Opinions on this horse please

Gaz_Lincs

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Hi everyone im new here - this horse is one that i may be buying. I have seen him twice and really like him.

He is around 16hh and 2-3 years old.

However, someone on another forum said that they think his back is roached. I thought id get some opinions on this forum as you can never have too many opinions when buying a new horse.

Thanks.

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Hi and welcome!! Lovely horse!! I wouldn't say his back is horrifically roach. I had a TB that had a worse roach back than that. Are you worried about saddle fitting? Being young he could grow out of it, but he may not.
Can I ask how much they are asking for him?

Thank you for the welcome.

They are asking £1500 for him.
 
bit tricky to see from the pics, but his back doesn't look quite right. Do you have pics of him when younger? Might be easier to tell if he might grow out of it if you could see what he used to look like? Even if it doesn't affect him, it could give you saddle fitting probs (his back does seem v flat?). Sort of comes down to what you would be hoping to do with him and the £ they would be after. Not sure how much value a 5 stage vetting would be as he is not under saddle currently and I am assuming you would be after riding - as he is not currently in the level of work that you might want him for then it gets tricky for a vet to suggest if he would be able to take that level of work. Would show up any major issues though at least that his confo might cause. Do you have an experienced friend or riding instructor you could take with you for a second opinion in the flesh?
 
I do have experienced people around me so im lucky in that respect.

If it helps - he isnt up to weight and is a bit ribby so his spine might be showing a bit more than usual, as he has no topline, etc...

Also he is stood on a hill as thats where their grazing is.
 
No expert I'm afraid and its prob the pics but his wither looks too far back which would mean that the saddle would be too far back too, he also doesn't look very long through the back either so the saddle might actually be on his backside!

My understanding of a roach back is that its concave rather than convex, which your chap doesn't seem to have...

I hate to say it but as you asked for opinions I'd say to pass on this one.. It depends on what you'd ant to do with him but with a poor back conformation like that I doubt he'd be much more than a hack (I could be wrong of course) £1500 seems a lot of money for him tho...
 
Depends on what you want to do with him.
Hacking and maybe low level competing would probably be fine, but anything huge *may* be a problem. He may grow out of it though.
Do think they are asking a little much for him, maybe worth it if you can haggle?
 
Personally I would get a vet to look at him asap if you are really keen. He does look a tad on the poor side, but if the vet gives the all clear on his back then I would snap him up, he's gorgeous! Just look at that kind face :)
 
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Thanks for the feedback and opinions.

Id rather not haggle on a horse that has a problem, id rather just leave it to be honest.

No point in buying a horse with a potential problem, just because it is a bartering tool so to speak.
 
I think you've got that the wrong way round ;-) roach is convex, meaning raised/bulging out, & concave is dipped (which would be a sway back by the way)

lol - your quite right.. having a dippy day I think! ;)

Think your right Gaz, for your £1500 you could buy something without any potential problems, good luck with your search, there's a lot of real bargains about at the moment!
 
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