Pony failed vet flexion test

G

greendave

New User
Joined
3 June 2008
Messages
6
Visit site
I am selling a really competitive pony we have had for 7 years, who has never been lame or had any ailment and the vet just failed him on a near-hind flexion test. The vet lifted his hind leg to the point of almost lifting him off the ground, held it for about 2 mins till he struggled and then had me trot him away immediately and said he was lame for about 10 strides.

The buyer stopped the vetting and is despondent, I am gutted because we want the pony to have a good home where he will be competed (outgrown here).

He was doing mounted games last weekend with no problems at all and is the current local champion for the last 2 years.

Any advice on what I can do now this vet has failed him on this flexion test?
 
There was a post about this the other day.
A lot of horses will fail a flexion test and there is a debate as to whether or not they have a place in a vetting.
If I was a buyer and this had happened to me I'd like to think I'd look at the bigger picture and if it passed the rest of the vetting and all other boxes were ticked I'd be open minded about it.
As for what you do now, I would inform any potential purchasers of what has happened and let them make an informed decision.
 
Exact same thing happened to a client of mine. She immediately got her own vet out (she was worried pony WAS lame!) and the vet tested it for over an hour and couldn't MAKE it go lame! Maybe get your own vet out to check it over. If they say it's sound maybe that will be enough for them to get another vet to revet it?
 
i heard a statistic that only 1 in 5 pass the flexion test a mare i sold also failed the flexion test on 1 hind leg although she was 13. i had to drop the price but it didn;t put the next purchaser off as she spoke to the vet and when asked what she wanted to do with the horse she was told by the vet that for the puspose she wanted the horse for she was 'fit for purpose'

if you think the vet which viewed the horse did an unfair flexion then i would have asked the vet to have redone the test on that leg. the next purchasers vet of choice could a perform a flexion test and you pony be fine if the first vet was too tough on your pony the vet which perfoms the flexion test has a bearing on the result in my opinion.
 
The soundest of horses can fail a flexion test. Unsurprisingly. It wouldn't put me off if everything else was ok.

Advise any other viewers what has happened and have your own vet look at the pony.
 
If the pony was mine I would have my vet out to re-examine and figure out what is going on. If the pony is sound on re-examination, I would put it down to a bad day - unfortunately these things happen. If the pony is still lame I would investigate further, at least if you know what it is you can adjust the price and warn potential buyers.
 
Thanks for all the advice - the vet was working for the buyer and we have had this pony since he was 6 and he is now 13. He is a dartmoor and has always been the dependable pony who is just always there for you, ready for anything.

I'm shocked by the number of horses/ponies who seem to be failing these flexion tests without any apparent lameness or pain in their normal riding.

A friend with vast experience just told me a spavin problem that only shows in a flexion test just cures itself by 2 small bones 'fusing' and he will probably pass a flexion test in a few weeks! Shame because the buyer seemed to be offering a great home with a really good young rider.
 
A friend with vast experience just told me a spavin problem that only shows in a flexion test just cures itself by 2 small bones 'fusing' and he will probably pass a flexion test in a few weeks!
Click to expand...

Wow, wish spavins were that easy to clear up.............
 
Id strongly recommend getting your own vet out to look at the pony today.... You may be able to salvage the sale...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top