Pre vetting help please

[IrishMilo]

He needs feeding up, correct work and lots of hacking to start building muscle. He hunts very sweetly and people DO pay a premium for a sensible hunter.

But if you're not sure, talk to the seller, get a vet to look him over in person and make your decision.

£9,500 is a lot of money to spend on something you're having doubts about.

 

[VictoriaSponge]

It sounds like you really love this horse, but I don’t think you’ll find a vet willing to give a professional opinion based on the photos provided.

The general consensus on here form some very experienced people is that he likely has issues, which I personally would not take a risk on for £9.5k. I’m not sure any of us will be able to reassure you, so maybe it’s better to lose a few hundred pounds on a vetting to put him out of your mind. He may pass, or the vet decided he’s suitable for your needs at least, but better to get an opinion in the flesh from someone qualified to ease or warrant your doubts.

 

[Polos Mum]

If you are going to buy a 13 y/o recently stopped racing horse (no matter what you pay for them) then you most certainly need to register with your local specialist equine vet.

Ask the yard where you plan to keep the horse which vets they recommend in your local area. Then perhaps have a quick google / facebook at their local reputation and look at their facilities.
Then choose one, call and register with them. Then ask for an appointment with the vet and go and speak to them.

Basing the decision to spend £9.5k (unless that is the amount of spare cash your job generates most months - so you can afford to burn it ) on the opinion of strangers on the internet isn't ideal.

A full 5 stage getting with some chunky areas xrayed might cost you £1k - but that is a drop in the ocean vs. the costs of livery if your horse has to be retired aged 15 through wear and you need to keep him in livery for 10 years with food / rugs etc. appropriate for a TB.

 

[IMJS97]

I wish! No, but having bought and sold exracers I can tell you this horse is not worth 2k, and certainly not 9.5. I’m sure he’s a lovely person but there are many, many horses out there that you’ll fall in love with! I would strongly suggest turning this one down so you can find the one that’s right for you.

What makes you think he isn’t worth 2k out of interest? I totally understand where everyone’s coming from but, on the flip side:
-he raced for 13 years and was never unsound (only raced 27 times though)
-he has only been in retraining for 2 months and is already excellent. Came second in his first dressage test, safe hunter, doesn’t spook, hacks alone etc.
-is a genuinely kind horse
-0 stable vices
-deserves some downtime


I just want to hack with light schooling & some fun rides and hunts. Not anything intense.

I’m aware I’m playing devils advocate here by the way!!!

 

[IMJS97]

It sounds like you really love this horse, but I don’t think you’ll find a vet willing to give a professional opinion based on the photos provided.

The general consensus on here form some very experienced people is that he likely has issues, which I personally would not take a risk on for £9.5k. I’m not sure any of us will be able to reassure you, so maybe it’s better to lose a few hundred pounds on a vetting to put him out of your mind. He may pass, or the vet decided he’s suitable for your needs at least, but better to get an opinion in the flesh from someone qualified to ease or warrant your doubts.

I agree. Do vets really account for everything though?

 

[IMJS97]

If you are going to buy a 13 y/o recently stopped racing horse (no matter what you pay for them) then you most certainly need to register with your local specialist equine vet.

Ask the yard where you plan to keep the horse which vets they recommend in your local area. Then perhaps have a quick google / facebook at their local reputation and look at their facilities.
Then choose one, call and register with them. Then ask for an appointment with the vet and go and speak to them.

Basing the decision to spend £9.5k (unless that is the amount of spare cash your job generates most months - so you can afford to burn it ) on the opinion of strangers on the internet isn't ideal.

A full 5 stage getting with some chunky areas xrayed might cost you £1k - but that is a drop in the ocean vs. the costs of livery if your horse has to be retired aged 15 through wear and you need to keep him in livery for 10 years with food / rugs etc. appropriate for a TB.

Just to clarify to everyone, I was always going to get a 5 stage vetting done (would never not!!) but wanted to know if anyone could help with some photos prior to me paying for the vetting. X

 

[VictoriaSponge]

I agree. Do vets really account for everything though?

