Vettings...impossible to pass???

P

pottamus

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 November 2005
Messages
3,635
Visit site
It amazes me the number of posts I see where horses have failed the vetting for one thing and another. It also seems that some of the failings are due to pretty minor and easily put right problems. Flexion tests seem to be a problem in particular but if someone held my leg up tight for a while and then ask me to move straight off without faltering...I would probably fall over...never mind 'be lame'!!!!!!
I don't tend to have horses vetted and have been lucky with the ones I have in that they are healthy little things...but the vetting just seems to make it impossible for people to sell horses or buy them!
Pointless post really...just airing a view really that things seem to be getting a bit silly with regards to perfection of health.
 
It does seem that some horses can fail for stupid things - a horse I was going to buy failed because of a crack in the hoof once!

However both horses I have sold have had full vettings and passed easily, so I don't know really.
 
I tend to go for the older, more experienced vet as they are a bit more flexible and as long as the horse is fit for its purpose always pass them. It would be major things they'd fail on - sarcoids, heart murmurs, eye conditions, lameness etc
 
I'm not sure that vettings should ever be seen as a clear pass or fail.
With the vettings that I have had done the vet has always picked up odd "little" things pointed out the implications and then given an opinion of whether the horse is suitable for what I have in mind.
My current eventer had warts on her legs which the vet I used suggested might be sarcoids & had a slight cough. This led to exclusions on my insurance policy AHH! My usual vet suggested that the wart were probably due to being in with cattle at some point & would dissappear - which they have. I have had to be careful with soaking ahy etc for the breathing but she makes the time at Novice.
 
i disagree all my horses have passed 5* first time and as OrangeE said it helps protect the welfare of the horse and the rider's interests. I always see them trotted up etc before have them vetted so i know they are sound in a straght line anyway! I guess it does depend on the vet but these days they have to be so careful so they don't get sued! I would consider buying a horse that failed the vet but it would depend on the reason and i would discuss it with the vet
 
I diasgree that vettings are impossible to pass.
Most of the horses I sell are vetted, and all have passed with flying colours. These are supposed to be 'knackered' ex racehorses.
I had one vet who tried to put the people off because the horse had a slightly unlevel backside, which would indicate an old injury. Now I had told the buyers that the horse got an odd twinge there, but his racing record pointed to the fact that it had never given him any lasting trouble. The vet did not say a word to me, which I find very odd. Surely she is better qualified to judge if I am talking crap, and should investigate on the owners behalf?
Upon discussing it with my vet he was amazed. Their job is to point out the facts and let the buyer make their own minds up, not to actively put someone off due to 'maybes'.
 
I was under the impression that horses didn't pass or fail, the vet just reports his findings? George's wasn't clear but they were all things that wouldn't really affect what I wanted to do with him, so I decided with the vets help that all was well to go for it! It obviously does depend on the vet of course.
 
I don't think they are. Vets have to assess the horse and decide if it is suitable for the work it will be required to do, and if it has any physical problems if they will detract from its ability to do this work. I had a horse vetted some time ago - a dressage horse, 7 yr old warmblood mare. Vet picked on something in one hind leg and recommended x-rays. X-rays revealed slight bony changes to hock, which might, or might not cause problems in the future. It was my decision in the end whether to take the chance on this horse or not. I didn't, but someone else did and she is now winning at Medium level and went to the nationals at Novice and Elementary.


The point is that vettings are carefully done in order to have the buyer as informed as possible about the horse they are buying. Until veterinary records have to be disclosed when a horse is sold, they are our best way of understanding the risk we are taking on when we make a purchase. But at the end of the day it is up to us, not the vet, to make the decision what to do with our money.
 
Having watched a large number of event/dressage horses being vetted I find it amazing at the differences at how some of these vets conduct these vettings.
So called 'top' vets who are 'famous' and everyone thinks they are 'highly reccomended' have barely watched the horse trotting up or felt it all over its body. One horse I had vetted and passed by a top vet was chatting away non stop to other people in the stable while I was trotting the horse up and riding it and I honestly dont think he gave the horse as much as a second glance.
Another horse was vetted and passed by supposedly the best vet in the south east and it was so blatently a cripple.
Whereas other vets will just give the poor horse the 10th degree, wrenching the legs up as tight as possible in the trot ups, prodding and poking the horse soo hard that of course it goes 'ouch' . It makes me laugh watching them because they look on their faces is one that is sooo determined to find something wrong.
 
I lost my money on a horse I owned that didn't pass the vet. It had never had a days lameness but on the day it was vetted, it was lame???
confused.gif
 
I had a horse that "passed" its vetting and one that "Failed". I don't think these days its down to a pass or fail, its whether a horse is fit and well for the purchaser's requirements, my vet said that there is no such thing as a perfect horse, and any faults found need to be measured against the working life of the horse, all problems are bought out in the open and there for discussion.
I personally wouldn't buy a horse without a vetting, I think its piece of mind that the horse is ok for the intended use.
 
I noted on a well known dealer's website, under the ts & cs, if you have a horse vetted and it fails on the flexion test, they will not accept that it has failed the vetting. If you then pull out of the sale, they will not return your deposit.
 
Interestingly, when I had Thumper vetted it wasn't a case of pass or fail - more a case of: These are the problems, they are sortable, however, I think he'll suit you if you are prepared to spend a litte money on a good physio and farrier.

I bought him knowing fully what needed fixing. Got a horse that I couldn't in a million years afford otherwise. Have sorted the problems.
 
Just because it fails doesn't mean to say you shouldn't buy it...Like you said it can be so minor. When I found a horse that was just too good to be true it was the vetting that told me it really was. I only decided to have vetting last minuit - so greatful I did. This horse was 2/10 lame on hard ground so it could simply stod on a sharp stone but after a long chat with the vet we decided with his opinion it was to likely to be broken down.

I have known horses fail and pass a few weeks later.

My uncle is a equine vet and lector at the vet school in scottland. Hes trained with some amazing vets and done surgory on top internation showjumpers. So when he tells me its the vets airing on the safe side I believe him.

I doubt many people would pass a full examination either that doesn't mean we not capable.

I think I'd be more annoyed if unsound horses were passing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Whereas other vets will just give the poor horse the 10th degree, wrenching the legs up as tight as possible in the trot ups, prodding and poking the horse soo hard that of course it goes 'ouch' . It makes me laugh watching them because they look on their faces is one that is sooo determined to find something wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]
I had one of those come and vet one of my horses too
mad.gif

He was a kn*b. Despite poking and prodding and wrenching horse STILL trotted up sound. All he could say was there was something 'wrong' about her action.
Did I mention he was a kn*b?? It STILL p:sses me off to remember it
mad.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top