I can't attend the vetting

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi All,
I haven't been on for ages so brief update - my Cumbrian Heavy Horses' loan has ended up staying for 18 months but is returning imminently. I have been keeping an eye out for our new best friend but it was looking decreasingly less likely since prices are rocketing and the type of horse I want are selling for the asking price unseen, which I'm not willing to do.
I spotted something that went up at 10pm on Saturday night and decided to abandon my plans to go showing on Sunday morning and make the almost 200 mile round trip to see him. It was great, he is JUST what I want so we've paid the deposit and the vetting is booked.
The day of the vetting is just not going to be possible for me to make; I have a number of high level meetings already in the diary and I can't rearrange them and I don't want to postpone the vetting if I don't have to. It's my non-horsey husband's wfh/admin day so he could go on my behalf. He can spot a horse that is on 3 legs and has been around mine for 12 years now but is it a waste of his time driving all that way? For me the only thing he would spot is that the horse is not as I described him (quiet, placid, easy going but alert) and see what the vet is doing.
I don't know the vet going but the practice has been recommended to me by an equine vet and a friend who used to break in horses in the area and I have used them for a referral treatment previously.
WWYD if you were me? (Aside from crossing everything that he is sound and healthy)

When I bought my welsh A from Carmarthenshire, I did not attend, when I had a mare vetted in Monmouthshire I did not attend, and same with my most recent ID mare. I see no issue with it.

 

[Michen]

I wasn't able to attend the last two vettings of horses that ended up passing and which I subsequently bought. Reputable vets both times and reputable sellers.

In light of what soon transpired with both horses, I wish that I had been there . I would never miss a vetting in future.

Out of interest what difference do you think it would have made? You seeing something the vet didn’t or behaviour of horse?

 

[Merry neddy man]

Is your equine vet friend not in the area anymore if not would they be able to travel to do the vetting for you, have you a trainer/coach who could be there? I agree with others that H should take video of the FULL vetting and the vet to ring you IMMEDIATELY the vetting is finished, so everything is fresh in his mind, write down a FULL list of questions to ask him, record the conversation and make notes of the answers. Good luck.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Out of interest what difference do you think it would have made? You seeing something the vet didn’t or behaviour of horse?

I could have reassured myself that nothing that soon showed up with both was evident on the day. Though the IDx's epic muscular wonkiness would have been evident on the day. Yes, I should have spotted it myself on viewing, but the vet (from a top referral practice) should have at least noted it and mentioned to me. I may have gone on to ask for scans/x rays to investigate further.

My own vet said that she would not necessarily have failed her for the wonkiness if she was otherwise sound, but she would definitely have noted it on the certificate and mentioned it to the client.

 

[SO1]

I did not go to the vetting, used a vet that was different from seller vet. I had one fail a vetting and the second I bought, I was not present at either vetting.

Had pony for 13 years now, I did bloods as part of the vetting. Vet called me after vetting finished.

Not sure if there is any point your OH going as he is not going to be able to pick up thing that might be wrong with the vetting process or ask any questions. You need to say to the vet that the horse is placid, and that you are looking for a quiet horse and to look report behaviour as well as soundness.

 

[Britestar]

Horse vetted Monday. No chance of being there as 500+ miles away.
Vet called when she arrived, to say weather was appalling, and fast work in a field would not be advisable. Asked if we wanted her to carry on.
Rang again 5 mins later to say she had concerns about the feet, asked if we wanted her to carry on. Said yes.
Rang again to say horse was was lame behind on trot up. Said she didn't think worth carrying on.
Then rang again from practice to go through everything again.

Could not fault the service, just a shame horse failed.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I didn’t go to Kia’s vetting my dad did. Bet called and said he passed. My dad paid and he went in the lorry and came home.

I’d have rather been there but sometimes you just can’t. If it’s an honest and fair Vet then they will Give you an honest appraisal of the horse and if you are honest about what you want if for it will either pass or fail. Standing over it doesn’t change that.

 

[SOS]

As long as it was a vet of my choice that I trusted I wouldn’t mind not being there. I wasn’t there for two of mine but my own vet went who knows me well as we both ride in similar circles and see each other out and about. One that passed he even commented had been a bit quirky during the trot up/examination, all of this on the ground and not physical just was behaving difficultly, so suggested I tried it again and made sure it was for me as he knew I take mine out by myself. I did and it was fine... i bought it and not long after, it turned out to have major behavioural issues on the ground. I should of trusted his judgement!

Either you trust the vet and their judgement or you don’t, and in that case I’d look for another vet. Just explain thoroughly before your plans for the horse, riding ability and set up. Sounds silly but the more the vet knows the better they can assess it’s suitability for a job.

Personally when I do attend a vetting I stay way out of it. I definitely wouldn’t ride or handle the horse myself as that would be putting myself at risk of being seen to do something to make the horse fail.

 

[abbijay]

Update;
I didn't go but had a good chat with the vet before hand. She was happy with what she saw and her small observations were things I expected anyway.
So tomorrow I am back off on a long road trip with the trailer to bring home my new pony!!!

 

[Bernster]

Yay, was wondering if you had the result. Whoop.

 

[tinselbobs]

How exciting!! Pictures when they're home!

 

[Spirit2021]

Congratulations

 

[southerncomfort]

Yay!

 

[Tarragon]

Is your new "pony" going to be as big as your last one??

 

[abbijay]

Is your new "pony" going to be as big as your last one??

No, this one is my smallest so far. Alfie is 18.1hh, Asterix is nicknamed “Littl’un” as he’s only 17.2hh. Ace is a positively tiny 17hh. I imagine he’d fit in a normal stable, trailer, etc. How novel!

 

[splashgirl45]

pictures please once he is home congratulations

 

[abbijay]

He’s home!

 

[Flyermc]

View attachment 71938 He’s home!

stunning! very jealous

 

[Unicorn]

He's gorgeous ?

 

[Jeni the dragon]

He is stunning! Congratulations!

 

[Lexi_]

Oh that face! What a lovely boy.

 

[ycbm]

What a wonderful face, he is gorgeous!
.

 

[splashgirl45]

lovely face and kind eye, he looks huge!!

 

[Emilieu]

What lovely gentle eyes he has.

 

[Illusion100]

You don't need to attend a vetting. It will either pass or fail depending on purpose of use and the vet will be available to discuss.

Behavioural issues are none of the vets business, they are simply there to do a vetting.

Use an independent vet

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Insanely jealous but congratulations, he's bluddy gorgeous ?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

View attachment 71938 He’s home!

congrats - have loads of fun with him. Got a lovely intelligent face. Looks a tall chap by picture

 

[Red-1]

Gorgeous!!!

 

[tiggipop]

i am a little bit in love... hope you have many happy years adventuring together x x

 

[J&S]

What a very striking face! Such an unusual shaped blaze, he will not be easily mistaken in the dark! Congratulations, be happy.