Real experience with Shivers

A

ApolloStorm

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 May 2012
Messages
454
Visit site
Hi all,

Just wanting some experiences of the disease before committing to see a horse who is otherwise perfect.

Currently 13yo and still able to be shod behind, it’s only one leg, and the horse is otherwise spot on for us. Described in the advert as “mild”
I have no great competition aspirations but I would like to get my jumping confidence back so I can take my other horse out, and he would have a use as a happy hacker anyway for my partner.

The horse is appropriately priced for having a conditon. But also a) would you bother to vet? I have never bothered with previous horses, and not sure if it’s a good idea or not! b ) does anyone have any suggestions for things to do at viewing or questions to ask to get an idea of how progressed it is?

I am prepared to be told to run a mile but also happy with management and strengthening work needed.

TIA
 
I bought just that almost last year. I no longer have the horse as i discovered that he had never been officially diagnosed and once I started looking into it there was so so much going on and he deteriorated scarily fast.
I was also told he was fine to shoe behind and that was incorrect and the start of my investigating.
It cost a LOT of money and heart ache.

So, yes vet. It may be a genuine and it may be a great buy, but be very very careful. It's not a mistake I'll ever make again.
 
If the horse is demonstrating they are doing the job you need them for with a comparable rider then I’d certainly consider.

But I’d want a look at their vet history and yes I would vet in addition. There are lots of other things other than a mild shiver that might be lurking. I’d want a vet that was fairly hot on neuro presentations to do the vetting.
 
depends if this is the ONLY issue and the price reduction-are you getting a £60k horse for £20k in which case id consider it or are you get a £14k horse for £12k in which case a hard no.....
 
run away, is it shivers or something else?! I know one that was BE eventing that was sold with shivers for a lot less money but it turned out it wasn’t shivers and is a muscular degenerative condition and is now retired as she cannot cope with regular work or even occasional hacking now
 
Mild shivers progressing slowly I would take a punt on if cheap. Otherwise it is heartache.

My last one was free but ended up pts when he no longer would lie down in the field, he got down to roll but never to rest.
 
Isn't shivers neurological damage? Id never knowingly buy one or even ride one tbh. But my previous horse was put down for neck arthritis which impinged on her nerves so I'm damaged goods! Too much heartache
 
I bought a 10 year old hunter with shivers. Never had a problem, he was unshod behind and still sound in his 20's.
He was diagnosed as mild by a USA research project using video etc. So I think it depends, I was lucky!
 
It’s the kind of horse that I can’t find for less than 8k going for 3k ono so a fair reduction for the conditon.
I’m leaning to that it might be worth going to see to at least how progressed it is for myself
 
I have one, a big 16.3 OTTB, with reasonably mild shivers. I got him free as a just turned 6yo (he wasn't strictly free because of the shivers, he'd been turned out since coming off the track and had degloved a leg) and he is now rising 13. I've never shod him behind as he doesn't need it but he has merrily carried little amateur me to 95cm eventing and is schooling Medium dressage.

He doesn't have any issues backing up, will occasionally make odd movements behind in walk after standing for a long period. From my memory, when I was looking into it, there were specific clinical types that separated out hyperflexion and hyperextension (where they have issues backing up).
 
I used to ride a dressage horse with shivers for someone, it felt alright to ride but I always felt it wasn't normal mentally (although that could be unrelated). It was a nightmare for the farrier and I would never have hacked it as it could barely coordinate walking down a step out of the stable so I doubt it would have managed on any bumpy terrain. A really important thing to bear in mind is that whilst it may be okay now, the majority of horses with shivers decline
 
Barklands said:
I used to ride a dressage horse with shivers for someone, it felt alright to ride but I always felt it wasn't normal mentally (although that could be unrelated). It was a nightmare for the farrier and I would never have hacked it as it could barely coordinate walking down a step out of the stable so I doubt it would have managed on any bumpy terrain. A really important thing to bear in mind is that whilst it may be okay now, the majority of horses with shivers decline
Click to expand...
Please don’t call a horse it 🙁
 
bonny said:
Please don’t call a horse it 🙁
Click to expand...
HE :rolleyes:

Mine and others I have ridden are almost always affectionately referred to as "it", as I cycle 20 different names before I remember the right one (same issue with referring to family members!) let alone getting the gender right. Doesn't mean I love them any less!
 
My friend bought one with shivers and she’s had him 8yrs now. She’s jumped a fair bit and done some dressage as well as lots of hacking. He’s been pretty manageable and she’s had plenty of enjoyment from him but she did take his back shoes off and now uses hoof boots.
 
We bought a mild shiverer for our daughter in 2010 and still have him now in his 20s. He has been an amazing horse, eventing up to 2 star, qualifying for and being placed at lots of PC, RC, BE and NSEA championships as well as being a fantastic hunter. He has now retired from competition but is still enjoying hacking out. He is shod all round but is not the easiest to shoe behind. We keep him living out as much as possible as that seems to help the shiver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top