Pony Purchase

[FMM]

A friend of mine is buying quite an expensive pony for their daughter. The pony was due to be vetted this week, and the people selling the pony called to say that the pony had a touch of colic and therefore they wanted to wait a few days so that the vetting could be done when the pony was better. The pony had not at any stage been unable to poo, and I believe that he had simply looked a little unhappy, pawed the ground and was a little depressed in outlook. They called the vet who gave the pony an injection (as the people who owned him did not live on site and the vet wanted to make sure there was no problem). The pony now seems back to normal. My question is (being that I have had no dealings with colicy horses or ponies) they say that the pony had never had colic before to their knowledge (they have had him for 4 years). Would the pony now be more prone to getting colic? It sounds like most people would not have even realised the pony was coming down with something - it really sounded like a very mild attack.

Should they still go ahead with the purchase and just make sure that the pony is not kept out for too long (he had been out for much longer than normal due to unforeseen circumstances).

Any ideas?

 

[measles]

It wouldn't bother me if I was entirely sure that the story was true. I'm always suspicious, perhaps too much so, of sudden things happening to horses and ponies when they are due to be vetted. That said, I've had the odd thing happen to mine in those circumstances - horses do sometimes choose rotten timing to do things to themselves!

Good luck to your friend.

 

[rara007]

mmm not sure , seem very strange that the pony is ill on day of vetting but never any other time.

Haz

 

[wizzi901]

sounds reasonable, I have often had titch given a jab when he is showing signs of colic as otherwise he always gets worse, sometimes he could probs get away without but better safe than sorry.

Best thing to do is ask to see veterinary records of pony from their vet if they are worried?

Some will be prone to it, he may never colic again!?

 

[Tia]

I wouldn't read too much into myself to be honest. Horses are notorious for coming down with something or other the minute you decide to sell them. If I had a penny for every time a horse went and cut itself, was under the weather or came up lame, very often for the first time ever; just as the horse is put on the market.....then I'd be a rich lady.

I would not let this put me off in the slightest and had I been the owners I would also not have allowed the vetting to go on that day.