vetting, very subtle lameness etc. putting pelvis unlevelness right.

kerilli

kerilli

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 April 2002
Messages
27,417
Location
Lovely Northamptonshire again!
Visit site
okay, i had a lovely lovely horse vetted last week as my potential future superstarhoss. i honestly couldn't fault him, when i rode him (flat and jumping fairly decent sized fences) he felt absolutely 100%. however, my vet said that the horse's pelvis wasn't level, that one side of his quarters was rising higher than the other, and that he was turning the hind foot out slightly on the higher side, so was subtly lame. he failed the horse, even though he really liked it and wanted to pass it, cos he felt it wouldn't stand up to the amount of work it'll have to do, eventing to a good level.
i hadn't been able to see him trot up properly (grass field with a slope) unlike where the vetting too place (perfectly flat concrete yard) so i guess i can see how i missed something, but i'm amazed that i couldn't feel anything riding him. he was completely straight to and after the jumps... surely if his pelvis was wrong like that, he'd have pushed more to one side than the other?
has anyone had a horse with this kind of problem that they've managed to get put right? i have an excellent McTimoney Chiropractor, but i don't want to buy a problem which can't be put right. *very confused and frustrated*
thanks everybody.
 
Its easily fixed we have a fantastic McTimony person who came out and fixed my boy - I just made sure that i had him seen monthly to start then went to 2 months then so on and so on and with the correct work i have never had a problem as he has built the correct muscle up !!

you just have to think if he has done it once it could happen again - normally when the bronk round the field x it cant have been that bad if you hadnt felt anything !!
 
Hmmm ... no horse is perfect but at the same time I wouldn't want to be buying trouble. It may never affect the horse but equally it could be an expensive mistake. I think I would be inclined to see if the owners would be willing to have some physio work done and then see how the horse trots up. If you like the horse enough it may even be worth your while offering to fund the physio in order for them to hold the horse for you.
 
PF broke her pelvis as a yearling (I think it was as a yearling) She's definitely wonky (one hip pokes out more than the other) but not many people notice and it's never caused any lameness or stopped her jumping. She's also very straight although she feels slightly stiffer going left. That might not be due to her pelvis at all though
smile.gif
 
You'd probably find he was slightly quarters in on one rein. I expect as the vet is saying with more work this problem would become more pronounced.

Having got a horse with a back problem (had him 8 years and couldn't bear to part with him) I've always said I would never buy another with one, and would get my physio to check out any horse I thought of buying. Apart from the fact it is expensive having the physio out, there is nothing more frustrating than having a horse with a sensitive back tweaking itself just before a comp. This is a sore point actually. Just had physio out this morning cause I thought horse wass sore and had a big show coming up this Sat. I was right and I now won't be doing! GRR!
mad.gif
 
I bought my horse with a bad back - and somewhat 'suspect' action. But this was after a long chat with my vet (who vetted him). He was of the opinion that treatment to his back would rectify the movement, and that he would absolutely up to the work I wanted to do.

I've had work done on the horse - and had the original vet back to look at him. He is 110% happy with him. I took a risk on a horse that I really like, and was priced right.

I'm not sure in your position that I would want to take the risk if the purpose was for some serious competitive future though.

What did the sellers say?? Has it had a fall?
 
Would the vendor be prepared to have a McTimoney or other chiropractor out to work on the horse, and then you have another look?

Does sound like a fab horse for you, but obviously you need to be as sure as you can be before going ahead.
 
Have you spoke to the owners ??? maybe get a physio to see the horse - say you will pay (as you do a vetting) and get there honest opinion they will be able to tell you better than the vet to be honest !!
 
Chat to your chiropractor because some mild cases seem to be improved more than others. It may be a younger horse is more 'adjustable'. In my experience most are improved with a combination of chiropractic work, physiotherapy and correct exercise but not cured. Personally I would steer clear when looking for a serious event horse as the unlevel pelvis results in an increased loading of the opposing foreleg increasing the chance of tendon strain.
I would consider making an offer on the basis that if you can't get it really right it might make a 2* horse. What level would said vet pass it for?
As for feeling it ridden if well presented it might well be straight under saddle now but as it progresses to carry more behind it may become more evident.
 
the trouble is, i fall totally in love with my horses and am utterly rubbish at selling them on, so if i bought him, i'd not want to risk having to sell him as a 2-star horse. already got 2 that can't stand up to hard work, daren't buy another!
thanks though, well said, much appreciated advice.
 
My horse had sublaxing stifles and a wonky pelvis. My vet flexed, lunged, hard and tried everything to make her lame but nothing so he said she should be fine, I ahev owned for 2 years with no problems. We have a physio about every 6 months (in fact think she id due sson), she tends to canter with hr quarters in on the right bot other than that she is very straight. I did not pay mega bucks and I guess if the horse was quite a bit of money I would walk away, as this gamble was not too much to loose
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top