Horse vetted... noise in canter

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LansdownK310

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My horse purchasing is not going well…

Found a lovely mare skewbald 6yrs old 16hh ISH brilliant push button jump but unschooled on the flat, very safe and sensible but not a plod. I want an all rounder to do a bit of everything but ultimately some intro and pre novice eventing.

Had her 5 stage vetted yesterday, all fine except for she makes a noise at expiration in canter. Noticed it the second time I viewed her, but all of us believed it to be due to her being very unfit. It was worse yesterday due to the fact that she was ridden with no noseband (I had her in a flash before), her teeth are bad and need attention so she’s a little bit gobby (and I don’t think she likes a single jointed bit). My vet seems to think that it is air in her mouth billowing against soft palette. He’s noted not a roarer and has offered a scope which I have booked in, seems to think fitness and a grackle or drop (although drop not an option) could help to keep her mouth shut. Seems to think that she’ll be fine for what I want to do just need to keep her fit (although he noted she’ll never make an advanced eventer – but neither will I!)

Don’t know what to do with this one, she’s perfect in every way except this – it’s a real gamble as to whether the noise will improve or degenerate over time. I’ve tried so many horses that aren’t right recently and thought this one was a glimmer of hope. My vet has said unless I’m spending big bucks (7k +) I’m not going to find something perfect.

What would you do in this situation?

Coffee and cake for those that have read this far!
 
honestly

walk away. having had one with what started out minor breathing issues (RAO) that got worse I would never go there again.

Are you sure it wasn't the warmer weather affecting her rather than noseband??
 
Do what you have done and get her scoped to assess cause, esp if it is not laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring) may be of little real concern. Get it checked first and find out what its likely to mean, then make your decision based on that and what your vet says. I would imagine you can get a reduction on price if you decide to go forward.
 
A horse at our yard makes noise in canter, he's a very long horse, with a long neck, he's better the fitter he is, he does pre novice and I think upto novice level BE, but would struggle with anything more. She knew of his problem when she bought him, which is the only reason she could afford him, he is a quality horse but she got him at a very low price due to this issue. If the horse suits your purpose, you really like her and the vet says the condition is suitable for what you want to do, then I'd be putting a suitable offer in (less than market value due to wind issue), if you think you may end up wanting to do more than this mare will be capable of due to this issue then walk away.
 
If I were to walk away, how would I stand with regards to a retaining deposit I have put down... even though vet certificate says suitable for RC and low level BE?
 
LansdownK310 said:
If I were to walk away, how would I stand with regards to a retaining deposit I have put down... even though vet certificate says suitable for RC and low level BE?
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LansdownK310 said:
How much does a wind issue affect market value - I have no idea!
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I am no expert but the vet has found 'something' and I think that means you are entitled to a refund of deposit. Depending on how much you have put down I would even be prepared to lose a reasonable deposit if I had too

As far as reduction in value it depends how much the horse is to start with. say £5000 then a reduction of £1500 would in my opinion be realistic

But no matter how cheap I would still walk away, a horse is no good no matter how cheap if it can't do what you want either now or in the future

You could always say, get her fit and if I haven't found anything else in 2 months will try her again
 
my tb is abit noisey and a horse on our yard is extremely noisy and he copes fine with regular BS and elementry BD, it just doesnt sound very pleasant.

If the horse is right i would get it scoped and see how bad it is. i know many horses with abit of a breathing problem that go day to day life fine if its correctly managed.
 
Could the horse be a 'high blower' - that condition does not affect performance.

I would have her scoped if you like the horse enough, then get a conclusive diagnosis and opinion from the vet. It would be risky to buy the horse with all the emotional attachment that will involve if she has a condition that could deteriorate as one poster suggested or prevent you from achieving your goals with her.

It's all very well for a vet to say that they believe that a condition will not prevent the horse from competeing at whatever level - but that comment will possibly get you insurance cover with exclusions for that soft pallete/roaring condition.

A roarer doesn't necessarily get worse - we owned one and he was unaffected by it, yet a friend had one who would gasp for breath after a circuit of trot and had to be operated on.
 
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She's not a high blower, my TB did this in canter, this noise is different.

It's only when she's active and in the canter and does seem to improve the more she does. She's fine at rest, imediately after canter when puffing and in other gaits.

Vet has said definitely not a roarer and noted that on certificate.
 
