Horse Buying Woes

[RedDevlin]

Now I'm sure everyone goes through this...and I'm sure it's not the first 'oh my gosh horse shopping is so haaaaaard' thread to ever have existed. However... I'm biased in that mine affects me directly
Can someone talk some sense into me... Horse shopping, for not an awful long time in the grand scheme of things. But limited results in South West Wales with only weekends to visit and view. I'm a bit of a wimp at the best of times, however the process of trying horses out, some more spritely than advertised is probably doing me good...I mean I've only cried once after a viewing so that's great.
The first horse I fell in love with, possibly shorter than I was hoping for with my gangly features however, he was gorgeous, young, and a pretty stocky fellow. Viewed twice, deposit pending vetting...then after my second two hour journey home owner decided she 'couldn't bear to part with him', it had obviously come as a surprise to her that that would be part of the selling proccess. Oh well, I understand seomtimes it hits you harder than you think it will.
Next horse I fell in love with, a 9 year old TB ex-racer. Entirely not my type, in my stereotypical brain he was going to be fast, aerodynamic and scary, but his ad sounded promising and his owner assured me I wouldnt die (yes that is a requirement I put to prospective horses' owners). He was a lovely lad, stood like a rock to be fondled, and prodded, and tacked up, all while a mare bit his bum. Was ridden around the school and popped a small jump. I hopped on, and fell in love with how safe he made me feel, and yes very responsive. The following weekend I took him out for a hack with his owner and her Welsh D Stallion. He behaved impeccably, we saw balloons, kids, quads, motorbikes, fast traffic. We went for a canter through the woods and I got on from a hedge...all with no issues. Unfortunately, he failed the five stage vetting. Vet advised... slightly more of a hip roll in his right hind, and he had concerned with him being overly muscled in the neck, and not so much down the back/over the bum. Not in pain, not at all lame, but vet thinks he may not be up for the job that I want him for. Mainly Riding Club activities. I was devastated.
Having viewed several more and considered and awful lot more... I'm at a loss.

All I want is my (I use the term loosely) lovely Lando ex-racer. Do I continue looking... or do I take a risk on Lando. Vet thinks he would be fine in a hacking home, just not for more hardcore things. I'm not competitive, the most I'd want to do is a clear round or some jumping lessons. possibly XC training once a year. He is cheap, due to breed and stereotypes...and a failed vetting. So I could continue saving for if in a year or several years I can afford a 4k horse that will pass a vetting and I can do more with, once my temporarily (hopefully) confidence is ruined...

Someone please tell me what to do, I'm indecisive. Thankyou.

 

[YasandCrystal]

If it were me I would go for Lando. He obviously ticked your boxes and made you smile and if the vet says he will be up to what you want to do with him, I would buy him. I believe in going with your gut and at least if you know of a weak area you are forewarned. My WB flew a 5 stage vetting only for him to be written off with LOU within a year.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I would keep looking. Or see if the TB owner would perhaps loan him to you? What is he doing now? I think I would get a physio to look at him before I would even take him on loan tho.

Funny tho, all the horses I like are in Wales (and I'm in Scotland).

 

[RedDevlin]

Sorry to hear that Yasandcrystal, I guess you never can tell. Well that's just it. He doesn't think he is wholly suited to what I want, but then it's one vets opinion. And if I spend much more I'm risking spending over half what I'd be buying him for to not have a horse at the end of it.

Ffionwinnie, oh really? How funny. Well I know a few people from around here. So if there's anyone you want to know about I can ask friends or do some digging! I was thinking of doing that, and suggested it to the current owners. But then I got cold feet from people telling me not to bother and advised them I couldnt justify not listening to the vet. But now I'm not so certain. I'm not planning on doing anything too taxing because I'm a wimp. If I can get to a prelim test I'd probably wet myself with nerves, so don't need a world beater!

 

[Flame_]

I don't think I could buy a horse that failed a vetting, I can just picture the vet in my head saying to me in 6 months time when its all going wrong, "I told you so…"

I would keep on looking. I had two lovely young horses fail vettings when I was looking and while it was terribly sad, and I was sick to death of looking, I found a horse in the end who I think is pretty outstanding, and who is a lovely, cheeky chap to hang round with.

