Potential horsr can't be stabled for 2 stage vetting... Help!!

muckypony

muckypony

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Ahhh so all of the vets I have spoken to won't vet my potential new horse without him beint stabled a few hours before. There is no stable/shelter nothing where he is kept so it's not possible....

So I think I have two options... I could just risk it and not get him vetted (not hugely keen) or I could buy him, bring him home and get my vet to do it then. I know sounds totally pointless but I really dont think he will fail because its such a simple check (except possibly on SI) and I've trotted him up and hes totally sound. I know that if I bought him and he failed on something major his owner would have him back in a heartbeat.

I'm just so stuck on what to do, I would never usually buy without a vetting.

I need some HHO wisdom!!
 
Or you could ask his owner if there is someone locally who would lend a stable and facilities for half a day.
 
He's about 120 miles away!

The owner has only recently moved to the area and literally knows the people where it is currently stabled... I don't think the situation could possibly be more difficult! :(
 
So you ask nicely on the relevant regional board if there is anyone willing to help out:)

Given your possible option of picking him up vetting and returning if there's a problem the saving in travel costs if there is a problem would allow a healthy donation to someone will to help!
 
I had thought of that but with a newborn baby and no transport I think it would be a lot to ask the vendor to do...

Would I be stupid to get him and have him vetted here?
 
Why does he need a stable? Pretty sure you can vet a horse without a requirement for a stable. It can't be that unusual? All you need the stable for would be an eyes check isn't it? If you just wanted a 2 or 3 stage vetting then I would have thought a stable wasn't necessary really.
 
ladyt25 said:
Why does he need a stable? Pretty sure you can vet a horse without a requirement for a stable. It can't be that unusual? All you need the stable for would be an eyes check isn't it? If you just wanted a 2 or 3 stage vetting then I would have thought a stable wasn't necessary really.
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This is exactly what I thought I've never known a 2 stage needed a stable but I've phoned the majority of vets in the area and all have said that he needs to be stabled for a few hours before and also to check his eyes.

For the amount I am paying for him I'm not sure I should be making such a big deal out of it - its pittance really.

A few friends I've spoken to about it have said just buy him , it would be different if he was a substantial amount of money but he isn't...
 
I don't get it to be honest - what if said horse had never been in a stable in it's life? You wouldn't then bung it in one. I would maybe say you just want it's heart and soundness looked at. I would have thought a knowledgeable vet would be able to give you an idea on it's overall suitability without having to put it in a stable. I don't quite get what they're looking for.
 
Sounds a bit odd from the vet - maybe call and clarify what the problem is, and what they could do as a partial vetting (if e.g. the eyes can't be checked) if there is such a thing as a partial vetting? Ask what they can do without the stable, but can't believe it's impossible to vet a horse unless they are stabled. I'd explore further with vets.

A cheap horse is just as expensive to treat/look after as an expensive one, so I wouldn't take the risk just because of the purchase price.

Alternatively, put down a deposit, subject only to passing a vetting, take him home and then get it done.
 
I'd call the vets back and see if any of them would come out to do a basic heart and trot up MOT check not call it a full 2 stage. Get them to tell you what they can do if the horse doesn't have a stable.

He might only be a pitance but if he's got a heart murmer or is blind in one eye it' still a heartbreak for you if you find out further down the line.

I'd be wary of bringing him to you before he is yours, cost of transporting him 120 miles and what if he was injured traveling or in the couple of hours he's at yours - would you insure him or just pick up he tab?
 
We never vet ours.. mine has had a 5 stage but only because some people were gonna buy her! :p
Passed everything too, was good to know.

Anyway, if he's up for a pittance OP, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I don't get it either, never heard of it before! Its not just one vet either its several!

I totally understand about the expense of vet bills etc... I just think I'd always regret not having him because I can't have him vetted there.
 
i would ask the vet what they cannot do without a stable, surely most checks do not require one? i have known many horses 2 stage vetted as far as i know in a field only. if it just means they can't do one of the checks but can do everything else it is presumably still worth it? i would call local livery yards where the horse is to see if you can hire a spare box for the day maybe
 
I'm only guessing but maybe for a formal vetting that would be accepted for insurance purposes they have to comply with certain rules such as stabling beforehand etc. If you don't need a formal vetting pass for insurance you could maybe just ask for a general health and soundness check which they should be able to do without a stable bar the eye check.
 
Or draw up small contract that is buy subject to vetting. In it you agree to conduct vetting (say within a week of horses arrival), & if he fails you can return him & get refund minus deposit. If you're not paying much for him does it need to be propoer vetting? General MOT suggestion perfectly good idea. None of the horses I have bought have been expensive (biggest purchase £1000 for a just backed 4 yr old), & none have been vetted. Having said that I've always bought from people I know, or are involved in same sport as me & have a very good honest reputation. That's the best guarentee you can have. If you know these people & they are decent, why not take a punt? Don't understand why there is a problem when you know owner would have him back. Isn't that telling you they believe in the pony?
 
That's a strange one - my horse was dragged straight out of the field for a 5 stage vetting. Although they did require that she was shod which slowed the whole process down!
 
How about just contacting a local livery yard yourself and enquiring if you can hire a stable for a day? Ive had a friend who used to compete far from home and stable her horse with local yards
 
Do none of the vets have facilities you could take him to then take home if passes?

I'd just risk it or get them to as much as they could without a stable.
 
I've not heard of any vet requiring a horse to be stabled for a few hours prior to a vetting. A stable or a shed which can be darkened is required for any vetting, the vet cannot carry out an eye examination with an opthalmoscope unless the area is dark.
 
The only horses I ever have vetted are ones that I am buying unseen from hundreds/thousands of miles away and only because they are pretty spendy horses. I've never had one I've viewed vetted by a vet, I do all that myself. No help to you but just letting you know what I do.
 
Afaik it is normal for them to ask for it to be stabled prior to vetting for soundness checking. Unfortunately of all the things I would want checking eyes would definitely be on the list which does require a dark area. I definitely wouldn't want to take the horse 120 miles home to have it vetted with the chance it might fail and have to do the drive back again so would find a vets with stabling ideally so they can do it there (easier than arranging with other yard owners etc).
 
As far as I'm aware it's for eyesight testing, I think also it will show up any stiffness issues that wouldn't be apparent if it was done straight out of the field?
 
The vets probably do but the vendor can't get him there.

After a lot of umming and aahing I've decided to take the risk and buy him. His current vet (has been his vet for a while as they had a branch where she used to live) have confirmed that he has onlt ever had a vet out for vaccinations and gelding, I know it doesn't rule out any lameness etc but at least I know that hes not had any veterinary treatment.

The owner has said that if I want him vetted when I bring him home if I do it sooner rather than later she would have him back as would still have somewhere for him to go.

I am picking him up on Wednesday - fingers crossed I have many happy days with him! :D
 
Why don't you get the vet to meet you there on Wednesday and they could do the eyesight test in your horsebox? a quick listern to his heart etc. Lamness is one thing but the current owner might not even be aware of a heart problem.

If you've gone to the trouble of driving there to collect him another £60/80 for 20 mins of the vets time might be worth it.

Owners can change their minds quite quickly once cash is in their pockets.
 
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