when sorted of no consequence.

it's certainly not wrong to walk away, but I wouldn't baulk at it if it were presented for a vetting to me.

You do need to understand the risks though so best to discuss in full with your own vets once seen TBH. If you do go, take photos and try to assess how big it is by seeing how many of you fingers can fit into the defect in the muscle wall. By doing this your vets should be able to give you a much better idea of treatment options, costs and or risks.

Good luck
Imogen
 
No, wouldnt touch it myself, plenty horses drop in price now winters here, and their are soo many bargins around, it may well be perfectly ok, but you'd need a vets advice, and your better putting your money into a perfectly healthy horse than one you have to seek advice for before you buy it, good luck with your search, plenty fish in the sea at moment - jackei
 
jackieb71uk said:
No, wouldnt touch it myself, plenty horses drop in price now winters here, and their are soo many bargins around, it may well be perfectly ok, but you'd need a vets advice, and your better putting your money into a perfectly healthy horse than one you have to seek advice for before you buy it, good luck with your search, plenty fish in the sea at moment - jackei
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Do I take from this you would not recommend people you know to get vettings as a matter of course then?
 
I-B,

having read the post which you have quoted, as you have, I would have taken it to mean, "What is the point in seeking a veterinary opinion regarding a KNOWN problem, when there are already a surfeit of horses for sale without obvious question marks hanging over them". A point with which I agree.

I wouldn't have taken the post to mean, "Don't bother with a vetting for any horse", as you appear to have done. The vendor probably thinks that the horse isn't worth the repair costs, and if that's the case, then that should be enough for any intending buyer. Assuming that I'm right then I'm sorry, but I'm with jackieb, on this one.

Alec.
 
Can I ask a supplementary question please?

I have a 2yo with a small (less than 1 finger) umbilical hernia. My vet and previous vet both agree that medically it is not going to cause a problem and is not worth getting fixed surgically. My current vet has suggested possibly putting a band (can't remember the exact word she used) round it to scar the tissue to tidy it up. I just wondered if anyone had experience of this. Is it effective and would you recommend it or if not what would you suggest?

Sorry to be cheeky and hijack!
 
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