Vetting showed a grade 2 heart murmour

[Frumpoon]

Are you sure it a murmur and not a heart block? I had a horse vetted 12 years ago that’s showed a grade 2 heart block, he’s still going aged 19

its a very subjective thing when you listen on a stethoscope, some vets can hear it, many can’t and he’s had 4 general anaesthetics in his life and multiple sedations

 

[lannerch]

One horse I bought had been a huntsmans horse, got him vetted by an experienced vet, no issues.

couple of years later a very young vet said he had a heart mumour. I know which vet I believed!

Both could have been correct often horses when for example suffering a virus or discomfort can temporarily suffer a heart murmur .

 

[WandaMare]

I wouldn’t buy purely because I know I would spend the next however many years worrying about it and given the choice I would prefer a horse without a heart murmur.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

@jonshell I was just wondering what you decided to do in the end?

We’ve seen a horse that in all other ways would be perfect, but have just been informed he’s had a very slight murmur (0.5) since birth which apparently shouldn’t effect him or his ability to pass a vetting. I’m now wobbling slightly on whether to have him vetted or walk away. I’m currently waiting to see the paperwork from the specialist that originally investigated it so we have a clearer understanding of what we’d be dealing with, but any real world experience would be incredibly helpful.

Usually I’d absolutely be in the “don’t buy a known issue” camp, but there’s something about him I really like so I don’t want to walk away unnecessarily if it’s not going to impact us in any way. I guess part of me thinks even with a horse with a clean bill of health there’s no guarantee they won’t break a leg in the field the next week so perhaps it’s worth the risk? If it makes a difference he’d be for dressage.

 

[jonshell]

@jonshell I was just wondering what you decided to do in the end?

We’ve seen a horse that in all other ways would be perfect, but have just been informed he’s had a very slight murmur (0.5) since birth which apparently shouldn’t effect him or his ability to pass a vetting. I’m now wobbling slightly on whether to have him vetted or walk away. I’m currently waiting to see the paperwork from the specialist that originally investigated it so we have a clearer understanding of what we’d be dealing with, but any real world experience would be incredibly helpful.

Usually I’d absolutely be in the “don’t buy a known issue” camp, but there’s something about him I really like so I don’t want to walk away unnecessarily if it’s not going to impact us in any way. I guess part of me thinks even with a horse with a clean bill of health there’s no guarantee they won’t break a leg in the field the next week so perhaps it’s worth the risk? If it makes a difference he’d be for dressage.

Hi i had the scan done the specialist vet said nothing to worry about its quite common and it wouldn't get any worse in the future and no future check ups needed. He said it shouldn't affect insurance however my insurers have done a 15% co insurance on anything related to do with the heart murmur, which I thought was better than not covering it at all!! It definitely put my mind at rest knowing it was nothing to worry about. He had his injections last week and the vet checked for me and could hardly hear it. I would recommend having a scan done if you really like the horse and don't write it off. So many people told me to walk away. At the moment he is being a git and testing my daughter out but we've got saddle issues going off as well however I know it will come good with some time. Hope this helps x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Hi i had the scan done the specialist vet said nothing to worry about its quite common and it wouldn't get any worse in the future and no future check ups needed. He said it shouldn't affect insurance however my insurers have done a 15% co insurance on anything related to do with the heart murmur, which I thought was better than not covering it at all!! It definitely put my mind at rest knowing it was nothing to worry about. He had his injections last week and the vet checked for me and could hardly hear it. I would recommend having a scan done if you really like the horse and don't write it off. So many people told me to walk away. At the moment he is being a git and testing my daughter out but we've got saddle issues going off as well however I know it will come good with some time. Hope this helps x

Thanks so much for replying! So pleased it worked out for you (minus the current testing and saddle issues!) I’ve managed to take a look at the findings now and it sounds like it could be a bit more significant than first suspected. I’ll have a chat with the insurers and vet in the morning but not convinced he’ll pass the vetting and he’s currently £££ so not one to take a punt on ?

 

[jonshell]

Thanks so much for replying! So pleased it worked out for you (minus the current testing and saddle issues!) I’ve managed to take a look at the findings now and it sounds like it could be a bit more significant than first suspected. I’ll have a chat with the insurers and vet in the morning but not convinced he’ll pass the vetting and he’s currently £££ so not one to take a punt on ?

Thanks so much for replying! So pleased it worked out for you (minus the current testing and saddle issues!) I’ve managed to take a look at the findings now and it sounds like it could be a bit more significant than first suspected. I’ll have a chat with the insurers and vet in the morning but not convinced he’ll pass the vetting and he’s currently £££ so not one to take a punt on ?

Iv pm'd you his report if that helps you