 

[JJS]

As someone who has gone from a saintly but fun ex racer to a much younger and quirkier gelding, I know from hard won experience that there are few things more precious when you're horse shopping than that feeling of safety. It it were me looking, I'd have snapped him up already.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Ha no I've got enough now but I've bought 3 from Wales and two of them were horses of a life time.

What did the current owners say when you suggested it?

Is he doing prelim level dressage just now? If not what is he doing?

 

[RedDevlin]

He's currently just hacking with his owner, as that's all she wants to do. Last year, her daughter took him and won some ROR showing classes, she did a bit of jumping with him and did a small amount of dressage but her interest is the cob stallions, of which she has two which took most of her time around work. I have some photos of him from the lady that retrained him as well as his curent owners... if only I knew how to post them, lol!

It's exactly the I told you so that's haunting me now. But it's also actually enjoying riding a horse for a change! Not feeling like a pleb, or like I might die!

I was half hoping for a unanimous yes or no, but it's nice to know that other people share both my points of view!

 

[NealaTorin]

Safety to me means everything. I have never had a horse vetted,I wouldn't not buy a horse because of it but I don't want to be a world beater either. I've viewed hundreds over the years but have a small handful that gave me the feeling g that I just couldn't walk away from. What exactly does the vet think could be problematic in the future? If it's something manageable then only you k ow if you are willing to take that chance. But I'm a heart over head person and if a horse made me feel safe having had confidence issues myself that to me would be a deal breaker.

 

[FfionWinnie]

If the horse isn't lame I'm not sure it would effect any insurance? You don't usually need a vetting for a horse worth less than 2.5k.

Nothing is cut and dried with horses I'm afraid. One of those horses of a life time I mentioned died 6 months after I bought her less than 24 hours after becoming ill with EGS.

It would really for me be, if you bought him, (or loaned him) and he went lame, would you be tough enough to call it a day, or would you be stuck with an expensive pet and nothing to ride.

 

[RedDevlin]

Safety to me means everything. I have never had a horse vetted,I wouldn't not buy a horse because of it but I don't want to be a world beater either. I've viewed hundreds over the years but have a small handful that gave me the feeling g that I just couldn't walk away from. What exactly does the vet think could be problematic in the future? If it's something manageable then only you k ow if you are willing to take that chance. But I'm a heart over head person and if a horse made me feel safe having had confidence issues myself that to me would be a deal breaker.

The vet had concerns over his topline muscle. He advised he thought his neck was very muscly in comparison to his back/hindqarters. I personally, can see that he has more muscle on his neck than, say a fresh OTTB but needed building up all along his topline I'dve thought. But the vet thought that was indicating a possible nerve issue. However he shows no pain or discomfort at all in that resepect. Neither ridden, nor being tacked/girthed etc.
His other concern was a slight medio lateral imbalane of his right hind, translating to 'more of a hip roll' one one rein than the other when performing tight circles. When questioned on how tight he advised on the spot circles. I've never had a vetting before so all of this is new to me. And only had this one done due to his age/history as a racer.
He is apaprently very well bred, I know nothing of TB breeding. But is an Aga Khan TB ? It's his fun, responsive but safeness that is making my heart hurt

 

[Frenchmade]

If the horse isn't lame I'm not sure it would effect any insurance? You don't usually need a vetting for a horse worth less than 2.5k.

Nothing is cut and dried with horses I'm afraid. One of those horses of a life time I mentioned died 6 months after I bought her less than 24 hours after becoming ill with EGS.

It would really for me be, if you bought him, (or loaned him) and he went lame, would you be tough enough to call it a day, or would you be stuck with an expensive pet and nothing to ride.

This. I didn't have my 'cheap' horse vetted. Over a period of 2 years where I hardly ever got to ride, he cost me in total over 7000 euros and a whole bagful of heartache. Are you prepared to risk that if you do buy him? Also, paying £4k for a horse won't guarantee it will pass a vetting. Im horse hunting at present, and I just had the one I wanted fail a vetting due to hind limb lameness. I passed him by. He is being re-advertised at £4500. There are no guarantees!

 

[RedDevlin]

If the horse isn't lame I'm not sure it would effect any insurance? You don't usually need a vetting for a horse worth less than 2.5k.

Nothing is cut and dried with horses I'm afraid. One of those horses of a life time I mentioned died 6 months after I bought her less than 24 hours after becoming ill with EGS.