If you’re spending £9.5k on your first horse, absolutely they do. And that’s not to be disparaging at all, but horses can be absolutely heartbreaking.

 

[IMJS97]

If you’re spending £9.5k on your first horse, absolutely they do. And that’s not to be disparaging at all, but horses can be absolutely heartbreaking.

I totally agree. I almost just want to buy him so I can look after him and get him stronger!! Honestly he was just so so kind…

 

[mini-eventer]

Confirmation aside.

He looks in poor low muscled condition. So so often these ex racers are sweet an amenable in this condition but then get spicy once they are a correct weight and muscled. If quiet and sweet is important to you. I wouldn't take a chance on this one sorry It is highly likely he could change once he feels well.

I'd take a punt at alow price but charging 9k+ for a horse in that condition is taking the pee

Honestly you can do better

 

[HeresHoping]

With a bum like that, and that complete lack of muscle, I'd be walking away. For £9.5k, you can get something that will last you more than 2 years.

 

[IMJS97]

Confirmation aside.

He looks in poor low muscled condition. So so often these ex racers are sweet an amenable in this condition but then get spicy once they are a correct weight and muscled. If quiet and sweet is important to you. I wouldn't take a chance on this one sorry It is highly likely he could change once he feels well.

I'd take a punt at alow price but charging 9k+ for a horse in that condition is taking the pee

Honestly you can do better

I did think this. Has anyone had experience of this happening? He is being fed SO much, recently been clipped and he’s been stabled a lot due to the weather and he is still good as gold

 

[IMJS97]

thank you so much everyone!

 

[Polos Mum]

I totally agree. I almost just want to buy him so I can look after him and get him stronger!! Honestly he was just so so kind…

OK if you have your own 40 acre farm and 10 other ex racers he can have for company and an income from a trust fund so you can meet whatever vet requirements arise - please do crack on. He would love it and so would you.

If you have to work hard for your free cash and you want something to ride regularly and have fun with - then all anyone is saying is that there are much better candidates that have a higher chance of a longer working life than something which has worked so hard he "deserves some down time"

Think of them like mileage on a car. A car 4 year old car that has done 40,000 miles, was well manufactured and has full service history vs. a 4 year old car that has done 150,000 miles, no services, bald tires, and registered to a DPD delivery firm. You might be able to fix the second one up - and it might eventually be a nice car - but the first one is a lot less of a risk.

 

[VictoriaSponge]

I totally agree. I almost just want to buy him so I can look after him and get him stronger!! Honestly he was just so so kind…

I completely understand op, we’ve all had horses that we wish we could “save”. But unless
a) you are in a position to spend that amount of money and accept that you may end up with a very costly pet,
Or b) experienced with ex racers and he comes down significantly in price
I’d be walking away to avoid heartbreak along the line.

 

[Shinx]

What makes you think he isn’t worth 2k out of interest? I totally understand where everyone’s coming from but, on the flip side:
-he raced for 13 years and was never unsound (only raced 27 times though)
-he has only been in retraining for 2 months and is already excellent. Came second in his first dressage test, safe hunter, doesn’t spook, hacks alone etc.
-is a genuinely kind horse
-0 stable vices
-deserves some downtime


I just want to hack with light schooling & some fun rides and hunts. Not anything intense.

I’m aware I’m playing devils advocate here by the way!!!

Because I’ve dealt with a lot of exracers, and recently sold one. He was ten years old, sound as a pound, fantastic movement, had all lateral work and changes, and was in fit condition and had a genuinely sweet personality. He was also very flashy. I wanted 5k for him but six months later I had to reduce his price because the days of Covid when exracers were selling for that much are long gone.

If you take a look at whickr, horsemart, horse quest, and the Facebook groups, you’ll rarely see any exracer going for more than a couple thousand, no matter how many ribbons they have to their name.

So it’s not just that this boy in particular isn’t worth that much, no exracer is worth that much. That’s before you even take into account any health issues or conformational problems.

 

[IMJS97]

Because I’ve dealt with a lot of exracers, and recently sold one. He was ten years old, sound as a pound, fantastic movement, had all lateral work and changes, and was in fit condition and had a genuinely sweet personality. He was also very flashy. I wanted 5k for him but six months later I had to reduce his price because the days of Covid when exracers were selling for that much are long gone.

