Should a 5 stage vetting pick up back issues

[Mrs C]

As per the title really! Should I expect a 5 stage to tell me if back issues? Thanks

 

[Jellymoon]

In theory, yes, in reality, not necessarily. If you are concerned about it, you can ask the vet to have a really good look at it and the hind limbs for any signs of a back issue.

 

[Bernster]

Not necessarily and they don’t x ray or do any invasive checks so wouldn’t be a diagnostic tool.

 

[AmyMay]

Not necessarily and they don’t x ray or do any invasive checks so wouldn’t be a diagnostic tool.

This.

 

[Birker2020]

I have sent you a PM

 

[Mrs C]

Thanks all, appreciate responses and Birker2020 thanks for your PM x

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

It never has on the horses I’ve had vetted. I’m not sure it is fit for purpose anymore.

 

[Melody Grey]

Only if they are visible to the eye or through palpating the back. Even then it will be commented on as ‘sensitivity’ and wouldn’t specifically identify a problem- could be anything from a bit of tension from a saddle that needs adjusting to goodness knows.

I took OH’s ‘not lame’ cob for a loss of performance work up- no reaction at all on palpitation, but diagnosed with clinically significant KS on x-ray and nerve blocking......yet, I sure he’d have passed the vet!

I hope your query leads to nothing significant OP.

 

[Bernster]

Aye, and then if horse has a slightly sore back from a saddle, you get ks and si excluded from your insurance. Hmff.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Aye, and then if horse has a slightly sore back from a saddle, you get ks and si excluded from your insurance. Hmff.

You should contest that they will try and get away with this kind of thing and hope people just suffer it and a lot of the time people just accept its right.

I have contested a few things on my policy and they have been reinstated.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think unless you have back x rays there is no real way to be sure.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If I was buying again, this is why I'd prefer it if my chiro vet would check the horse out for me first. Unfortunately she no longer does vettings, though.

Getting cover to do vettings would also bump up her professional insurance premium by a fair bit, apparently.

 

[Widgeon]

diagnosed with clinically significant KS on x-ray and nerve blocking......yet, I sure he’d have passed the vet!

I bought a pony who I now suspect may have KS; he passed a vet. I don't blame the vet - the pony appeared fine for several weeks after purchase but deteriorated once in even semi-regular work. I had him checked by the physio and he didn't didn't find anything either. As he was my first horse I believed this meant his back was ok and it was a behavioural problem. I sold him for very little to a trusted friend on the understanding that if she could turn him round she would find him a suitable home. The issues didn't resolve and on further investigation she concluded he likely had something physically wrong with his back that only became apparent once in work. He's now in a companion home.

If there's anything specific you're worried about, and it's a deal breaker, I would (with what I know now) probably x ray.

 

[Bernster]

You should contest that they will try and get away with this kind of thing and hope people just suffer it and a lot of the time people just accept its right.

I have contested a few things on my policy and they have been reinstated.

You’re right. I did email to ask what it would take to get it removed but they haven’t replied. A few weeks off, physio and a new saddle, and (new) horse is right as rain. Will chase it up.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You’re right. I did email to ask what it would take to get it removed but they haven’t replied. A few weeks off, physio and a new saddle, and (new) horse is right as rain. Will chase it up.

Definitely do it and even try and get a letter from your vet to clarify exactly what was wrong.

 

[Cowpony]

I bought a horse which proved to have horrific KS right under the saddle. Had her 5 stage vetted but I suspect she'd been injected and it was only over the following 6 months that it started to wear off and the problems emerged. Couldn't blame the vet. There was nothing obvious to suggest it.

 

[Mrs C]

Thank you all. The responses have helped me make a decision x