What did I do in a past life to deserve this?

A childhood horse I had had worse sickle hocks than that, and went on to be grand. I did have his hocks x rayed as a 4yo (it was very fancy to have x rays in those days) and the vet said crack on.

It is a serious conformation fault, but many horses manage nonetheless.

Echo others, I‘d get the vet out soonest for advice. If you go ahead I’d get hocks x rayed and scanned as part of the vetting. Hopefully you’ll go on to have a grand partnership.

Ignore the loud mouth know nothing poster.
 
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Echo having him vetted. I think with confo like that, you have to expect that they will likely develop issues later on if they live an active ridden life. If they get to 15/16 before issues happen, then most people would be fine with that. The difficulty is, some of them break down earlier and unfortunately there really isn’t a way to tell.

Theres always the random freak of nature who never has any issues, despite looking like a camel, but the reality is that a lot of horses do run into problems at some point (even those with good conformation).

Chat with your vet about your plans for the horse and your worries about the hind legs and go from there. Good luck x
 
As you are having him vetted I would see what vet thinks, then depending on what his owner says and how much they are asking for him go from there. It depends how much risk you want to take. Also depends what work you want to do. If he really suits you in all other ways maybe you can come to a agreement with his owner. No horse is perfect but also no point running in to problems to start with!
Its a difficult one!
 
scats said:
Theres always the random freak of nature who never has any issues, despite looking like a camel, but the reality is that a lot of horses do run into problems at some point (even those with good conformation).

Chat with your vet about your plans for the horse and your worries about the hind legs and go from there. Good luck x
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I have one of those. He's 19 now, no hind limb issues at any point. I bought him as a 4yo with pretty pronounced sickle hocks. He has evented to 2*, SJed to 1.20, dressage to medium, run in a PTP, done 6 seasons open TCing at top level and completed 10+ hunt races (Melton, Golden Button etc.).

As above, I would pretty much ignore advice on here. Get him vetted, be prepared for it to be a conclusion of 'He's fine and sound now [assuming he is], his conformation isn't great and may increase risk of injury with time, but we can't predict if that will actually happen or when'. I'm assuming you don't want to go showing? In my opinion (in general, not based on this horse in particular) low risk conformation defects in low level horses (ie amateur rider, hacking, low level affiliated competition) have to be weighed against the suitability of the horse. If it ticks every other box and the vet is happy enough, then the value of the horse to you may well outweigh its conformation.
 
I think we could all take photos of our horses in some light where we say, 'Oooh, that's not pretty...'

It wouldn't be an immediate no from me either, especially as you aren't planning Badminton Grassroots (and I'm sure there are ponies there with worse!)

If you were really concerned, you could get some hock 'rays done at the vetting, especially as they're pretty cheap.
 
Gamebird said:
I have one of those. He's 19 now, no hind limb issues at any point. I bought him as a 4yo with pretty pronounced sickle hocks. He has evented to 2*, SJed to 1.20, dressage to medium, run in a PTP, done 6 seasons open TCing at top level and completed 10+ hunt races (Melton, Golden Button etc.).

As above, I would pretty much ignore advice on here. Get him vetted, be prepared for it to be a conclusion of 'He's fine and sound now [assuming he is], his conformation isn't great and may increase risk of injury with time, but we can't predict if that will actually happen or when'. I'm assuming you don't want to go showing? In my opinion (in general, not based on this horse in particular) low risk conformation defects in low level horses (ie amateur rider, hacking, low level affiliated competition) have to be weighed against the suitability of the horse. If it ticks every other box and the vet is happy enough, then the value of the horse to you may well outweigh its conformation.
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Thank you. It’s good to hear of positive stories of sickle hocked horse.

No, definitely no showing! Not my bag at all. He will just be a horse to have fun on - a bit of show jumping, a bit of dressage, a bit of eventing, lots of hacking and fun rides. Only up to 90/100 and Elementary. With all the heartache I had with Nova, I just want something fun. Something I can see an advert for a clinic or a fun ride or a show and enter with no pressure.
 
IrishMilo said:
I think we could all take photos of our horses in some light where we say, 'Oooh, that's not pretty...'

It wouldn't be an immediate no from me either, especially as you aren't planning Badminton Grassroots (and I'm sure there are ponies there with worse!)