If you take a look at whickr, horsemart, horse quest, and the Facebook groups, you’ll rarely see any exracer going for more than a couple thousand, no matter how many ribbons they have to their name.

So it’s not just that this boy in particular isn’t worth that much, no exracer is worth that much. That’s before you even take into account any health issues or conformational problems.

I understand. If he passed his vetting, would you still feel the same?

 

[IMJS97]

OK if you have your own 40 acre farm and 10 other ex racers he can have for company and an income from a trust fund so you can meet whatever vet requirements arise - please do crack on. He would love it and so would you.

If you have to work hard for your free cash and you want something to ride regularly and have fun with - then all anyone is saying is that there are much better candidates that have a higher chance of a longer working life than something which has worked so hard he "deserves some down time"

Think of them like mileage on a car. A car 4 year old car that has done 40,000 miles, was well manufactured and has full service history vs. a 4 year old car that has done 150,000 miles, no services, bald tires, and registered to a DPD delivery firm. You might be able to fix the second one up - and it might eventually be a nice car - but the first one is a lot less of a risk.

None of the above. But thanks

 

[Shinx]

I understand. If he passed his vetting, would you still feel the same?

Yes, because my point is, they just don’t fetch those prices no matter how amazing they are.

With that budget you can get a really fantastic horse.

 

[IMJS97]

Yes, because my point is, they just don’t fetch those prices no matter how amazing they are.

With that budget you can get a really fantastic horse.

Yeah. I have been looking for weeks and weeks and can’t find anything. It seems that anything that has hunted suddenly has a dramatic price increase (all around 12k). It’s so hard! But I’ll keep looking and I’m sure I’ll be very thankful for all of your advice when I finally find the right one .

But I also think ‘what if’ I end up getting the ‘perfect’ horse (conformation wise etc) and then they become lame anyway and end up costing me a fortune. Meanwhile this horse could be out there absolutely sound.

But you just never know!

 

[nutjob]

It seems that anything that has hunted suddenly has a dramatic price increase (all around 12k).

This horse could increase your spend up to 12K easily in the first 6 months. You don't get much vet treatment for 2.5k, then there's physio, he'll be expensive to feed, may need treating for ulcers or remedial shoeing. If he does stay sound you will need regular saddle checks as he's going to change shape.

Meanwhile this horse could be out there absolutely sound.

He could be, or he could be just hanging in there for the time being. Your right, there's no guarantee anything will stay sound or won't have an injury. It's a case of trying to tip the balance more in your favour by assessing the conformation and musculature, if this has no red flags then commit to a vetting. I have a nice looking wb who passed a 2 stage at age 2 but was diagnosed as a wobbler at age 4. It costs me about £3k every year to keep him in retirement which could be for another 20 years. Now I choose to have the whole spine xray'd before parting with any money. If the horse is a low price, you are happy to keep as a pet despite the cost or can face euthanising an unsound one and buy another one there's an argument to just take your chances. If you want something to ride for a longer time and which is an experienced, safe hunter I would add what ever money you would have spent on livery to your budget and give yourself a bit more time to look. This horse has only been out of racing for a short time and has been hunting with someone who is a pro with a lot of experience with ottb. As someone else has suggested, when fed and muscled up your experience as an amateur could be very different.

 

[Shinx]

Yeah. I have been looking for weeks and weeks and can’t find anything. It seems that anything that has hunted suddenly has a dramatic price increase (all around 12k). It’s so hard! But I’ll keep looking and I’m sure I’ll be very thankful for all of your advice when I finally find the right one .

But I also think ‘what if’ I end up getting the ‘perfect’ horse (conformation wise etc) and then they become lame anyway and end up costing me a fortune. Meanwhile this horse could be out there absolutely sound.

But you just never know!

That can absolutely happen, perfect horse, perfect vetting, lame within months. Or the wonkiest looking horse on the planet is always sound.

Are you willing to travel? There are lots on the market but I don’t know where you’re based or how far of a radius you’re looking at.

