Loss of Use Mark

A horse at my yard has what I thought was a loss of use mark behind his wither - a capital L in a circle. However he does BSJA and is ridden most days and the owner's never mentioned it. I don't know her that well so don't like to ask, but surely he must have had some problem that means he's unrideable? Is it likely he's recovered? Just wondering if anyone's heard of a written off horse becoming rideable again.

x
 
B

Bossanova

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2004
Messages
10,284
Visit site
It doesnt mean theyre unridable, just that they arent suitable to do the main job they are insured for.
He may be a headshaker, a shiverer, may not stand up to 3 day eventing, may have issues with collection- anything really!!
 
Yep, my boy has spent nearly 4 years in a field and was recently re-backed. He has been back in work since January. We are taking it slowly but so far so good. He had a loss of use L due to a sacroilliac injury.

He was a good show jumper, hence the LOU.
 
my mare has the LOU mark I had it done when she was no longer to be ridden however she has been able to return to work after 3years in retirement.
 
Oh ok thanks! Was just confused as I thought it meant he couldn't be ridden! Can't think of a reason why he'd have it. Not a headshaker or anything. Might be something I can't see. Thanks
smile.gif


x
 
My mare has the LOU mark on her, when she was 6 she was diagnosed with navicular syndrome in both front feet and artheritis in her right hock, we spent all of 2002 undergoing various treatments. But nothing worked so we claimed LOU and turned her away. She became sound and I spent last year doing affliated BD going to the area festivals (novice) and in 2006 we went to the the trailblazer finals (SJ 85cm). I now compete her unaffliated at about 90cm.
Incidently since she got the LOU stamp she has not had a days lameness!
 
My mare has a loss of use mark due to mild arthritis. It means she won't be going around blenheim any time soon (she was insured for 'Advanced Affiliated Eventing' (very posh!!) and this is what her stamp is for).

However I can jump her, gallop her, do dressage, and am intending to do low level ODEs.

She has never had a problem since I bought her a year ago.
 
Why is this not done on all horses that cannot be ridden? I've heard of horses that cannot be ridden being stolen and then god knows how much trouble, pain and discomfort both the horse and new unsuspecting owner will go through to find this out.

When my mare was diagnosed with Liver disease the vet asked me if I wanted her PTS just because I wouldn't be able to ride her again(can't believe people do this) surely they should've branded her with the LOU mark?
 
You normally only get a loss of use mark when there has been an insurance claim for such and its been paid out, just to stop people insuring the horse with a different company and doing the same thing. It of course also alerts people that there may be a problem with said horse. As regards horses being PTS becase they can't be ridden, it depends on whats wrong with them and the quality of life they can look forward to.
 
I have a horse in my rescue centre that previously won his class at the Royal International. He has navicular and arthritis and was deemed unfit and so he has the loss of use mark. He was lame for 10 years on and off but his owner couldn't bear to part with him. She loaned him out for a time but he was lame more often than not. She sent to me as a last resort. I have taken nearly 2 years but I have him sound. He is back in ridden work and although I wouldn't jump him, he is capable of performing a dressage test. He is a stunning horse and we love him to bits and you can see the quality in him when he moves now. He has a wonderful quality of life now and I often thank my lucky stars that he wasn't PTS. It would have been a tragic waste.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top