YasandCrystal has raised a very valid point, as it has been noted on the vetting any insurance you take out to cover the animal will exclude any issues arising from this condition. So you need to ensure either you have the money to spend if vet attention is needed in the future, or have it full invested now to ensure it's not going to deteriorate, or walk away. If the horse has been advertised as suitable event etc, and this proves it is not fit for the purpose for which it was advertised I would imagine the deposit should be refunded, but you would have to speak to a solicitor (or bhs legal helpline) to be sure on this.
P.s. insurance companies don't need much of an excuse to put an exclusion on, a horse i knew was vetted once, it was in it's winter coat, but fully clipped, had the typical rein rubs on the side of the neck, vet made a note of this, and insurance excluded any skin condition!!!!
 
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I was also going to ask if she was a high blower - our 13.2hh JA is and it is not a problem. However, I would walk away for the reasons others have said.

It is possible to get just the sort of horse you describe - I source them in Ireland for clients - without any problems. But some I find will have wind issues just as some have other problems and they are picked up at vetting. After that I walk away as why should I or clients compromise and become emotionally involved, not to mention financially, when the risks are increased?

Best of luck whatever you decide :)
 
My mare did exactly this when I tried her, and I mentioned it to the vet when I requested the vetting (vetted for potential to do Intermediate eventing). He scoped her there and then, everything was absolutely fine, and was put down to her being young, unfit and stabled in a dusty environment.

Since I've had her she has never had a problem. She is now a high blower, but is fit enough to event at about PN level, and jumps newcomers BS courses no problem, as well as galloping etc for decent lengths of time.

I didn't get any discount on price, as there was nothing wrong with her!!!
 
I bought a connie that made a noise in canter. I had her scoped before buying her and the vet found that one side was narrower than the other, hence the noise when she was unfit. He passed her as perfectly fit to do riding club and everything else I wanted to do. She was absolutely fine and I am so glad I went ahead. I didn't ask for a reduction because there was really nothing wrong with her. Worth checking.
 
Depending on the price I would offer way less than they are asking due to the 'noise' and what the vet has said. Scoping will tell if all is OK or not and I would wait to make up my mind.

If you only want to do the lower levels then she should be fine.
 
It wouldn't worry me too much as I have had two horses that did this and it didn't seem to affect their fitness at all. Mind you, I was not eventing or anything but both competed dressage and low level show jumping. It could indicate COPD (which one of mine had, but it didn't bother him too much as I kept him on megazorb bedding and fed him haylage.
 
Personally, an expiratory noise wouldn't concern me too much and may well diminish as her fitness level increases. If she's ticking plenty boxes, don't discount her, just try to get a reduction in the price to make you feel a bit better ;)
 
My old horse was a 'roarer' a pretty bad one as well. He was fine it didn't affect him at all. He jumped and won foxhunter BS, won area PC eventing, 3ft6 unaff eventing, could hunt all day without getting tired, jumped all his life untill he died of colic at 26. He also had mild copd. He was a pretty exceptional horse.
The noise you say the horse has wouldn't put me off at all, it's not even a proper roarer. Definitly get it scoped if it makes you feel better but the vet has already said he will be fine for what you want. Our horse failed the vet massively when we got him as they wouldn't pass him for jumping, he had already qualified for HOY's lol.
 
My horse is gobby and also makes a noise in canter. It sounds like hes snotty and got a cold but he hasnt. My horse draws his tongue back and apparantly doing this can block the airway, hence the noise. Lots of racehorses do it and wear tongue ties etc.
Id be more inclined to walk away because of the gobbiness as Ive never managed to cure it despite having teeth done, wolf teeth out and trying numerous bits to no avail and its definately caused issues for us as my boys has turned into a habit now. If you arent bothered about the gobbiness and the scope is ok then you may be able to use it as a bargaining tool if you really like her.
Good luck
 
Our horse makes a noise in canter too. We noted it at the viewings and it was noted at the vetting with the horse then scoped. Vets opinion was that it would be an unacceptable noise on the hunt field (???, we don't hunt so not an issue) but it was not detrimental to him for what we wanted to do. Vets opinion was that he'd be OK up to Novice eventing (we'll never get there LOL). As he was exactly what we wanted in all other respects we bought him. He does get better the fitter he gets.

If it was me I'd accept vets opinion and go ahead with purchase.
 
I'd speak to your vet and possibly other vets about it. Inspiratory noise is a worry as it's usually due to laryngeal hemiplegia, and a sign of restricted airflow on inspiration, which can hamper performance. Expiratory noise is generally not a worry, so I wouldn't write her off.
 
My loan horse has a loose pallet and so roars in canter/gallop, can be operated on but owner (whose husband is an equine vet) sees no point unless he does amazingly :)
 
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