It would really for me be, if you bought him, (or loaned him) and he went lame, would you be tough enough to call it a day, or would you be stuck with an expensive pet and nothing to ride.

I think i can generally be sensible about these types of things. I sold my last boy, not because I had to, but because i knew he could do better with someone else. Having tamed and broken him myself it was hard but whats for the best is for the best. If the decision had to be made I'm able to choose death over a life of pain. However if he stays sound enough for a hack now and again then he would still have a place in my life, for the lesser riders of my family

I'm really sorry to hear about your mare. That must have been heartbreaking. I'm going to have a stalk now to see if I can see pictures of your lot

 

[gunnergundog]

The vet had concerns over his topline muscle. He advised he thought his neck was very muscly in comparison to his back/hindqarters. I personally, can see that he has more muscle on his neck than, say a fresh OTTB but needed building up all along his topline I'dve thought. But the vet thought that was indicating a possible nerve issue. However he shows no pain or discomfort at all in that resepect. Neither ridden, nor being tacked/girthed etc.
His other concern was a slight medio lateral imbalane of his right hind, translating to 'more of a hip roll' one one rein than the other when performing tight circles. When questioned on how tight he advised on the spot circles. I've never had a vetting before so all of this is new to me. And only had this one done due to his age/history as a racer.
He is apaprently very well bred, I know nothing of TB breeding. But is an Aga Khan TB ? It's his fun, responsive but safeness that is making my heart hurt

A hip roll, or a hip-hike as I call it, can be indicative of hock problems - usually arthritis - and the medial/lateral foot imbalance is often secondary to that, as are issues in the lumbar area. What were the results of the flexion tests?

To be honest, assuming that your vet is an equine specialist and not a dog/cat vet, then I would walk if he cited any neurological concerns. Hock arthritis can be managed - at a cost - for many years I would guess for what you wish to do, but that coupled with possible neurological issues would make me walk away. There are plenty of other horses out there that are both sane and sound. Keep looking!

 

[wench]

How much is he for sale for? I'd probably offer the seller less than advertised due to vetting result.

Have you watched his racing videos? Spoken to the trainer?

 

[Kacey88]

I had one that couldn't build muscle over her back end. She looked unbalanced because her neck was quite muscly. It got more noticeable as time went on. She went lame eventually, x-rays revealed quite dramatic djd in her hocks. She was only 9. Walk away!

 

[FfionWinnie]

I think i can generally be sensible about these types of things. I sold my last boy, not because I had to, but because i knew he could do better with someone else. Having tamed and broken him myself it was hard but whats for the best is for the best. If the decision had to be made I'm able to choose death over a life of pain. However if he stays sound enough for a hack now and again then he would still have a place in my life, for the lesser riders of my family

I'm really sorry to hear about your mare. That must have been heartbreaking. I'm going to have a stalk now to see if I can see pictures of your lot

Thank you. It was a very unpleasant time and the second I've lost to EGS so it's always at the back of my mind.

Did the vet advise if there was anyway to rule out (or indeed in!) what he thinks the problem is? You should probably walk away but I never tend to do what I should do.

Here are my two girls. One Irish and one Welsh . The coloured is the safest horse I've ever owned, although sporty and fun with it. The palo was a pity purchase who is proving to be a bit special and giving me a lot of pleasure finding out what I've actually managed to buy

 

[*Whinney*]

I think my heart would rule my head on this one OP. Feeling safe is priceless and if the price can be negotiated and you are sensible with slow, correct training.

In fact I had FfionWinnie's palomino girl in mind while I was reading your thread, at least I think I did - spaghetti legs right FW?

OP - could he have an overworked neck from yanking a haynet while being stabled more over the winter?

 

[Micropony]

Unless you have your own land, and can afford to run more than one, I would keep looking. A horse with health issues can be a money pit, and absolutely heartbreaking. And from what I understand the vet has said he's not up to the job you want him to do? Sure, any horse can break at any time, but why buy a problem? There are lots of lovely horses out there, and for as long as you don't have one, you're saving the livery money to up your budget?

 

[Bernster]

I'd be moving on, there will be many horses who potentially fit the bill, and you will find one that does that and passes the vetting, if you have good search parameters and prepared to take the time and effort.

