Umbilical hernia.

[Charlotte150]

Hello, I have found a horse for sale he is a bit of a project as he hasn't had much done in the last 6 months but he has an umbilical hernia When I first enquired I assumed that he had ,had it removed as a youngster but in the last day the lady told us that he still has a lump there ,and that it was never removed.
As some hernias there is a risk of problems later ,Due to me wanting a small pony he would be doing quite allot of jumping ,eventing and pc things, Has anyone herd of it getting bigger or it causing other issues Another problem would be devaluing him although he isn't expensive if he didn't work out would his resale be limited or an issue?

 

[Spring Feather]

Usual vet advice is for the breeder to push their fingers gently up there daily in the hope that it will reduce in size or shrink away as the foal grows. I've never bothered tbf, I just leave them (so long as they are small) and if they don't go by the time the youngster is of castration age then I would have it banded or surgically removed at the same time. I had a colt with a little hernia so I had it banded when he was castrated. Banding is thought cruel by many but his wasn't big enough to be cut out so banded it had to be. He's rising 2 now and you would never know he ever had a hernia now. Personally I'd get them dealt with unless they are tiny. I think the gauge is if it's smaller than 2 fingers then it shouldn't cause a problem but I'd rather be on the safe side and be rid.

 

[Ladydragon]

You could fit three fingers into the one our yearling had - so it would have been surgical intervention... It caused her no issues and we didn't bother intervening because she took a terrible stifle injury not long after we had her - becoming sound was more of a concern at the time although the intention was there to have it sorted out prior to that...

It never bothered her or caused any issues/discomfort... It was very soft and easily palpated...

 

[Passtheshampoo]

A foal I bred 7 years ago had an umbilical hernia. We had it surgically removed at around 7 months on advice from my vet. Following 3 weeks post surgery box rest the foal promptly razzed round like a nutter and the hernia partially reappeared! I decided to leave it and sold her not long afterwards to Ireland (value wasn't affected by hernia). The lady who bought her got her vet to band it (it was just fatty tissue popping through btw) and you'd never know she'd had one. Wish my vet had banded it but as I was insured they seemed to want to go down the more expensive route!!! Said filly has since produced her own foal without probs.
As far as I'm aware they don't cause a prob unless guts come through the hole and then it can be serious.
Best advice is to speak to your vet about the matter.