Historical tendon injury now in full work

[Charliechops]

Advice please. I am thinking ofbuying a pony that historically had a tendon injury with the owner before the current one , that healed completely so. that she is in full work. The current owner has had no recurrence. I just want her for hacking not hunting or PC etc, which she was doing. How concerned should I be?

 

[Goldenstar]

It depends on many variables .
You need to consult a vet .

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

As said there are many different things you need to ask. How extensive was the injury? Where was the injury? What work the pony has been doing since? Etc.

A simple, small rupture of the front legs SDFT wouldn't worry me in the slightest as I have known many horses to race on after a year off with no problems what so ever. A DDFT or a Hind limb I wouldnt knowingly touch with a 10ft barge pole.

 

[AUB]

If it can pass vetting and has been in work for years since the injury I wouldn’t be bothered.

 

[Red-1]

One of my horses as a teenager had done both front tendons. She had a year off, we bought her, she then had a year teaching friend to ride (so low impact) then I took her on as my main ride and did proper thrusting hunting over massive hedges, open team chase, newcomer show jumping... and the tendons never did bother her.

I was told by a vet that the tendon takes 2 years to re-strengthen, but most people put back to work after 1 year and then they are prone to going again.

She did have an issue with her fetlock later on, whether that was connected or not I don't know, as she had also just had a foal. Before any one gets irate, the tendon injuries were caused by a single incident, the horse itself was hard as nails.

If the horse is in full work, the injury reflected in the price (ours was less than 1/4 the price she would have been - but she hadn't been back in work), the vet agrees it is a reasonable prospect (although I wouldn't bother with an official 'vetting' as such) and you are comfortable with the risk, then why not?

 

[Shay]

You also want to factor in the pony's age and your circumstances. If the pony is mid / late teens you may well become the last owner. Are you set up to care for the pony into retirement? Normally you can count on selling on a good PC pony (I note you do not want to do PC) into their low 20's but with a history of injury this will be harder to do - and they may well go lame. But ponies also live a long time so you may end up with an unridden but feild sound for some time. If you are set up for that and happy then probably worth the gamble.

 

[laura_nash]

If you usually insure for vets fees (I don't) you also need to take into account you will need to disclose the history and there will probably be some hefty exclusions.

 

[Charliechops]

Thanks everyone for your wisdom, someone else bought the pony