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

J_sarahd

J_sarahd

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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.
 
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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Sickle hocks can create uneven hoof wear so its good that your farrier is on top of it already, what an amazing guy, you lucky thing!
They can damage their tendon at the back of the leg when they are sickle hocked and develop arthritis in later life so changing the balance of the hoof to reflect this early in the horses life can really help. As he is only five I would turnout as much as possible and keep his weight down as much as possible too.

If you want to jump him that should be fine but I wouldn't do much lunging or schooling until he's had time to grow more.
 
I am very lucky with my farrier. He’s really on it and was an absolute god send with Nova.

I am a massive advocate for them being out as much as possible. It’s just difficult being on a livery yard as we usually have to just go with the general consensus.

He is very scrawny - much more like a 4 year old in his body than a 5 year old so my plan was to hack as much as possible with the odd schooling session here and there and jump sporadically until he was fitter/stronger. I’m not a fan of lungeing really and would only do it for vet/rehab reasons, and would much rather longline if I wasn’t riding.
 
Sounds like he’s being a very good lad for you, is he still very behind your leg or is he more forward now? What’s the plan for when your 2 weeks are up if you like him, and does it involve a vetting? I’d probably be arranging that now as your feeling conflicted and now have questions re conformation. It will be interesting to see what your physio thinks - such an opportunity to have this trail period and get him looked at 👍🏻
 
J_sarahd said:
I haven’t asked the seller yet but I’ll drop her a message now.
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She may not have had a clue, potentially there are very little perfect horses out there that is the way I always look at it.
There are a lot of people and some on this forum that have bought horses with a 5 stage and then something crops up afterwards. Sods law isnt it ☹️
 
It wouldn't necessarily put me off, my horse isn't great conformationally behind. It depends how bad it is, If you have a good farrier on board, and you are confident you can help him develop correct muscle. - which from previous postings you appear competent ;)

It can improve vastly with age
 
Barton Bounty said:
Do the owners know about it already? Had he been injected?
Id probably ask these questions to them then make my decision. It wouldnt necessarily put me off though.
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Its a confirmation fault id be amazed if he had been injected, its like asking if a horse with pigeon toes has been injected. I probably wouldn't ask the owners. I would discus with the vet, have you had him vetted yet?
 
Floofball said:
Sounds like he’s being a very good lad for you, is he still very behind your leg or is he more forward now? What’s the plan for when your 2 weeks are up if you like him, and does it involve a vetting? I’d probably be arranging that now as your feeling conflicted and now have questions re conformation. It will be interesting to see what your physio thinks - such an opportunity to have this trail period and get him looked at 👍🏻
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He is still a little behind the leg but less so than when I tried him last. I’ve only ridden him twice since he came so not expecting miracles. I’m going in the school tonight with him so will be interesting to see if he is any better (won’t be doing much). He is massively unfit as I mentioned before, only being ridden twice a week for a hack around the village and the odd jump.

The next two weeks will include: a light school, a pop at home, a longer hack on saturday and then next week I’ll do some groundwork with him, maybe some in-hand polework and a school, and then a hack. Rubbish timing with the clocks going back and me working full-time else I’d be hacking a lot more.

He is booked in for a vetting already.
 
mini-eventer said:
It wouldn't necessarily put me off, my horse isn't great conformationally behind. It depends how bad it is, If you have a good farrier on board, and you are confident you can help him develop correct muscle. - which from previous postings you appear competent ;)

It can improve vastly with age
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Thank you - if my months and months of rehab with Nova has taught me anything, it’s how to correctly work a horse!
 
mini-eventer said:
Its a confirmation fault id be amazed if he had been injected, its like asking if a horse with pigeon toes has been injected. I probably wouldn't ask the owners. I would discus with the vet, have you had him vetted yet?
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it is probably the most widely used and effective treatment for a horse with clearly identified problems in his lower hock joints. The injection puts anti-inflammatory agents directly into the space between the bones of the sore joints.

