Vetting and Hooves

T

Thornsett1

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23 July 2016
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Ok I have had a horse vetted a youngster who 's feet have been neglected the current owner has had them trimmed once but he has an issue with a hind foot . The vet has passed him sound but did point out the issue with trying to handle this hind foot which I think has some abnormal growth . He has suggested that some remedial shoeing might be helpful as well as regular trimming I am not sure that I want to I want to take this on as the hind foot issue has obviously been caused by something . The owner says he has passed the vetting (he also has thrown a splint) . The owner says the vet doesn't know what he is talking about I am concerned that if an issue does arise it may well be not covered by the insurance , can I reject the horse . ? my gut feeling is not to go there it is a nice horse but not foot no horse and buyer beware is ringing in my ears .
 
I'd ask the vet exactly what the problem was? I'd also bereluctant to take on a horse that doesn't like its hind feet being handled as suggests there has been a problem..
 
You can reject the horse for any or no reason although if you have left a deposit that may be kept by the seller as he has effectively passed the vetting, if I were selling I would have ensured his feet were trimmed before you viewed/ vetted to prevent exactly this type of issue causing a sale to fall through, no to mention making sure it can be handled properly so it can be examined.

As the vet has mentioned remedial shoeing then that foot and anything related to it is likely to be excluded when you take out insurance, if there is a chance it will have ongoing implications and you are already concerned then it is probably best to walk away, it is why you vetted to get a professional opinion, the seller is doing herself and her horse no favours by not getting the feet done ASAP then offering you the chance to see how they look afterwards, rather than saying the vet is wrong she could prove the point so easily, or not if it still looks bad but she does have that option.
 
A youngster that has not seen much of the farrier will automatically not be very willing with their feet- this is not necessarily a problem-just an issue that needs working on. Lack of trimming will produce abnormal growth too. If you really like the horse, ask your farrier to take a look and advise before you buy. If you think it will be an issue for you- walk away.
 
Of course you can choose not to go ahead with the purchase, however if you left a deposit you may loose it.

With regards to insurance I would be surprised if it wasn't excluded tbh.
 
Thank you all we have decided to not go ahead having shown my farrier he said leave it alone and he is probably right . I am sure the problem could be overcome with time in terms of handling but if I have learnt one thing on my horsey journey my gut instincts have normally been right and not to let my heart rule my head .Horses are our hobby not our profession and therefore our time to enjoy them is limited so it is probably wise to walk away .
 
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