New loan horse - should I pay for vetting?

056775

056775

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So I have been offered a horse which I rode out last year before it got injured and subsequently has spent last 4 months lame.

Its now come sound - however owner advises after scans and x-rays, the route of the problem was never found. The horse is still "pointing" the problem toe.

I am thinking of taking it off her on loan but wondering should I spend £200 on getting it vetted before boring all other costs with moving it to a new yard and unsettling her?

Would you or just ask a few people to look at her and take a view while she is at home? Or pay for a once over?

She is 6 and other than being backed and riden a few times by me has never left home

Hanoverian x Irish
 
If the horse is still 'pointing' as you call it, then I wouldn't take the horse.

The owner really ought to get a vet work up to check the horse is sound before offering the horse out for loan.

Sorry, maybe I'm confused, but why pay for a vetting on a loan horse who may well be unsound in the 1st place? :confused:
 
Tricky question.

In your shoes I wouldn't pay for a full 5 stage, but I might be inclined to pay a vet to come and assess general soundness - call out, flex and lunge small circles - approx £100, if lame walk away and you have saved the horse the upheaval a d yourself the time and transport costs. If sound then probably with a months trial
 
I probably would ask a couple of people who u know are good at spotting mild lameness as it is pointing toe. Then get her vetted
Reasoning is That if friends spot something you have saved ££.
If she had been back in work for a little while I probably wouldn't bother with vetting
I would also want it agreed that any lameness on that leg and you would not be responsible for vets bill and she would be returned ASAP sounds harsh but to me it's reality
Hopefully it is just a foot balance issue and can be resolved
 
I wouldn't pay for a vetting - you are loaning the horse.

Take it for two months, and ensure the owner knows that if the horse represents lame you will return it immediately, and won't be responsible for any vet fees.
 
All sensible advise thanks guys.....

Don't think the owner can afford more vetting and slightly concerned about how much treatment she had into prognosis due to this...

Just seems odd to me that vet could not find "any thing"...
 
Save your money. You are loaning,any problems and the horse goes back. As someone else said,trial for couple of months just because of the known concern,chances are as nothing ever showed up,horse will be fine.
I would also want a cause in the Loan agreement that any lameness as a result of known problem will have vet fees at owners expense and not yours.
 
Surely it would cost more to trial for 2 months than it would to spend a few quid getting an Independant eye on it upfront?
 
056775 said:
All sensible advise thanks guys.....

Don't think the owner can afford more vetting and slightly concerned about how much treatment she had into prognosis due to this...

Just seems odd to me that vet could not find "any thing"...
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That could depend on the owners financial state, perhaps the vet suggested nerve blocking or scanning & the owner could not afford to go further than basic lead up/lunge/flexions etc?

Edited: ignore the above, I didnt read your 1st post properly ref scans & x-rays! Sorry :)
 
Spottyappy said:
Save your money. You are loaning,any problems and the horse goes back. As someone else said,trial for couple of months just because of the known concern,chances are as nothing ever showed up,horse will be fine.
I would also want a cause in the Loan agreement that any lameness as a result of known problem will have vet fees at owners expense and not yours.
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Ditto this. Do you know of a farrier who might be trusted to give a good opinion??? Personally I'd far rather ask a farrier when its anything to do with feet, than a vet. But that's just (quirky) me.

But methinks there may be heartbreak around the corner if you were to take this horse on........
 
It depends what your concern it, if you are worried about being stuck with a lame horse or having loads of vet bills yourself then as it's only a loan I wouldn't worry - as said above - make sure the owners knows you'll be returning the mare if there are any ongoing problems.

If you are concerned you'll build a relationship and invest time and effort in a horse that may not have even a medium term future with you - then I would speak directly to her vet and see what he says regarding prognosis. If her vets have done lots of detailed specific investigations a new vet on a 30 min consult probably won't find anything new.
 
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