Plus he is only 5 plenty of time to mature yet
 
mini-eventer said:
Its a confirmation fault id be amazed if he had been injected, its like asking if a horse with pigeon toes has been injected. I probably wouldn't ask the owners. I would discus with the vet, have you had him vetted yet?
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Absolutely correct that you don't get sickle hocks injected and that they are a conformation fault.
Some can strengthen behind over time and work. Others it can lead onto issues in later life.

OP worth picking your vets brains on this x
 
Barton Bounty said:
it is probably the most widely used and effective treatment for a horse with clearly identified problems in his lower hock joints. The injection puts anti-inflammatory agents directly into the space between the bones of the sore joints.

Plus he is only 5 plenty of time to mature yet
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Yes but a sickle hock in its self isn't a problem, and unlikely to be one at 5. Injecting now is pointless. It is something that should be considered that he may need in the future and plan finance accordingly.

J_Sarah I see you say he is unfit? my Connie was a lazy so and so when he was unfit. They just find things hard. He was keen, fun, but sensible when fit
 
mini-eventer said:
Yes but a sickle hock in its self isn't a problem, and unlikely to be one at 5. Injecting now is pointless. It is something that should be considered that he may need in the future and plan finance accordingly.

J_Sarah I see you say he is unfit? my Connie was a lazy so and so when he was unfit. They just find things hard. He was keen, fun, but sensible when fit
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I did not at any point say it is going to fix them 🤣 it might relieve the pressure though.

I am only going on someone from my last yard had it done for exactly the same thing in exact the same type of pony. Sadie didn't have any issues after that was a cracking pony and went onto competing with a wee girl.
 
I would get both your physio and vet to have a look and a good robust chat about 1) what can be improved with work / age 2) risks associated and their likelihood
And how bad they are - vs. the mystical illusion of a perfect horse!

I'd also consider whether you plan to have him forever or if you plan to sell on once he's mature and working - you may decide to take a risk but resale would be impacted.

If he was 10 and doing the allrounder job you want him for already - I'd have almost no hesitation
But hopefully he's only just started work so you've no way to judge how he'll cope
 
Polos Mum said:
I would get both your physio and vet to have a look and a good robust chat about 1) what can be improved with work / age 2) risks associated and their likelihood
And how bad they are - vs. the mystical illusion of a perfect horse!

I'd also consider whether you plan to have him forever or if you plan to sell on once he's mature and working - you may decide to take a risk but resale would be impacted.

If he was 10 and doing the allrounder job you want him for already - I'd have almost no hesitation
But hopefully he's only just started work so you've no way to judge how he'll cope
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The plan is to keep him forever. I’ll speak to my vet and physio
 
Could you post a picture of his hind legs? Would be useful to see exactly what his legs look like. I knew a pony, pulled the local sweep's cart for most of her long life and was used as a riding pony at weekends by a couple of sisters. They even hunted her. I saw her in later years, retired and turned out and realised that she had the worst sickle hocks I had ever seen. Long and looping yet she was still apparently sound. Wish I had a photo of her.
 
Speak to your vet. Depending on the severity may not he an issue; no horse has perfect conformation.

What you need a horse to be is "fit for purpose". A horse will be vetted differently if it is being purchased to event/jump at higher levels than one being purchased as an RC/90 all rounder.

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.

I know you came on here to vent, and possibly for opinions, but please do your own independent research and speak to actual qualified people. Some of the nonsense posted is frankly ridiculous. Never take anything on here at face value.
 
Barton Bounty said:
it is probably the most widely used and effective treatment for a horse with clearly identified problems in his lower hock joints. The injection puts anti-inflammatory agents directly into the space between the bones of the sore joints.

Plus he is only 5 plenty of time to mature yet
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for the love of god stop giving advice to someone when you literally have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

OP has had a rough time with horses and needs knowledgeable sensible advice, not people confidently mouthing off incorrect information and terrible advice.
 
