Vet review

[lg4770]

Hi, has anyone heard of the vet Mike Barrott from Cinder Hill ?? I wanted to use him for a 5 stage vetting but ive heard he is really strict and never passes any horses ? can anyone help - dont want to waste my money on a vetting if i know he will probably fail the horse anyway

 

[SpottedCat]

I don't know the vet in question, but for a few reasons I think you're looking at it the wrong way!

Firstly, vetting isn't 'pass' or 'fail' it's an assessment of suitability for the job and a recommendation on whether to proceed or not - a horse which is not suitable for 4* eventing could quite easily be a superb RC horse (for example).

Secondly, which would you rather, a vet who brushes over something which may (or may not) turn out to be important, or someone who highlights everything? I know which I'd prefer.....

Thirdly, the main point of vettings as far as I can tell is to a) have decent insurance cover and b) know you are not buying any problems which aren't obvious to the untrained (i.e. non-vet) eye. So again, someone who picks everything up is surely a good thing?

I know of vets who find something 'wrong' with every horse - as long as they can talk it through with you and help you make the risk assessment as to whether to buy or not, I think that's a good thing....

 

[EgerdenFarmStud]

I've heard good and bad abut that practise, I personally haven't used them so couldn't comment on the vettings etc. They are fairly near me so I gather you are too?? I use Duncan Harrison @ Priors farm clinic in Forest Row - He is fantastic , we've used him for years and he always does my vettings - He will vet the horse for your purpose, eg. If you are looking at a 15h cob to play about on happy hacking and low level riding club events he will look at the horse and advise weather or not the horse id fit for that purpose. He is very honest and has a really good reputation. Another practise in that area (ish) that my mum uses are Arundel Equine vets - Ed and Matt are very good ' Reasonable ' vets. I think so many are worried about people suing them now that they are scared to pass the horses . It's bloody hard to get even the soundest horse through, but as long as it's eyes heart wind etc are good and it will pass on a flexion alot of people are happy.

So what type of pony are you looking at buying??
xx

 

[ImogenLouise]

Hi
I used Mike Barrott (I hadn't known him previously) to vet the horse I recently bought and found he was very good. He was very thorough and listed all my mare's little problems/issues. He thought she would be fine for me and she is.
I think you will find that vets don't 'fail' a horse- they just give you an opinion/advice and it's up to you what you do with it.
Best of luck!