 

[southerncomfort]

Yes, because my point is, they just don’t fetch those prices no matter how amazing they are.

With that budget you can get a really fantastic horse.

Or 2 Fell ponies!!

 

[Miss_Millie]

That can absolutely happen, perfect horse, perfect vetting, lame within months. Or the wonkiest looking horse on the planet is always sound.

Are you willing to travel? There are lots on the market but I don’t know where you’re based or how far of a radius you’re looking at.

Maybe OP could give us a rough radius and we could keep an eye out for them? If they feel comfortable doing so. It's so helpful to get objective opinions from strangers in a way - much less likely to get caught up in the emotional side of the process. Buying a horse is very stressful at the best of times.

 

[IMJS97]

Maybe OP could give us a rough radius and we could keep an eye out for them? If they feel comfortable doing so. It's so helpful to get objective opinions from strangers in a way - much less likely to get caught up in the emotional side of the process. Buying a horse is very stressful at the best of times.

Thank you, that’s very kind. I’m based in Surrey. I’m actually not looking for an ex racer (he just caught my eye). Ideally want a very safe horse who I can hack and do some fun rides and hunts on. A good confidence giver who doesn’t get strong or silly in open spaces etc.

16-16.3h.

A lot to ask, but there’s plenty out there as you’ve all said. I’ve been looking for ages. I did find a lovely one today who fit the bill (very healthy looking too haha!) but she is £15,000 so that’s a no. Mind blowing

 

[The Xmas Furry]

If wanting TB's, then go & have a chat with Phoenix Equestrian, just over the county border in Berkshire. They have a good handful of ex race TB's ready to move on. All being reschooled, various levels, all been out arena hire, some SJ comped etc. You'd be able to compare ones against each other and there won't be any pressure.

Take on board ycbm's comments..... then look up his race record.
I really would not be paying 9.5k for a nearly 14 yr old, but that's just me.

 

[angel7]

No, no no, no NO! Please walk away from this one.
There is no reason for a horses backend to look like this if its sound and in work and being fed.
Raced 27 times over what 10/11 years? Thats not a lot, how do you know he's been sound? Don't believe a word the yard are telling you, please check the racing history for yourself.
He's probably quiet as a lamb cos he's sore somewhere.
If you post a recent video of him moving people on here can advise, some posters have a great deal more knowledge and experience than many vets.
Look on preloved for racehorse, loads for less than 2.5K.

 

[IMJS97]

No, no no, no NO! Please walk away from this one.
There is no reason for a horses backend to look like this if its sound and in work and being fed.
Raced 27 times over what 10/11 years? Thats not a lot, how do you know he's been sound? Don't believe a word the yard are telling you, please check the racing history for yourself.
He's probably quiet as a lamb cos he's sore somewhere.
If you post a recent video of him moving people on here can advise, some posters have a great deal more knowledge and experience than many vets.
Look on preloved for racehorse, loads for less than 2.5K.

I have looked up his history. All is as said. Only one trained and owner his whole life. Quite a famous trainer in Ireland. I would post a video but his owner is in it and not really fair to do that! Thank you.

 

[Polos Mum]

If you want a "Very safe horse to do some hacking" and your budget is £9.5k - then I wouldn't look at a horse that has been in race training for a decade.

Plenty at that budget at this time of the year that would be much more suitable for your requirements.

 

[webble]

Oh OP I really feel for you, I have fallen in love with one with red flags, I had people on here look to get other opinions (secretly hoping I was wrong) they talked some sense into me and I have decided against him. Horses are great at breaking and also breaking your heart but at least set yourself up to limit that heart break

 

[IMJS97]

If you want a "Very safe horse to do some hacking" and your budget is £9.5k - then I wouldn't look at a horse that has been in race training for a decade.

Plenty at that budget at this time of the year that would be much more suitable for your requirements.

I wasn’t looking for ex racers. Just to note though, I do ride ex racehorses and my yard is all ex racers so I am well aware of what they’re like before anyone thinks I’m beyond mad!!!! I share the loveliest race horse right now. Also 13.

I’ve tried looking for months and they’re all SO expensive. Around 12-15,000. Will keep looking