If you were really concerned, you could get some hock 'rays done at the vetting, especially as they're pretty cheap.
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The aim was originally Badminton Grassroots haha but after Nova, I’m just wanting to have fun and not put pressure on myself. I’ve had over 2 years of not enjoying horse ownership so I’m desperate for something I can enjoy.
 
J_sarahd said:
The aim was originally Badminton Grassroots haha but after Nova, I’m just wanting to have fun and not put pressure on myself. I’ve had over 2 years of not enjoying horse ownership so I’m desperate for something I can enjoy.
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There's a lot to be said for a horse who makes you feel confident, is a good sort, and fits the bill. I wouldn't panic, we all know with horses that it would be sod's law you send this one back, get something else that is practically perfect in every way, and then does a tendon in the field!

I had a bit of a similar conundrum recently, I went to ride a horse I absolutely loved, had it vetted and was told there were a couple of niggles that weren't immediate dealbreakers, but made me think for a while. I decided that what was brought up (small cataract was the main thing) was something I was prepared to take a risk on, given the price of the horse, how much I liked him, and that he is - touch wood - a fairly tough sort otherwise.
 
IrishMilo said:
There's a lot to be said for a horse who makes you feel confident, is a good sort, and fits the bill. I wouldn't panic, we all know with horses that it would be sod's law you send this one back, get something else that is practically perfect in every way, and then does a tendon in the field!

I had a bit of a similar conundrum recently, I went to ride a horse I absolutely loved, had it vetted and was told there were a couple of niggles that weren't immediate dealbreakers, but made me think for a while. I decided that what was brought up (small cataract was the main thing) was something I was prepared to take a risk on, given the price of the horse, how much I liked him, and that he is - touch wood - a fairly tough sort otherwise.
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Exactly. I was terrified of hacking, let alone hacking on my own, because Nova was so unpredictable. On Tuesday, my second ride at home on this pony, and we hacked out on our own and had a really nice canter. And the day before, we saw 3 tractors and I was so nonchalant about it. Such small things to most people, but massive to someone who used to feel sick at the thought of hacking.

If I didn’t feel like this on him, I probably would’ve sent him back. But, hocks aside, I have a good feeling about him.
 
J_sarahd said:
The connemara I mentioned before has been on trial since Sunday and he’s been perfect. No stress, amazing to hack out, acting like he’s been here forever. I love him, as do most of the yard!

My farrier was up shoeing another horse so I asked him to glance over said pony. He pointed out that he was sickle hocked. He said it may affect him later down the line, it may not. He said be can trim/shoe to help it and as he gets more muscled, he is likely to correct himself as he is camped under.

I am conflicted as to what to do. My physio said she will pop in to have a look and give me some advice.

I’ve not schooled him at home, but out hacking he is everything I’ve been hoping for. But the sickle hocks throws a big question-mark over everything.

For reference - he has mostly been hacking but has done some jumping and cross country. I want him for a bit of an all-rounder, not jumping any bigger than 1m on a good/brave day.
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Honestly no how you feel! Going through similar with a connemara i got whos getting hocks xrayed
 
Gamebird said:
As above, I would pretty much ignore advice on here. Get him vetted, be prepared for it to be a conclusion of 'He's fine and sound now [assuming he is], his conformation isn't great and may increase risk of injury with time, but we can't predict if that will actually happen or when'. I'm assuming you don't want to go showing? In my opinion (in general, not based on this horse in particular) low risk conformation defects in low level horses (ie amateur rider, hacking, low level affiliated competition) have to be weighed against the suitability of the horse. If it ticks every other box and the vet is happy enough, then the value of the horse to you may well outweigh its conformation.
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OP I think GB has hit the nail on the head here. I can't believe the angle of the hock is to drastic or you would have seen this for yourself. Your not an inexperienced horse person. It will be interesting to see what your physio has to say about your farriers comments.

No horse is perfect, but if he ticks all the other boxes a good conversation with your vet and x-rays to see whats going on inside might be the way forward.
 
TPO said:
Also he's five and unfit. A good fittening and strengthening programme, coupled with physio/saddle fitter/farrier input, alongside posture training can make huge differences to a horse.
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Agree, horse can change shape dramatically within a few months, especially a youngster.

So confirmation wise, though that won't change, strengthening the horses body is paramount if a horse has less than ideal conformation.

