HD15
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I've just had a horse vetted 5-stage plus x-rays. I want him as an event horse to go up the levels as high as I can (admittedly I might not get there, but I'm going to try). I'll be a one horse owner for at least a few years so I can't just take huge chances. He's 6.5yo, good breeding, a few small conformational faults but alright.
He passed the clinical part of the vetting, but basically failed on his x-rays. He had a bone spur on his hock (front aspect, lower joint if I remember correctly) and some roughening near the top of both front pasterns. The vet doing the exam said he wasn't happy with that and I was fine to accept his decision.
Then the owner's vet looked at the x-rays and said the first vet's opinion was rubbish and that the horse was fine. Obviously he is going to be at least a bit biased even if he doesn't think he is. He said he thought the only reason the exam vet could have said "no" is if he thought the horse needed to go to the absolute top - well that is my goal really. But even then he didn't think the x-rays were enough to cause concern.
So what should I do? Both vets are well respect and from good (very good) practices. I'm going to talk to the exam vet again and press him a bit more. I could also talk to the owners vet. I could also get a third opinion - although I fear this will just be a variation on either of the other 2 opinions.
Am I being too picking in passing on this horse? Are there enough other factors that could play into not going all the way that this is just as much chance as any of them? or it is really not a good idea to purchase a 6.5yo that hasn't really been worked that hard (BSJA discovery) with these x-rays? I would have said I shouldn't go ahead, but I'm not sure if I'm being too harsh.
All thoughts, suggestions very welcome! Thanks!
I've just had a horse vetted 5-stage plus x-rays. I want him as an event horse to go up the levels as high as I can (admittedly I might not get there, but I'm going to try). I'll be a one horse owner for at least a few years so I can't just take huge chances. He's 6.5yo, good breeding, a few small conformational faults but alright.
He passed the clinical part of the vetting, but basically failed on his x-rays. He had a bone spur on his hock (front aspect, lower joint if I remember correctly) and some roughening near the top of both front pasterns. The vet doing the exam said he wasn't happy with that and I was fine to accept his decision.
Then the owner's vet looked at the x-rays and said the first vet's opinion was rubbish and that the horse was fine. Obviously he is going to be at least a bit biased even if he doesn't think he is. He said he thought the only reason the exam vet could have said "no" is if he thought the horse needed to go to the absolute top - well that is my goal really. But even then he didn't think the x-rays were enough to cause concern.
So what should I do? Both vets are well respect and from good (very good) practices. I'm going to talk to the exam vet again and press him a bit more. I could also talk to the owners vet. I could also get a third opinion - although I fear this will just be a variation on either of the other 2 opinions.
Am I being too picking in passing on this horse? Are there enough other factors that could play into not going all the way that this is just as much chance as any of them? or it is really not a good idea to purchase a 6.5yo that hasn't really been worked that hard (BSJA discovery) with these x-rays? I would have said I shouldn't go ahead, but I'm not sure if I'm being too harsh.
All thoughts, suggestions very welcome! Thanks!
