Selling a horse with a long term medical condition

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beth182

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Hi I've been recently looking into selling my horse as im struggling for time and money for him. I just wanted some information about selling a horse with a medical condition. Zack is a section d and has Cushing's (treated simply by half a precend tablet every day and a yearly blood test.). He had laminitis around 3 years ago due to the undiagnosed Cushing's but has had no problems or lameness since the Cushing's has been treated. I just wanted to know if anyone would consider buying a horse with a long term medical condition or if anyone has sold one. Thank you so much any help or advice is appreciated 😊
 
No to both, I never would sell one and I never would buy one. I think he is worthless financially, I am afraid. You could perhaps loan him out if you agreed to cover all medical costs related to his cushings.
 
Got to agree with Clodagh. I know of several Cushings horses/ponies who have been loaned out, usually with the owner paying for the Prascend, but people are far more wary about actually buying such a horse. Obviously your chances of finding a buyer increase if the horse has lots of other desirable qualities - ie 100% bombproof, amazing competition record etc., but even then the price is likely to be much lower than the equivalent 'healthy' horse.
 
I think the only way you would sell such a horse is if he was otherwise pretty damn perfect.

I own a horse with cushings and other complications who is out on full loan, it was very difficult to find the right place for him, think it took 3 months if constant advertising before the right person (rather than the millions of daydreamers) to come along. I cover all veterinary costs associated
 
I loan a charity pony with very mild cushings. It's not treated as he didn't get on well with the precsand tablets apparently and as the only ever symptom is hairiness he's best without.
It didn't bother me taking him on on loan but no I'd not have bought him.
If you can find the right loan home you can also keep an eye on him and have a final say if circumstances change. I'd not sell him no.
 
I also have to agree with the others I wouldn't buy one or sell one, how about getting a few sharers for him or loan him to someone local so you can keep an eye on him.
 
Funnily enough, i was thinking about this today as we're after an older companion next year. I couldn't really decide either way.
I guess it depends what he's like. Is he safe, bombproof? Good to handle? It might be best to full loan him and cover to medication costs yourself.
 
I agree with those saying he has little chance of selling and that long term loan may be a better but not always the easy option, this is going to be more of an issue soon with so many being diagnosed with cushings at a younger age from all these free tests available that means as soon as one symptom shows up a test is done, it may be that not everyone will be put off if he does a job for them.

In the great scheme of things buying horses is such a lottery I think if I were looking for an older horse then I would rather a horse with cushings than one with an undisclosed issue that may have more serious, and expensive, implications.
 
I wouldn't buy or sell either and agree a loan may be better, though it's a hassle. It's a progressive disease even medicated, and having had 3 of them in the past it's not something I want to deal with again if possible. I would however take one on as a loan companion, if the owner was happy to cover veterinary costs.
 
There's no way I would ever buy a horse with Cushings who has had lami
If he's for instance a perfect hack or perhaps someone who has another horse who needs a companion and they had similar management needs you may be able to loan him out and pay the medical bills .
 
A few years ago I sold a very nice 4yo with a fourth branchial arch defect - obviously with full disclosure and at a very reduced price - and to someone I knew. It's worked well - because she gives him the care and consideration he needs. But finding the right person is hardest - whether for sale or loan.
 
No, I wouldn't buy a horse with cushings, even on half a tab a day and if it had had an attack of laminitis, I'd think twice about loaning as even on prascend it would need careful management. I'm sorry to be so negative but I have a lovely retired TB with cushings, to date he's not had laminitis but he does cost me a small fortune to keep fit and healthy. He was in full work for several years with cushings and gave me and several other riders a lot of pleasure. I don't begrudge a single penny of it as I've had him a long time and he's given me a lot but I wouldn't go out and buy him.
 
No, I would not sell, and no I would not buy. The market is saturated with horses at the moment, a lot without any issues at all. I'm sorry but I treat my animals the same as a marriage "for better or for worse". I am a great believer in quality over quantity. There are no guarantees with selling, it could all be "hunky dory" for a while, but things change. I am too much of a control freak to let a vulnerable animal out of my sight.
 
Thank you i really appriciate your honest answers. He's my first horse so never done anything like this before. He's 14 now and was diagnosed with Cushing's at 11. So loaning him is probably looking the best option if i can find the right person. He's certainly not 100% in every other way haha. He's not bad bless him but can be spooky and strong willed when it suits him. So those of you that mentioned the full loan, does the loaner cover the livery feed etc but I would cover medication vets insurance, that kind of thing? Thank you again i need honest answers so don't feel bad x
 
I've had two ponies out on loan with cushings, one is still alive the other died last year.

They are/were both fantastic schoolmasters, and worth their weight in gold basically, so the families were more than happy to cover the cost of the prascend and everything else in their day to day care including any vets bills.
 
having owned a horse with cushings i would never consider one to buy or loan even if it was absolutely perfect...apart from the cost of the tablets, its making sure they have the required amount every day, and knowing that it is progressive...i couldnt go through that again
 
beth182 said:
Thank you i really appriciate your honest answers. He's my first horse so never done anything like this before. He's 14 now and was diagnosed with Cushing's at 11. So loaning him is probably looking the best option if i can find the right person. He's certainly not 100% in every other way haha. He's not bad bless him but can be spooky and strong willed when it suits him. So those of you that mentioned the full loan, does the loaner cover the livery feed etc but I would cover medication vets insurance, that kind of thing? Thank you again i need honest answers so don't feel bad x
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Yes that is right. The loaner treats the horse as their own, within your set limits, and you probably insure him and pay for meds related to the cushings. IMO loaner should pay for all other vets bills.
 
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