Below photo shows my 11yr old WB couple of weeks after he arrived (look how weak and weedy he was) and 4 months later after correct feeding, pro rider and daily groundwork.
 

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Gamebird said:
As above, I would pretty much ignore advice on here. Get him vetted, be prepared for it to be a conclusion of 'He's fine and sound now [assuming he is], his conformation isn't great and may increase risk of injury with time, but we can't predict if that will actually happen or when'. I'm assuming you don't want to go showing? In my opinion (in general, not based on this horse in particular) low risk conformation defects in low level horses (ie amateur rider, hacking, low level affiliated competition) have to be weighed against the suitability of the horse. If it ticks every other box and the vet is happy enough, then the value of the horse to you may well outweigh its conformation.
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This!

Fingers crossed for the vetting
 
Nothings perfect, horses with great looking conformation can get bone spavin according to my vet. Your farrier has identified a confirmation issue and can shoe or trim to help. You are lucky here most would bother in my experience over many years and farriers. It doesn't sound like you want to do extreme things with the horse so I wouldn't reject it without a lot more thought. Maybe you could use the issue to get a reduction in asking price.
 
Thank you everyone. You’ve put my mind at ease a little bit. I felt absolutely heartbroken yesterday when my farrier said it as I thought I’d definitely have to give him back. I joked about changing farriers, but I definitely won’t be as he is a good farrier (and always on time or early!!!!)

I’ll speak to my vet frankly about it when they come out to vet him. I’ll be absolutely gutted if he doesn’t pass (I know it’s not as simple as pass or fail) but everything happens for a reason.
 
J_sarahd said:
Thank you everyone. You’ve put my mind at ease a little bit. I felt absolutely heartbroken yesterday when my farrier said it as I thought I’d definitely have to give him back. I joked about changing farriers, but I definitely won’t be as he is a good farrier (and always on time or early!!!!)

I’ll speak to my vet frankly about it when they come out to vet him. I’ll be absolutely gutted if he doesn’t pass (I know it’s not as simple as pass or fail) but everything happens for a reason.
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I would actually take sickle hocks as the lesser of the two evils if the alternative is changing farrier! I've just had to do it and it is a NIGHTMARE. 😂
Glad you feel a bit better
 
Not something thaty would particularly worry me.
He looks to have pretty typical connie hind leg conformation. no horse has perfect conformation and good farriery will always be beneficial. My 21 year old connie is similiar and he has evented succesfully to BE100 his whole life. Never had any laeness issues and has retired to hacking sound.
 
I totally agree with GB so not much more to be said. I've had horses that conformation wise have been awful but they were safe and did their job. To feel safe is the important part plus having a vet that vets for purpose. It certainly wouldn't put me off. On the plus side you may be able to negotiate a price reduction. Common sense rules 😉 mine have all lived long lives and worked hard. Works for me. Good luck he sounds lovely.
 
It’s a conformation fault. Most horses have them! It sounds like your farrier has set you into panic mode perhaps unnecessarily!!!!
Young weak horses can change quite significantly as they develop.
What you need to assess at this point in time is whether the horse is sound - so get a decent vet in. If there is no sign of hock/sacro type pain then I wouldn’t let it put me off, but you will have to factor into your training plan.
 
Keep us posted op. Having seen the photo if that's his typical stance personally I'd walk away. Be interesting to see what the vet thinks. The horse is very obviously sickle hocked from the photo, there's plenty of info on Google about sickle hocks and the problems that can happen.
 
In a young horse that is under muscled, you can do a lot to help.

That said, I’d use it to reduce price if needed (as potentially less rideable years) but if temperament and schooling were as desired, no current issues and passing a vetting then I would buy. Horses are random, accident prone creatures - you can get something conformationally perfect and they can have a field accident, something autoimmune, a tumour, can be kicked and break a leg, put a giant nail through their hoof, eat something poisonous, develop a random allergy…or any more of thousands of things completely unrelated to conformation. Buy a horse you will enjoy riding and having around, that likes doing what you want to do and has a good temperament. Beyond that, unless you are competing at a high level, it’s pretty much luck!
 
I'm not sure more photos will help tbh, it needs a good vet to see him in person and make an assessment in the flesh. Which you have arranged, keeping everything crossed they are nothing to worry about!
 
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