OMG... Horse coming tomorrow- i've never even seen!

With the history you've picked up on, I'd speak to your vet and have them come out to do a thorough vetting and any other tests necessary whilst it's on trial with you, before you committ to the horse in the long term.
 
I think I would be wanting to have a proper chat with the horses owner regarding the injury, what the prognosis was etc. And obviously make sure he's sound when he arrives! I think I would be wary. TB's break so easily and I would be worried about taking one on after a serious injury, all depends on how hard his life with you will be. Having said that I took my ex racer on, on 3 legs! He has had no end of issues, but I am happy with him being a happy hacker and taking each day as it comes.
I am glad you have a trial, and as others have said, don't feel pressured to keep him, especially if its just to keep YO on the sweet side!
Good luck!
 
I have to admit keeping my y/o sweet is really bothering me! I am terrified that i wont like the horse for some reason and she is convinced i will love him- also he is her all time favourite at work, It will almost be a personal insult to return him!
She wont ride him first, she is very very nervous and hasn't sat on a horse since last year- and her mare is the most perfect horse ever! her daughter might?!

Are tendon injuries always obvious? the ones i have seen have been

However i am leaving the yard in August anyway!
 
McNally said:
I have to admit keeping my y/o sweet is really bothering me! I am terrified that i wont like the horse for some reason and she is convinced i will love him- also he is her all time favourite at work, It will almost be a personal insult to return him!
She wont ride him first, she is very very nervous and hasn't sat on a horse since last year- and her mare is the most perfect horse ever! her daughter might?!

Are tendon injuries always obvious? the ones i have seen have been

However i am leaving the yard in August anyway!
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This is not about your YO - it's about you and a potential new horse. You are the one that has to like it, ride it, keep it and pay for it.

So, once it arrives get it looked at by the vet, and go from there. If it's not for you say so - it really doesn't matter who you may upset by saying that.

You also have time before it arrives to get to the bottom of whether it has leg issues or not - by simply ringing the owner. It may well be that once you've heard what they have to say you have no interest in the horse at all. In which case the whole issue becomes moot.
 
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McNally said:
Are tendon injuries always obvious? the ones i have seen have been
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My previous mare evented for 2 years on a tendon injury, which only ever revealed itself as minor lameness maybe three times that lasted a week or two (retrospectively there were more signs but at the time it seemed insignificant... we presumed she just liked to get a bit close to fences etc) scans missed it too, no one spotted it till she broke down.

But it was a very rare injury and from the sounds of it your (!!) horse's was pretty obvious, you have the huge advantage of knowing where to look first if something seems to be bothering him! Can't wait to see the photos btw :)
 
If it is sound now having broken down wouldn't bother me much. I used to work with one that broke down three times and raced successfully after each incident (was brought back into work after each time as despite attempts to retire her she kept jumping her way onto gallop no matter where we put her and she joined in work. She retired 100% sound to the breeding shed last year. What is the horse's racing name? TBH I would only be trialling him on the understanding (in writing) that you are under no obligation to take him and I would also rather be talking with the current owners myself to establish what is happening. It could work out brilliantly but you need to be certain and not thinking of YO's feelings
 
McNally said:
I am a mixture of blind panic and excitement right now!
I have been looking for a horse, something quiet to ride out with my daughter and do some fun rides etc but generally hack.
My y/m and her daughter told me about a horse and really raved about him at a yard they work on. I eventually asked for the number so i could ring up and find out more, maybe arrange to visit, Ohh, no....Got to the yard yesterday to bring my daughters pony in and am told its all been arranged he's coming on Tuesday for a months trial??!!! WTF????

I dont know how i reacted tbh i was so stunned. My first reaction was slight irritation maybe that i hadnt even said yes but then i saw how really chuffed with herself y/o was at having found me a horse for free and arranged delivery (transport bothers me!) that i didnt have the heart to be crabby! The more i hear about him the better he sounds (although really not what i was looking for)
He's 10, Bay raced until being turned away last year but has also hacked and done fun rides with the trainers wife. been wintered out so apparently a bit scruffy and needs a good feed but generally a really nice sort.
y/o daughters knows me well and i ride her horses and she rode mine so she knows what i want in a horse and what i will accept and she is convinced he's perfect for me and i will love him.

Sooo, really exciting but at the same time like being in a slightly mad dream. I'm NOT a person ever take on something unseen but do trust these people and its a month trial.... watch this space, and wish me luck!
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This is exactly how I got my first pony :) so it really made me smile x I went to a show and there were 2 horses for sale, the one won everything going and we arranged to see him, the other on was advertised in the entry caravan but not present at the show. We arranged to go and see the one that was at the show but the day before they rang and said they had just sold him, I was devastated. The following tuesday my mum and dad picked me up from school and drove me to my riding school, there was this stargazing wild eyed pony being dried off in the stable, the YO had got him on a months trial so I could try him, he jogged, stargazed and box jumped, I adored him, and he was absolutely perfect for me, my dad got him for me and I had the best friend and companion a girl could want, he taught me so much, I was 13 and in my own inept way, we bumbled through, I reschooled him, taught him to jump properly, he never stopped jogging though (but I liked that :D)

Good luck, I really hope it works for you :)
 
Ehm, sorry to be dense here, but just WHY is your YO so mad keen on this horse? Personally I'd be quite suspicious that there's an "agenda" here, i.e. maybe she's making a bit on the side and this horse is part of that.

I think you need to take a deep breath, steady yourself, and see the thing as rationally as you can.

I've gotta suspicion you're being set-up here. I think your YO is giving you a lot of shite about it being her "favourite" etc., and she's probably only looking to make her cut on this deal, with you being the patsy.

I'd insist on a 5-stage vetting for a start, before you do anything else; and treat the whole thing just like you'd view any other horse.

Have a completely impartial friend (nothing to do with your YO!) to come and look at the horse, watch it being ridden, watch YOU ride it, etc etc.

Don't feel pressured because your YO "thinks" its the one for you. If she's the one that's gone and got it to the yard, then that's her decision and you need to be impartial, cool-headed and wise.

If its not suitable, for whatever reason, or there are vet issues, then don't feel pressured. Your YO got it to the yard, its her problem if it's not what you want.

But like I say, I've got a nasty suspicious mind I'm afraid, and this does raise my suspicions a bit I have to say. When you've been around horses (and horsey people) for a while, you do tend to be a bit cynical unfortunately.

Be wise, and be discerning, I'd say.
 
amymay said:
Ooo someone's looking to make a penny or two off your back. And remember - once he's up, fed and getting fitter he probably won't be the quiet plod that's being delivered.

I feel quite cross on behalf of this horse that his retirement is being left in the lap of the gods. Poor lad.
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^^ This!

By all means give him the benefit of the doubt and try him now you have the chance but tbh he doesn't sound like the sort of horse I would sell to you for your daughter and describe as 'quiet'. :confused:
 
Oh he' s FREE ! Well that changes things a bit. I've seen several ex racers with completely blown tendons, hugely bowed, have no problems at all with riding club. I owned one which had pulled a tendon off a sesamoid bone in a hind and he was no problem either. If you only want him to hack and dressage he shouldn't be a problem but he'll be more difficult to rehome if ever you need to as people don't like the blemish if he has a bow.
 
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