just found out my horse had a broken hip prior to me buying her

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Arty

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I bought my horse a few months ago through a dealer and had her 5* vetted, I had noticed a slight dip on her left hip but didnt think she was standing square. Now I have been in contact with her first owner and she told me she had broken her hip at 1.5 years old, but was never lame with her. She is now 6 years old and worried about what this may mean to her development/future. The vet didnt notice this at the vetting, so have I paid too much and can I claim off him for this? Your advice is much appreciated x
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I'm assuming that the 5* vetting is quite lengthy and depending on what you want to use her for she obviously passed and was suitable for the purpose that you bought her for.
If shes 6yrs old she is pretty much developed anyway, and as long as there are no issues now i wouldn't imagine there would be any issues in the future.
It may always be a slightly weak point though, but i don't think you could claim off a vet they don't actually look at the skeleton of the horse.
I think there is too much of a blame culture nowadays, and don't necessarily think its fair that you should blame the vet for not detecting something that obviously has healed over 4yrs ago.
 
Without xrays, if she was sound, how would he know?!! Is he expected to have Xray eyes??!! If she past the vetting, whats the problem? I know a very good horse who hunted for 13 seasons and is now capable of BSJA'ing at 20, and he was brought with a previously broken leg!! Enjoy your horse!!
 
Very difficult to diagnose a # hip that has been done for many years just by sight alone, X-ray will show up but not the portable type usually as they are not strong enough. a dipped hip is usually shown by Asymmetry which more often than not can be sacrum problems and can be sorted. The rule that a Vet has to work with is if the horse is sound on the day then he has done his job providing bloods were taken and can be tested for dope, however, this is not always the case and you should talk directly with the Vet concerned as he should be accommodating with his findings. He will be covered by Veterinary Defence so if you do have a case they will handle the situation and pay out if necessary! Hope this is of some help to you.
 
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Friends horse broke his pelvis as a 2 year old and he's fine now and eventing.

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Are you thinking about the same horse as me
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I would say, just as a precaution have the chiroprator out to check her every few months.
TBH if her injury was that long ago, and she was that young it's not likely to bother her in later years.
 
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Probably, Jamie?

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.... did you know he was very poorly this time last year and was on box rest for months due to a Virus of some sort
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Well he is now ok and C is hoping to do a ODE on him in May
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Without xrays, if she was sound, how would he know?!! Is he expected to have Xray eyes??!! If she past the vetting, whats the problem?

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^^^ What she said!
 
The only likely thing may be arthritis in later life, but that hapens to loads of horses anyway.
I would forget it if I were you apart from always keeping her on a decent supplement.
Our stallion had 18 months box rest and he evented easily last year aged 16, so they can and do compete regardless of early injuries.
We also had a broken splint bone and that horse is competing sound 10 years later.
I wouldn't expect to be able to claim from the vet, a former broken bone is hardly likely to show up unless you had it X rayed at the time, and unless it affects her now I think you are a bit late claiming.
If however she is unsound then perhaps talk to the vet and see what he says, he will be insured but they may come down on his side.
 
Thanks everyone. I just needed to get it out there. Just wondered if this is the reason for her not wanting to canter and bucking like a bronco when she does, I have checked saddle, teeth?

Sometimes its best not to go into the history of your horse as you might find out some things which you dont want to hear! Anyway thanks, I will take all your advice on board and get on with getting to know her!
 
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Just wondered if this is the reason for her not wanting to canter and bucking like a bronco when she does

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Did she do this when you tried her out, or at the fast work stage of the vetting?
 
TBH when I went over to see her I was only able to walk/trot her on the road as the sand school was frozen and I wasnt present at the vetting as it took place in Scotland and I live in NIreland. I stupidly thought the vet would spot anything sus. It is actually obvious now when I look a her standing square her left hip is lower.
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Was the horse advertised? If so, and it was advertised as being suitable for x, y and z and the horse is not suitable, then you can takae the dealer to court. I would suggest that if the horse is being extremely naughty and you are unhappy about the old injury with regard to selling on etc, then get in touch with the dealer and either exchange or ask for a refund. Start the conversaion by explaining that the horse is being very naughty, you have found out about its old injury and then ask the dealer what they would like to do about it. Get an offer of some sort from then, and then decide whether it is enough or if you want to take it further.

I can understand that some horses go through life without problems having had this sort of injury, but why buy trouble if the horse is unsuitable in other ways. I bet few people on here would knowingly pay a decent price for a horse that had suffered from a broken hip.

Also, make sure that you get to canter the next horse you buy!!!
 
Thanks for that. I will just try and call her (the dealer) and the vet to see what can be done. But I do feel a sense of loyalty to the horse now and dont want to just dump her. However, I dont think the price I paid reflects the fact that she has had this injury. I had been sold the horse to bring on and do dressage with. I do have an email from the dealer stating that the horse would be suitable for me and for that purpose.

Thanks again.
 
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