Horse sale about to fall through because of melanomas - WWYD??

I bought an 8 year old grey with small melanomas under the dock, by the time he has 14 they were absolutely everywhere, massive lumps under his chin, all over his head, etc. He was PTS at 16 because he kept getting laminitis because of them.

I can understand the buyers as you take a risk when you buy a horse with melanomas...but then again you take a risk when you buy a horse, they are very injury and illness prone animals. I had a great time with my boy before the melanomas got out of control so I don't regret buying him. I bought another grey after him (no melanomas but plenty of other problems nonetheless), but novice buyers tend to be put off by the perception of extra risk.
 
I have a grey connie with melanomas around his salivary glands under the skin. They're on near side and there are two about the size of grapes. They appeared very suddenly but haven't changed at all for the last year, he's now ten. They do affect his work, as he can't flex the head and neck so eaily and he finds softening the jaw uncomfortable. I monitor them closely and am aware that at some point there may be changes that cannot be prevented and may well effect basic functions; eating and swallowing. But at present he's happy to hack, hunt and jump but won't school - that's fine with me as long as he's got quality of life. When that quality is gone then I won't hesistate to do right by him, for now they're pushed to the back of my mind. Despite adoring grey's I won't ever be having another and wouldn't buy a horse with them regardless - sorry op.

I'm interested to hear about them causing Laminitis BooBoos - that's not something I've come across, but it's always nice to be as prepared as possible.
 
I suppose it depends on what experience you have had with them. I have seen some horrors, but they never affected the horse as such. My own mare developed small ones under her tail, with one growing to large pea size, and apart from being careful with bandages, they were never a problem and couldn't be seen. But I worried about them a lot, which was only because she was my special girl who I had for 28 years. But there are so many scare stories out there, whether right or wrong, so I can understand people being wary.

Personally I would not buy another grey, never mind one with melanomas, but then I don't go for greys (I wasn't going to keep my mare, wrong sex, colour, size, breeding. Was supposed to break and sell!) But as others have said there is the insurance question and also re-sale value, and as an older horse, if they wanted to sell in a few years they will then have the same problem.

Saying all this, I hope for your sake your buyers take the chance. There are plenty of cheap horses out there, but none of them are perfect, and your's sounds a gem.
 
Sorry to hijack, but could you explain about the laminitis booboos? It's something I've never heard of. Unless it was because in your case it was because the position of internal growths interfered with normal function?
 
My grey when 10 was being vetted for insurance purposes and the vet found a pea sized melanoma. The insurance co excluded all melanomas/sarcoids and cancers. He is 25 now and it never changed. He didn't get cancer or sarcoids either.
 
OP I wouldn't hold out much hope of these people buying your horse unfortunately. Grey horses ALWAYS get melanomas. It's not the melanomas that directly kill them because most are benign, it's usually the internal ones which can grow out of control and end up causing obstruction either to the intestines or important veins. I have greys and they all have melanomas but I've lived my life having grey horses and I accept they will always get melanomas and probably die earlier because of them. Some people can accept it, others can't. C'est la vie. You may find another buyer who isn't so hung up on them but possibly not at the price you are asking.
 
Littlelegs said:
Sorry to hijack, but could you explain about the laminitis booboos? It's something I've never heard of. Unless it was because in your case it was because the position of internal growths interfered with normal function?
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Interesting. I've never heard of it either... but out of three horses (as opposed to ponies I'd expect to be more at risk) that I've known have laminitus one was bay and left horrendously overweight in lush pasture, the other two were the two greys I rode and both slightly over but not anything that would have worried me past working it off them.
 
I thought I'd update you all - he was sold this evening to an amazing home. I reduced the price as a good home and easy sale was important! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and thank you for all the advice. I very stressful day indeed!
 
DMX said:
I suppose it depends on people's experiences and advice given. Their instructor has said don't touch with bargepole - someone they trust. They are inexperienced, as am I, so I understand that they would take this person's advice very seriously.
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The 'expert' freinds are always a nightmare - walk away from them - if he flew through his 5 star vetting and the vet said not a problem - be prepared to wait for a serious buyer who is not looking for an excuse, don't drop £1K on £2K as £2K is still a reasonable price for what sounds a nice horse. At £2K I would not have a horse vetted (and it is not that I have more money than sense......, but I don't need to rely on a 'friend to give me the thumbs up - or not) a horseman dealer freind of mine, always said at that price, you are better spending the vetting money towards a decent saddle........! I once knew someone who spent £5K on a horse (had it vetted another £200 quid) and it killed itself in the field next day, uninsured, because the insurance had not yet kicked in - extreme case, but it happens!
 
DMX said:
I thought I'd update you all - he was sold this evening to an amazing home. I reduced the price as a good home and easy sale was important! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and thank you for all the advice. I very stressful day indeed!
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Oh well, my advice (for what it was worth - about 50p) was not needed - glad you are happy with your sale, and that is the main thing.
 
Dressedkez: thanks for your advice which was worth more than 50p!!

Horse was discounted £1k from £4750. Was told by an experienced mate to accept £4k but for the sake of £250 I'd rather he went to good people and be done with it!
 
DMX said:
I thought I'd update you all - he was sold this evening to an amazing home. I reduced the price as a good home and easy sale was important! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and thank you for all the advice. I very stressful day indeed!
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Great news.
 
DMX said:
I thought I'd update you all - he was sold this evening to an amazing home. I reduced the price as a good home and easy sale was important! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and thank you for all the advice. I very stressful day indeed!
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Great news, I'm delighted for you :D
 
CharlesMax said:
Dressedkez: thanks for your advice which was worth more than 50p!!

Horse was discounted £1k from £4750. Was told by an experienced mate to accept £4k but for the sake of £250 I'd rather he went to good people and be done with it!
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Really - more than 50p...? send me an address so that I can send you an invoice! Glad that you made a good sale, to good people, a happy ever after ending is what we all want.
 
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