Opinions on Bar Firing??

C

ClaireT

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 January 2006
Messages
527
Location
Scotland
Visit site
I have an option to buy a 9yo 16.2 TB which has unfortunately been bar fired at an early stage in life.
I don't know much about bar firing other than it isn't as intrusive as pin firing.
The horse has recently spent some time XC training with Caroline Powell and apparently jumps for fun, but I just don't know if it's worth the risk.. What does everyone think???
confused.gif
 
well, it wouldn't have been fired unless it has already shown signs of weakness/injury in the tendons. depends what you want to do with the horse, and how much it is. i'd want to check the tendons late at night after galloping and jumping (not very realistic prior to purchase, i know!) to see what they do once stood in for a good few hours. any heat or swelling, no thank you, if it's to event or anything strenuous.
 
Not yet, but I would of course get it vetted and scan the legs to see what the long term viability would be.
I am probably more concerned that, if I were to school it on and sell it at a later date, potential buyers would be put off. It's not an expensive horse and has definite event potential, but I just don't know enough about firing to know if it's worth a gamble....
 
I personally wouldn't touch a horse who has been pin-fired OR bar-fired.

I have one on my yard and she is definitely not right however her owners are happy with her and they don't do a whole lot so I guess it's not greatly relevant to them, but then they only paid $300 for her.
 
Thanks for your advice Kerelli and Tia - I really needed to hear from someone who knows more on this than I do!
Shame, as he's a nice big sort, but I guess my search for a new horse has to move on....
 
We had a TB on the yard which had been fired whilst in training- it later transpired that the trainer fired everything as a precaution
crazy.gif
He never went lame even with hunting but i personally wouldnt buy one
 
conversely I had an ex racehorse (reasonably successful chaser 28 K winnings) who was fired and hobdayed and went on to become a very able, if terrifyingly fast, hunter before semi retirement to hacking and RC stuff, never had a problem with his tendons. Others that had broken down and were only given a year out or other treatment you wouldn't consider to be so invasive, all broke down again, so personally I wouldn't be too concerned by firing.

That is my choice though and i know many other people would be concerned by it
 
We have a few ex polo ponies on the yard that have been pin or bar fired. They have become very useful animals that compete and have been fine. They weren't very expensive however.
 
OH's mare is bar fired and so far hasn't caused a problem.

Alot of NH trainers used to fire as precaution.

Many horses have gone on to complete/win the National after bar firing. As long as the price reflects??
 
The horse is only £1500 and yes, he had been in NH training previously. As I'm not from a racing background, I just have trouble getting my head around the idea that you would fire as a precaution!
 
My old horse had been Pin Fired. In all the time I owned him he never had a days lameness.

He was a pacer and had been fired as a precaution.

I would buy another fired horse again but obviously I would want the price to reflect it.
 
For me, it entirely depends how long ago it was done and what the horse has done since. If he was fired a few years ago and has raced since and been fine then it wouldn't put me off at all. I've known dozens that were pin or bar fired at some stage in their lives, and have been fine ever since. If it was only done recently, and the horse hadn't done anything since I would be very cautious and it would depend what I wanted the horse for and how much money it was, whether it was worth a gamble.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top