I def agree it's a right pain when you're in the middle of it and can't see the light at the end of the horsey tunnel, but I bet you'll find a good un. Only takes one and then before you know it they are home and you're thinking oh ****** what on earth have I done haha. Stick at it!

 

[pepsimaxrock]

My horse passed the 5 stage with flying colours. Vet said he wished every one was like her and he could have sold her 20x
Within a year she was on the table with colic surgery and has had an extraordinarily difficult recovery. Still here though x

 

[Kacey88]

I'd rather spend a year looking for the right one than 5 years paying for the wrong one.

 

[ozpoz]

It sounds as if you are offering the same level of work as a hacking home, which the vet felt he would do.. if you really like him, and it sounds as if you do, then go for it. The right horse is the one you feel happy on.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I think my heart would rule my head on this one OP. Feeling safe is priceless and if the price can be negotiated and you are sensible with slow, correct training.

In fact I had FfionWinnie's palomino girl in mind while I was reading your thread, at least I think I did - spaghetti legs right FW?

OP - could he have an overworked neck from yanking a haynet while being stabled more over the winter?

Yes, although to be fair I have my own land and she was only ever expected to be a light hack at best and I have others to ride. As it turns out her problems weren't long term ones and there is nothing wrong with her now but this guy sounds like he could be a bit trickier physically. I would still speak to the owners about loaning him tho, if you are dead keen on him OP.

Good point about the neck, I do wonder why over developed neck muscles would point to a nerve issue. The unbalanced foot would worry me more when it's attached to a potentially wonky hip. If I was desperate for the horse I would get a really good physio to have a look and see what they thought.

 

[Elsbells]

If the horse makes you smile.....buy him and enjoy him. You can add topline later with schooling.

 

[Ladyinred]

If the horse makes you smile.....buy him and enjoy him. You can add topline later with schooling.

This ^ I would let my heart rule my head and risk buying him as long as he is not expensive. If he gives you confidence and makes you happy then he is worth his weight in gold. Alternatively you good either get a second opinion on the vetting, or you could ask owner if she will let a physio visit him and give an opinion.

 

[Goldenstar]

Don't buy the horse the risk is just too high .
You'll find a one that passes the vet .

 

[rachk89]

Don't buy. I have found the hard way that ex racers are prone to bolting when in pain. I broke my leg and my confidence is still not right and that was over a year ago. You are already not confident so if suddenly the pain started with him and he did the same thing could you handle it? Remember he has been trained to leave a starting gate very quickly so they can go from halt to gallop in seconds. That's what happened to me just trying to get on this one. He has been trained to run and to run fast which is more than likely going to be his reaction to pain. Keep looking you are better off not being terrified.

 

[eahotson]

A hip roll, or a hip-hike as I call it, can be indicative of hock problems - usually arthritis - and the medial/lateral foot imbalance is often secondary to that, as are issues in the lumbar area. What were the results of the flexion tests?

To be honest, assuming that your vet is an equine specialist and not a dog/cat vet, then I would walk if he cited any neurological concerns. Hock arthritis can be managed - at a cost - for many years I would guess for what you wish to do, but that coupled with possible neurological issues would make me walk away. There are plenty of other horses out there that are both sane and sound. Keep looking!

How interesting! Mine had a five star vetting and was pronounced sound.I asked him to be sure of the breathing.Just a virus he said.He has RAO!! Once physio treated him when I got him home he showed a marked hip roll and the right leg swung in.Not enough to make him lame and physio said that he had been tight from the top of his neck to the tip of his tail and that the saddle had been an horrendous fit.Saddle fitter,more physio and some patient and correct schooling from my excellent instructor.He improved a lot but instructor said he always felt as though he needed to be so long.Hocks went,Vet said very mild and fixable.My own vet that is.I was devastated. Best thing that ever happened actually.He is better than ever now.Can collect more.Back problems have subsided and his back has changed shape and looks much stronger.So yes would think he had a hock problem (maybe slight but niggling discomfort) all along.Love him to bits and he has been an amazing horse for me in many ways and I can afford vet but if I had known all this when I went to view don't think I would have bought him.

 

[kassieg]

I wouldn't buy a horse that failed a vet & the vet advised against. It's not worth the heartache.
I know it sounds cliché but there will be 1 out there for you