Vettings

[JenJ]

So it's more of a hypothetical question, as I think I've already decided, but just in case I've missed something...

I'm on the verge of buying my first horse eek and as it's my first was going to get it 5 stage vetted. A couple of people have expressed doubts that it would pass, but I'm likely to buy it even if it failed - I'd just want to know what was wrong.

It has been suggested that I just get a two stage instead, and having looked at the differences between the two and five stage, they mostly relate to exercising. I've ridden him quite a few times already (including 5 hours on Monday) so have no questions over that.

I'm only going to want him for hacking and schooling, with maybe the odd fun ride/hunter trial, so is there any reason why I *should* get a 5 stage vetting done?

I'm buying him from the riding school/dealers where I have lessons, and he'd be on working livery in the school, so I have no doubts about the sellers being genuine/honest etc.

 

[amycamycamyc]

A couple of people have expressed doubts that it would pass, but I'm likely to buy it even if it failed - I'd just want to know what was wrong..

what is causing the doubt in these peoples minds? they must have reason to think that, have you asked them?

Do you know what kind of vetting the riding school got done when they bought him, if any??

 

[Honey08]

I wouldn't worry as much if you know and trust the owners. For me, it depends on how much the price is - over £3000 and I wnat a 5*, especially for a competition horse, otherwise I just want to know that their legs, eyes and heart are sound. I'm not overly bothered about flexion tests, although I've never had one fail.. Hope it all works out.

 

[galaxy]

I would always say vet...

but...
if you KNOW he's not going to pass, do realise that any problems they find will be excluded by your insurance company and you won't get any pay out from them for those problems in the future.

What is it they think he is going to fail on?

My vet doesn't like doing 2 stage vettings on horses except youngstock as it's not the full true picture.

 

[Maisy]

Are you intending to insure the horse? If so, please be aware that if the horse fails a 5 stage or a 2 stage, the insurance wont cover.....

My friend has just been stung....she bought a 13 yr old mare who had a slight reaction to flexion tests on all 4 legs, but the vet had written "no more than expected on a horse of this age".....6 months down the line, horse has been diagnosed with arthritis of the elbow, and has had to have (and will continue to need) cortisone injections.....it has now cost more than the horse itself, and will continue to cost.....

The horse's prognosis is unclear really....probably 45 mins gentle hacking 3/4 times a week at the moment, but chances are, within a few years it will need retiring....

Obviously, none of this is covered on the insurance, yet probably would have been if she had not had the vetting.....

 

[sally08]

Unless you have too, don't get it vetted. Anything that shows up on the vetting is not covered by insurance. We had a pony vetted who had windgalls - any problem below the knee was not covered...luckily she never had a days lameness in 3 years with us.

 

[JenJ]

He can be a bit stiff behind, and he's 'old' (12!).

I did think that perhaps if I didn't know something then it couldn't be excluded from insurance...without wishing to sound devious.

I'm fairly sure he hasn't been vetted recently - he's only been there 2 weeks, and came over with quite a few others.

I was just going to get the 2 stage done to 'tick the box' as it were, and see if there's anything glaringly wrong with him that I'm not experienced enough to have noticed.

 

[amycamycamyc]

personally then yes i'd get a 2 stage. I think better than none at all - yes fine you might still get insurance and it might cover treatment but it won't cover the heartbreak of finding out something's wrong down the line... i'd rather have it flagged in advance.
I don;t think 12 is particularly 'old' and I would want a vet to check out the stiffness....

I agree that 5 stage is probably OTT given you know his background,trust the owners and it seems like if there is an issue with the stiffness it would be picked up in two stage anyway.

Tough call though - I know when I got my first one I had half of my horsey friends saying "no vetting, insure it for a year, if somethings going to go wrong it will do in that year" and the other half saying "five stage, x rays, bloods, the works, can't be too careful"

At the end of the day though, any horse can be 100% fit and sound for a five stage but get kicked in the field the next day... !!

 

[JenJ]

Two stage it is then, thanks all.

As for your last comment Amy, sadly in the last 24 hours we've had the emergency vet out twice to two horses at the yard - one who was involved in a car crash and is in a bad way, and a colic case tonight. As you say, no vetting would have predicted those...

 

[charlie13]

hear is my story off gettin vetted i went to see a horse i saw on horse mart not done alot, 9 years old but would jump anyhing ,so went to ride and wow somthing just clicked, he was fab he was up for sale for 2500 i had a friend with me a the time who said i should really get him veted "not something i would do really" so we had him 3 stage vetted well guess what he failed ! well i was devastated so we weighed up the opertions and spoke to the dealers selling him and negotiated a price he had failed an two little things had an aparent cataract in one eye and some sarcoides on him. vet said he will be fine to do small amount of work hacking well i wanted something i could do riding club on ! he had flone through his flextion tests ect well i have had him nealy two years now he has no sarcoides on him and no cataract in any eyes one problem i have had is his pelvis was out but has been sorted with regular back treatment and correct constant work he is a fab fun riding club horse so in my opinion unless your spending alot on a horse stuff the vetting. good luck and ou will know if is the righ horse even if fails he vetting trust yourself to make the right desision as the horse is for you not for any one els

 

[jack9]

i didnt have mind vetted but she was my 3rd horse (im NO expert)! but you just know when its the right one and for the price then i was willing to take the risk....

anything over 3k i would have vetted, for insurance purposes.

 

[NicoleS_007]

Id probably atleast get a 2 stage as said
My friend bought a wee 6yr horse from the RS and was known as "stiff behind" always was off and on so they didnt bother getting it vetted. It went lame a couple months later and has had to go for x rays etc to see what the problem is. Its now one box rest for a month then re xrayed. Sorry im not very helpful am i lol, but sometimes stiffness can be something alot more serious!!!