Shivers? Potential New Horse

epeters91

epeters91

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 May 2015
Messages
450
Location
North Wales
Visit site
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a young warmblood gelding rising 4 but his owner has explained to me 'He has a slight shiver in one hind leg which is not deteriorating and does not affect his movement or work. He is completely sound.' From what I've read up on shivers it is normally a progressive disease but some horses live with mild cases and are capable of jumping. This horse is advertised as potential BSJA not that I've ever competed affiliated before but I'd like to know what kind of limitations the horse is likely to have because of the shivers?

Does anyone have any experience of this disease?

Obviously I would get him vetted and seek a vets opinion before buying but at the moment I'm in the very early stages of browsing and think he looks a sweet lad who would fit in well with my herd :)
 
We bought a horse with a mild shiver. Bought him as a six year old, he will be thirteen this year. It hasn't deteriorated at all in that time and hasn't stopped him hunting or eventing - he is regularly placed top 5 at BE100 and BE Novice. The main problem is it makes him difficult to shoe behind - thankfully hubby is a farrier and has got the hang of him now.
 
I saw the advert
The horse is obviously going to be cheap, but depending on the job you want him for and your attitude to risk I wouldn't rule him out.

The horse obviously isn't proven in any level of work to stay sound.
If I were taking on such a horse I'd get a vet check anyway (to rule out more sinister limb or neuro possibilities), I'd keep it unshod behind and on an oil based diet.
 
Historically I've not jumped much so I'd be looking to do the odd cross country, fun ride maybe a bit of show jumping depending on how his leg is. I was thinking of checking with others for their experience, speaking with the owners vets and mine and arranging a vetting definitely. I hadn't heard of shivers before I have a mare with locking stifle and it sounds similar to when she has a locking episode. If I go to view him I'd like to see him loose in three paces and possibly over a jump as they've mentioned he's been loose jumped. I'd quite like to see him tacked up and ride on board if possible. as you say he'll be cheap but there is risk and he'll need a good vetting.
 
After having to have my boy pts last month due to the rapid degeneration of his shivers i wouldn't advise anyone to buy a horse with the condition. I had Fabio for over 8 years but the last year it deteriorated very quickly. Its utterly heartbreaking to watch them so frustrated, particularly when there is no cure and not much in the way of being able to help - and we were doing everything. We had an all weather turnout pen built for bad weather so he could still stay turned out and not have to be stabled, was on high dose vitamin e, low starch low sugar diet....pretty much everything recommended for shivers horses.

It's a ticking time bomb as there is no set time for the degenoration, it can start to go downhill at any point and degeneration can be rapid.

Would i change having Fabio? Not in a million years.....but would i buy another horse with shivers? Not in a million years!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top