really upset - have I done the right thing?

[Serephin]

I recently posted about flexion tests and the horse I had vetted failed both flexions on both front legs - he is a 9 year old, so the vet was quite surprised that he failed at that age. Bearing in mind he is only turned out from 10am to 3pm every day including summer and only does light hacking - I wonder if this could of affected the results.

anyhow - after much deliberation and owner reducing the price due to the vetting results, I have done what is widely considered the sensible thing by everyone I have spoken to and declined to buy the horse.

if this is the right thing to do, why do I feel so sad?

 

[Apalacia01]

But probably yes.....both front legs....

Flexion tests can be problematic, but having had it done, and both legs....

Did the vet do it hard? Second opinion if it is really bugging you. Depends how much you liked the horse, and how much the price was reduced really.

Shame really.

 

[JS65]

Because you had obviously set your heart on him.
There are many good horses out there, and he will find a good home with someone who is happy to accept his faults.
Look at it as a good thing, you had him vetted and did all the right things, so when you find your perfect horse you will know it was the right thing to do.
xx

 

[Holloa]

Completely understand where you're coming from as i went through this on thursday and was posting on here asking advice too. i have also walked away from the purchase and i was really tearful thurs/friday as i really really loved this horse, but ... obviously not meant to be.... :-(

i'm on the search again.... its really tough. You're not alone going through this....!

 

[BritishBred]

I was in the same situation with a horse i really liked and she failed on a flexion test i decided not to buy her although it upset me because i thought she was the one! A few months after i had her vetted she went lame

But i found a lovely horse so there will be one out there just keep your chin up

 

[Serephin]

thanks everyone - it is comforting to know I am not alone, although its not nice to wish this feeling on anyone!

I have been looking for what seems ages (since Nov last year) and was so happy to have found the 'one'

I know my perfect horse is out there, I just can't find it!

 

[Butterbean]

It is hard, I really sympathise, same sort of thing happened to me, found a fantastic horse that seemed perfect, had 5 stage vetting & x rays on advice of the vet; it would have passed the 5 stage but failed on x rays as vet wasn't 100% sure whether could be showing early signs of navicular (though it could also be its normal bone formation) ... I didn't go through with it but still now think what if? ... it really was super. I just decided to take no chances and go with the vet advice.

 

[Happytohack]

I think it depends on what you want to do with the horse. Flexion tests are a very grey area. Personally, I would never discount a horse that failed a flexion test. But then I am mainly a happy hacker

To give you an example, Ella ( the big black mare in my signature) went lame last year - my vet gave her a flexion test which she passed, but subsequent xrays showed she has arthritis of the coffin joint... At the end of the day, it is your decision.

 

[sevenoceans]

I do feel for you. It''s a difficult decision. But i promise you there is a horse out there for you.

My old mare failed her flexion tests prior me selling her on so i can move on to affliated eventing. i was gutted but in the end i kept her as pet. She is now up there running free. The Xrays revealed that she had onset navicular disease but she was never lame though, as we caught it early enough we were able to correct her feet and and gave her treatments.