Echo what @Polos Mum said. Plenty of wonky horses out there that are out competing and staying sound but it's always a risk with a young horse as you don't know whether they'll stand up to the work.

You mentioned that he stands camped under, personally that is a red flag for me as can be an indication of pain behind.

I too would talk it through with an experienced vet whilst keeping in mind they don't have a crystal ball. Saying that, every horse has 'something', it's just weighing up the risks.

When I bought my 3yo (was 5 stage vetted) I noticed his off-hind was shaped slightly differently where his action had worn it unevenly. He broke down at 5 with issues with that foot. He also stood camped under.
 
TPO said:
Speak to your vet. Depending on the severity may not he an issue; no horse has perfect conformation.

What you need a horse to be is "fit for purpose". A horse will be vetted differently if it is being purchased to event/jump at higher levels than one being purchased as an RC/90 all rounder.

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.

I know you came on here to vent, and possibly for opinions, but please do your own independent research and speak to actual qualified people. Some of the nonsense posted is frankly ridiculous. Never take anything on here at face value.
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Thank you. Yeah I basically wanted to know whether it was a complete “send it back!!!” or whether there was a chance.
 
Errin Paddywack said:
Could you post a picture of his hind legs? Would be useful to see exactly what his legs look like. I knew a pony, pulled the local sweep's cart for most of her long life and was used as a riding pony at weekends by a couple of sisters. They even hunted her. I saw her in later years, retired and turned out and realised that she had the worst sickle hocks I had ever seen. Long and looping yet she was still apparently sound. Wish I had a photo of her.
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Not the best image

IMG_0205.png
 
J_sarahd said:
Thank you. Yeah I basically wanted to know whether it was a complete “send it back!!!” or whether there was a chance.
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Unless he's got back legs like a banana and hind hooves under his navel I would say there's a chance [having not see him].

If you were looking to do a lot of jumping at height and/or the collected work of high level dressage it would be more of an issue. Definitely something to discuss with the vet pre vetting and kay out your expectations of the horse so they can vet accordingly.
 
May I remind you that this is a photo of Bonzai H - a very, very successful showjumper at 1.50/1.60 - conformation isn't everything, so don't hit the red panic button just yet, have a chat with your vet and farrier

You have found out now and can take all precautions, it may just need to be managed.

1729756945455.png
 
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J_sarahd said:
Not the best image
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Hmm - if that is his normal stance / he mostly looks like that then I think they are reasonably bad - IMHO
A single photo/ moment in time can be very unfair so think about whether this is at its worst or 'normal'

I would have the vet sooner rather than later and specifically to look at those - you can always move on to formal 5 stage vetting later IF the discussion on confirmation goes well.
 
TPO said:
Unless he's got back legs like a banana and hind hooves under his navel I would say there's a chance [having not see him].

If you were looking to do a lot of jumping at height and/or the collected work of high level dressage it would be more of an issue. Definitely something to discuss with the vet pre vetting and kay out your expectations of the horse so they can vet accordingly.
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Thank you - yes definitely not jumping big or any more than once a week when he has grown up a bit - less so whilst he is still weak. And the chances of me ever riding past Elementary dressage are slim to none 😂
Pearlsasinger said:
Bearing in mind that no horse is perfect, I would thank your lucky stars that you have found this Connie. Have him vetted during your trial and speak to your physio, unless they say 'No, definitely not!' snap the vendor's hand off. He sounds lovely.
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He is lovely and I reckon, if physio and vet are happy, once he is fitter he will be so much fun. He’s very sensible and willing
 
Millie is conformationally pretty poor behind. Probably the same as your photo, if maybe a little less (I’ll try and get a pic of her later). She passed a vetting at 7 but does have mild hock arthritis now at 14 (diagnosed at 12).
Would she have stood up to more work than I do? I’m not sure. She’s only ever been in light work with me.
 
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