Older Competition Horse Vetting - What Conditions Could You Live With?

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measles

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Following on from all of the advice we received in a previous post we are having a super 15yo Grade A vetted. We hope to jump him in classes up to 1.30 but not to campaign him heavily. I know that any horse who has done a job and got to 15yo will have some issues show up at vetting and not be as clean as a 4yo. So I got to thinking about what I would be perpared to accept if it comes up at vetting and what I wouldn't.

What would put you off completely and what could you live with or be prepared to take the risk on? Slightly stiff hocks, noisy wind........?
 
If horse is currently competeing regulary and has a few minor problems I wouldn't worry as I assume your only getting an older experience horse for "experience".
I wouldn't worry about splints, windgalls, slight noise, old injuries (ie scars) but just ask your vet if these on horse are likely to cause problems. As my vet has said any horse can be failed on any vetting!
 
My int grade A is 15 this year, she had couple of splints scraped, so has post op scars, flexion tests get a bit ropey, but within the norm, she needs her walkabout before work, otherwise can appear stiff and she doesn't keep weight and muscle as well as she used to. She is a bit high maintenance, but I wouldn't change anything about her. I am sure any vet could fail her, but horses for courses and wear and tear is expected at that age.
I have noticed that she has more battle scars from being travelled all over the place than from jumping and working itself if that makes any sense.
 
Splints, windgalls depends how often it will be worked amongst other things . . . what we have done in the past is have it vetted and then asked the vet to speak to our vet. Our vet then told us whether it would do the job we wanted, Good Luck
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Thanks for the replies. If he comes through the vetting with only a splint or two I would be delighted but I think that is unlikely as wear and tear are inevitable, as Martlin says. I know the horses owner well and he has been in the same ownership for 6 years, plus my vet is vetting and I will be there.

From the comments above I think I would be more tolerant than most and perpared to accept that older horses need more support to keep them on the road.
 
It will undoubtedly have hock changes, these I would be worried about- so many horses have them espec something older and well competed.
 
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I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just not bother getting him vetted and put the money towards treating anything as and when it arises! Never thought I'd hear myself saying that..

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That kind of might be the right answer, as it will have several minor or medium things going on and might be better to have your vet just have a look rather than 5 stage vetting... the most important things as eyes and trot up/ exercise to see if working sound.
 
I wouldn't worry about splints, windgalls, slight noise or any scar tissue/old injuries. they are to be expected really...

i would definitley get him vetted though encase he has a more serious underlying problem xx
 
It really depends on how functional the horse is. If he's CURRENTLY doing the job you want or more, has a few miles on the clock, and is not being heavily managed (ask, don't assume the seller will volunteer the information, in part because one person's "heavy management" is another person's "reasonable care") then some minor issues are not only acceptable but to be expected. As OB mentioned, you're almost certainly going to see some hock changes and maybe some roughness in ankles etc.

In a jumping horse I'd be more worried about anything significant in the front feet. If I was really spending money I'd likely even want them blocked, but then again, I come from a culture where the normal standard for sales vettings in much more extensive. (Almost everything gets x-rayed, even at quite low price points.)

Whether you put more faith in soundness or x-rays can be quite situational. Is the horse on it's "last legs" and the x-rays show the future? Or is he functionally sound just one of those that model bone easily?

Now if the horses ISN'T doing the job you want or, even worse, has been off for awhile, I'd be more suspicious. Lots of horses are sound enough to ride around but don't stay that way under stress and often the initial signs are performance loss more than outright lameness, which can be a real heartbreaker.

Again, ask the questions. Supplements? Whirlpools? Solariums? No schooling? Lots of older horses are great in their program but might not be in other circumstances. If you ask the people have to tell you but if you don't ask they aren't under any obligation.
 
TarrSteps - very much appreciate the time you've taken to respond. The horse is not being given anything other than standard feedstuff and has a consistent record at the level we want him for. He's also been in the current ownership for 6 yrs (from a novice) and is being sold for a legitimate reason. Which brings us to the question how will he adapt to a new rider after the same one for so long! I'll postpone worrying about that one till the small hours...
 
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