horse vetting?

[icelandic]

hi, i actually joined here ages ago, saying i wanted to get a horse. well its happened, i have found the most perfect mare and she is going to be ours as soon as she is vetted. however i do have a couple questions regarding this. unfortuately as its at 2pm on a friday, and the drive is 2 hours there, i can't be there due to school. the owner said she will video important bits, but what are some questions i should ask via the phone? if any?
how common it is for horses to fail the vetting? is it less common with hardy breeds (icelandic in this case)?
i have a few more questions for if she fails the vetting but i guess i should ask them if/when it happens, hopefully she won't of course.

thanks in advance & feel free to add anything else you think i should know!

 

[nagblagger]

Congratulations in finding a horse,
i would speak to the vet explaining exactly what you will be doing with the horse, eg happy hacking or competition potential so they will be able to give you an honest opinion of suitability.
The vet is there to point out any issues, a lot of horses have some faults but it depends what they find and the implications relating to the activity level you want your horse to perform at. Then it is up to you to do what you want with the information, walk away or renegotiate the price.
Remember the vet is working for you so feel free to ask for any explanations, no question is a stupid question.
Good luck and remember pictures are mandatory!

 

[eggs]

Let the vet know exactly what you are wanting the horse for. A horse doesn’t pass or fail these days but will be assessed as whether or not it is suitable for the intended work.

Is it your vet that is doing the vetting or the owners? You can ask the owner to share the horse’s veterinary history.

If the vetting does throw up some red flags have a discussion with the vet about them and their implications.

 

[icelandic]

Congratulations in finding a horse,
i would speak to the vet explaining exactly what you will be doing with the horse, eg happy hacking or competition potential so they will be able to give you an honest opinion of suitability.
The vet is there to point out any issues, a lot of horses have some faults but it depends what they find and the implications relating to the activity level you want your horse to perform at. Then it is up to you to do what you want with the information, walk away or renegotiate the price.
Remember the vet is working for you so feel free to ask for any explanations, no question is a stupid question.
Good luck and remember pictures are mandatory!

i have absolutely no interest in competing, she is purely for fun, so flatwork and hacking.

Let the vet know exactly what you are wanting the horse for. A horse doesn’t pass or fail these days but will be assessed as whether or not it is suitable for the intended work.

Is it your vet that is doing the vetting or the owners? You can ask the owner to share the horse’s veterinary history.

If the vetting does throw up some red flags have a discussion with the vet about them and their implications.

we have a vet that is doing the vetting, the horse is being sold by a breeder/farm with around 80 iceys as she is owned by an elderly couple that can't sell her themselves.

 

[Red-1]

i have absolutely no interest in competing, she is purely for fun, so flatwork and hacking.


we have a vet that is doing the vetting, the horse is being sold by a breeder/farm with around 80 iceys as she is owned by an elderly couple that can't sell her themselves.

It sounds like a private sale, with the breeder acting as an agent. In this case, it is legally regarded as a private sale, so without the extra protection of buying from a business.

The owners are not allowed to lie though, so I would ask (in writing) a number of questions. For example, about soundness, vices, hacking, bucking etc etc. They must answer truthfully or, if it proves not to be true and you can prove it, you may get your money back.

I would chat with the vet by phone before the vetting, so they get a feel for you. Sometimes the result is also about your attitude to risk as well as the actual horse before them.

I would let the vet know that you will be available on the phone, if they have any queries.

Also, if it is a definite no, I will ask them to stop the vetting immediately, as then it is often cheaper.

 

[Gloi]

Check that the vet is experienced with Icelandics because if they aren't then it can be awkward if they don't easily show trot and the vet is trying to do a trot up for soundness. If the vet is the breeder's vet that shouldn't be a problem though.

 

[Widgeon]

Based on what you've said about what and where you're buying from, I would try to speak to the couple who actually own the horse, as well as the breeder. Make sure you have actually seen her or tried her ridden on the road if that's something you need. If she's a bit older, i.e not a youngster, has she ever been off the farm, and how much has she actually done in terms of ridden work? If she's spent her whole life on one farm, running in a herd, just bear in mind that she may struggle to cope (at least initially) with a move to a different situation and going out and about.

Get absolutely everything about the horse in writing, ideally via email as that's less open to misinterpretation.

Good luck with it all, I hope she's lovely.

 

[Birker2020]

hi, i actually joined here ages ago, saying i wanted to get a horse. well its happened, i have found the most perfect mare and she is going to be ours as soon as she is vetted. however i do have a couple questions regarding this. unfortuately as its at 2pm on a friday, and the drive is 2 hours there, i can't be there due to school. the owner said she will video important bits, but what are some questions i should ask via the phone? if any?
how common it is for horses to fail the vetting? is it less common with hardy breeds (icelandic in this case)?
i have a few more questions for if she fails the vetting but i guess i should ask them if/when it happens, hopefully she won't of course.

thanks in advance & feel free to add anything else you think i should know!

Not much more to say, other than good luck!

 

[icelandic]

hi, this was from last week & she has passed the vetting and been bought by us. thank you though!

Not much more to say, other than good luck!

 

[Gloi]

hi, this was from last week & she has passed the vetting and been bought by us. thank you though!

Congratulations. Pictures are needed now ?

 

[icelandic]

Pictures are needed now ?

she comes home on the 9th of may so then i definitely will!

 

[Gloi]

she comes home on the 9th of may so then i definitely will!

I'll look forward to seeing her. Icelandics are the best ?