Less than £5k and vetting

[Whoopit]

How many people actually vet a horse before purchase that’s less than £5,000 for the insurer?

Whilst over £5k it’s all but compulsory to insure it for the value you bought it for, how many bother at less than that threshold?

I’ve bought horses in the past and not had them vetted but I’ve paid less than £1k for ex-racers so not worth any vetting to insure them! Just curious how many people have paid say £3k or £4k and not bothered paying £400 to vet as you can still insure in full?

 

[Widgeon]

I paid between 3 and 4 K and didn't vet, largely because the sellers were known to us and had sold good ponies previously. I could see from social media that the horse I was viewing was in work and doing more than I needed him to, and as I wasn't paying all that much for him we didn't vet. Had him 2 years + now and everything's been fine.

My last horse, I paid 6K (which was a LOT of money for me) and did vet. Nothing picked up, but he turned out to be a disaster. With lots of time and hindsight I suspect KS was a contributing factor, but that wouldn't have been picked up without x rays, as it didn't manifest until he was in proper work. When I bought him he was only in very light work. There were seemingly plausible reasons for this but I don't think I'd do it again. I'd only buy something that was working to the level I needed, and / or I knew the seller. I suppose you live and learn.