Horse looks uneven from behind

[C123]

Hi,

Am on the search for a new horse and recently went to see a lovely 4yr old at the weekend. Unbroken. The owner/seller of the horse mentioned that he wasn’t 100% even behind. The left side is slightly lower than the right. I tried to take a photo but the horse is resting the right like so it’s hard to see but I can post it and let you guys see it.
Am just wondering if there is much point in me getting this horse vetted for it to potential fail or pass, or if I should just walk away?
Any help, previous experiences with this would be great. Thank You.

 

[C123]

 

[Tiddlypom]

If the pelvis is level, the horse could still pass a vetting if otherwise sound, but any muscular asymmetry should be noted on the vet cert. If the pelvis itself is unlevel, then I'd expect that to be an outright fail.

I wouldn't take an unlevel horse on unless I knew what the cause was, and whether with correct work the asymmetry could be evened back up.

My own mare sailed through her 5 stage vetting by a vet from a top referral practice, and the vet didn't spot her whopping muscular asymmetry behind...

 

[Fanatical]

Run a mile! Not worth the heartache.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I’m confused as to why the owner isn’t investigating seeing as they’ve pointed it out to you? if you pay for a vetting, you are in effect doing investigations for them? I assume it’s just an example of it being a sellers market and someone will be happy to go ahead. Do you know if anyone has had a vet look at this horse and the outcome?

 

[C123]

I’m confused as to why the owner isn’t investigating seeing as they’ve pointed it out to you? if you pay for a vetting, you are in effect doing investigations for them? I assume it’s just an example of it being a sellers market and someone will be happy to go ahead. Do you know if anyone has had a vet look at this horse and the outcome?

No the horse has never been vetted before. I never thought that if I did get the horse vetted then I would just be doing the investigating for the owner. Thank you for that advice.
I am going to pass on this horse as it’s already had enough keeping a sound horse sound without buying a horse that already has an issue.

 

[sbloom]

If the owner won't investigate hind unlevelness then what else have they skimped on and why are they selling? Lots of reasons why they might be unlevel, many easily fixable but I think you're right walking away.

Edited now I'm on the PC - you can't see a lot in the photo, photos to show conformation/posture need to be fairly close up, and the horse square/squarish (if they won't stand square that's your first warning sign that their posture is "off") and on level ground, any horse bending like that won't look remotely straight.

 

[Melody Grey]

I think you’re right to walk/ run away on this one. I think I’d be more optimistic if it was younger with a bit more growing and shaping up time. Obviously still growing at 4, but I’d want it to be past the seriously wonky donkey stage at 4.

 

[Xmasha]

It depends , talk to your vet . I had an interesting discussion with the senior vet at our local practice, he was telling me some horses can be born slightly uneven in the pelvis , this doesn’t always affect them . So it depends if you really like this horse / price / breeding etc . But definitely worth getting a good vet to have a look .

 

[DSB]

"Knocked down hip?"Usually caused by a crashing fall and skid,Some horses recover,I've known 2 that went on to race successfully but I wouldn't buy one.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

My mares is a little like this she has a past injury that wasn’t treated at the time ( I didn’t own her then ) and she was over compensating on the other three legs she had but twice a day and in hand work and it’s healed ok but tbh from all the money it’s cost in vets physio time and effort I wouldn’t buy