PSSM1 and ploddy

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sollimum

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I am deep diving PSSM1 at the moment, as I have found a cob that I really love. He is quite ploddy and also young, so that could be for a number of reasons and the owners have agreed to a PSSM1 hair follicle test. Anyhow, I am just wondering if lack of oomph is a common symptom. He is going to be 5 stage vetted too. Is PSSM common for traditional cobs?
 
SEL said:
Yes very common in cobs and yes plodding / napping / exercise intolerance is a symptom
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Thank you. I viewed him last week and then didn't think about it until I had got home, so they are sending me some hair to do the test. He does go forward and has been schooled but there is something I can't put my finger on. I am thinking that if he does, then I will still buy him and manage him potentially - will have to think on that.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Wise to get him tested, but being of a suspicious nature I’d be wanting to pull the mane hair out myself to ensure that the sample sent off for testing is indeed taken from the horse that you are interested in.
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Thank you, that did run through my mind but then I thought it is very strong cobby hair, so if they plucked from another cob, that might not work out too well either.
 
Honestly, Id be surprised if he doesnt have PSSM. I know exactly the feeling you are describing. I would def make sure you pull the hair yourself. Id probably just walk away though.
 
might he just be unfit? loads of horses have not been in full work with this awful winter. 3 times a week to maintain fitness, 4 times to build.. my best efforts have managed max 2x a week since nov...

My girl was tested for type 1 (by breeder), negative. but will still become ploddy / a bit of napping when building fitness up after time off. a different horse come spring. get a saddle check too, they change shape through winter losing all their summer plumpness

I'd also be having a feel of their lower legs for clean hocks, as CPL is another thing to watch for, you can talk yourself out of any purchase, if you like him and he passes a stage 2 vet/ whatever vetting you're comfortable with then great. its all just management & if it doesnt work out for you just sell on.. When I was looking I talked myself out of numerous good horses worrying about a misstep here, lump there. said horses are doing great with other local riders!
 
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I wouldn't touch anything with PSSM1, it is a horrible thing to put them through - and definitely check for CPL folds down the lower legs. The P in CPL stands for Progressive, and it is another thing that is a nightmare to manage (my rescue coblet has just about everything wrong with him that a cob can have so speaking from personal experience).
 
Thanks all. I have my veteran retired cob, so I did check this young cob for CPL and his legs are good. He is very shutdown and my old lad was the same when I bought him as a youngster. They seem to go through a lot in Ireland and it takes time for the real personality to peep through. He is a super cob and I think we could be a good match but if would be good to know if he has this in advance. I guess if he does it would have to be reflected in his price.
 
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Cobs are slow to bring on compared to more athletic breeds! Got told my cob didnt hack solo, reared in hand in no good in the arena and was "just a hacker" rising 4. She now does low level jumping, hacks out solo and weve done dressage in hand showing etc.. They are the effort you put in. fingers crossed he comes back clear
 
My cob is very, very ploddy. He will occasionally have a moment, but his walk is painfully slow. He is heterozygous PSSM1, was tested age 7 after a year of really struggling to get him going, but has shown every symptom except a full tie up, but in hind sight he has had tie up symptoms (repeated stops for no apparent reason, completely dead to the leg - you could thrash him if you were that sort and he'd still wind to a halt if he was symptomatic). I gave up on schooling - it's simply not worth it and I do enough on hacks. He is excellent at things like horse agility (if you're not bothered about speed!), but it's not often we can get a good canter even on the trail. During dry weather when the grass is consistent, that's when he's motoring, as it's much easier to control. He's 11 in May and although I probably wouldn't get another, he is a very sweet boy and is in great demand for accompanying tricky youngsters/spicy adult horses on hacks.
 
I had a jumping pony who was pssm (1 and 2 - joyful!). She had to be in constant fast work or she deteriorated and she did not make old bones - was unable to keep up the work needed into her late teens. Was the absolute best pony up to that point though, with a fantastic, kind temperament. It’s weird now not having to ride in all weathers, ensuring she gets her 20min of raised heart beat a day!
 
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