potential heart problems

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HGK

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I had a horse vetted and the vet diagnosed an irregular heartbeat at rest with intermittent heart block and reduced interval - reverts to normal rhythm after exercise. Also, grade 1/5 systolic heart murmur. The vet thinks the horse suitable for eventing but says there is a 1/10 chance of future problems. The insurance company will not cover any future heart issues? I would love to buy this horse but are worried and not sure I understand what I am undertaking. Does anyone have any advise / similar experience?
 
Mine was diagnosed with the same when vetted but I still went ahead and brought him, that was 6 years ago and it has never given him (or me) a problem. It is not covered by insurance but that is a chance you take.

My boy has done dressage, XC and hunter trials so I would say if you want him go for it and put it out of your mind. :)
 
If the irregularity/droping of beats ceases at exercise/ when HR increases, it is 2nd degree AV block which I would not consider to be an abnormal finding in a fit horse. Equally, a high proportion of people wouldn't even be able to hear a grade 1/6 murmur, and they are extremely unlikely to be of any clinical relevance, and some types can be associated with fitness rather than heart abnormality.

I would say that a 1 in 10 chance of it becoming a problem is probably overstating the risk. In short it wouldn't put me off the horse, and you may find that if you get a second opinion from a specialist, it's possible thay the heart exclusion would be removed.
 
That's a shame. Those findings really aren't clinical problems and to my mind don't indicate that the horse is more likely than any other to have a heart problem. I would hassle them at every renewal to reconsider, and ask them to run it past their veterinary advisor.
 
HGK said:
Thanks for the advise - checked with the insurers again and they will not cover!
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I would have thought that they would have to cover the horse if you or the current owner had an echocardiogram to rule out any structural abnormalities with the heart? That would give you peace of mind as well.
 
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