Is vetting for a fat/unfit cob really doable?

[Jambarissa]

I've always bought market rescues or been given horses but I did buy my last one. Wanted her vetted and owner was willing but when I spoke to the vet it didn't really sound possible - they wanted lunging on a hard level surface (not sand school) at walk and trot and a fair amount of work to get her heart up. Owner was willing but didn't actually have any hard ground other than broken concrete car park and the horse was mega fat and unfit so we weren't sure she'd manage it.

We did consider taking her to an equestrian centre to do it but in the end I just bought her and we were lucky. She became a cracking horse once we got the weight off.

And now I'm looking for one for my husband. Seen one which is even fatter and less fit and well schooled. He's kept in a field in a residential area so prob going to have the same issues.

Facilities aside, is it really possible to vet a fat unfit horse? Would the vet do the best they could and make a judgement or will they just say it fails? I'm capable of checking for normal stuff but if I bought one with issues I wouldn't be able to sell on so might end up with (yet another) pasture ornament.

Thanks

 

[Caol Ila]

I did a two-stage on a fat, unfit Highland and trotted him up on part of a grassy field. The vet said that doing the trot up/flexions on hard, flat ground would be ideal, but our only options were a busy Co-Op carpark or the main road into Aberfoyle, so that wasn't going to happen. Vet was happy to make the best judgement she could with what we had.

I wouldn't bother with a five stage under those circumstances, but vets will do what they can in a two-stage with whatever they've got to work with.

 

[moorhillhorses]

Work with what you’ve got, check heart, Trot up and check legs etc