what does this spell out to you?

JackDaniels1

JackDaniels1

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 February 2009
Messages
1,050
Visit site
5yo gelding, had a good 8/9 months off work due to owners ill-health then came back into work and found it hard going and is weak behind - may just need more time to build up strength again, he is catching his hind toe a little in trot.
 
owners wanting 2k for him, he's lovely, currently with dressage trainer in livery. Would you give wide birth?
 
Wouldn't overly bother me tbh - he's young, unfit and possibly still very early on in his training so is unbalanced.

Providing he passes 5*vetting wouldn't see it as an issue, certainly not for 2k. Maybe offer a bit less considering time out of work.
 
Vet him and get a professional opinion.

I could show you a super horse, been out of work for a long time, moves like a dream and very impressive competition record. All you might notice is a slightly squared off hind toe. The reality is a totally knackered horse that might do a little bit of work before breaking down again.
 
Could be any number of problems, but chances are at 5 years old and after 8/9 months off, it may well be nothing to worry about and it'll improve as he strengthens.
 
Could be anything from just being weak to soft tissue damage, stifle issue, arthritic changes in hocks, sacrum issues, sacroiliac, kissing spine.. Only a vet cab tell u.
 
...or suspensory? If you really like discuss your concern with vet & if you continue get him to vet that bit 1st...if its not good news he can stop there & you won't incur full 5 stage fee.
 
I would get him vetted if you are interested. It could be nothing, my cob dragged his hind feet when he was younger but as he got fitter and more balanced has stopped.
 
Does he do it on both sides equally ?
Toe dragging can be naught or something , to purchase such horse without a five stage vetting would be madness but it is possible for a horse with a big problem to pass a vetting , and even investigation may not give definative answers about why horses do this.
 
A quick update.... owner running out of money fast (ie, struggling to pay livery) wants horse gone by end of weekend meaning no time for vetting but would accept £500!

What are your thoughts now? risky without a vetting? Lovely horse but could end in trouble?
 
Goldenstar said:
Does he do it on both sides equally ?
Toe dragging can be naught or something , to purchase such horse without a five stage vetting would be madness but it is possible for a horse with a big problem to pass a vetting , and even investigation may not give definative answers about why horses do this.
Click to expand...

he is catching his right hind slightly in trot
 
Last edited:
tallyho! said:
How long has he been back in work?

What does work actually consist of?
Click to expand...

Was sent to a dressage rider on sales livery 6 weeks ago (Dressage rider who sells horses £15,000 upwards so a bit 'below' her depth so to speak!) .... she started riding him again after he'd had 8/9 months off due to owners illness, he is catching right hind slightly in trot so as he is not 100% she isn't riding him. He has been on the lunge. She personally feels if he were her horse, she would get a vet out but owner run out of money , horse has had a couple of physio sessions. Rider said in her experience, she has known young horses come through it with time and building up or on the other hand there may be an underlying problem.
 
If the horse is correct in confo and head, and you have your own facilities rather than paying livery, I would offer £300 and take a punt.

However, if you have to pay livery it will only take a few months before the cost of keeping him exceeds what you paid for him, and if he is a knacker you have lost a lot of money.
 
Personally I just think this horse just needs time.

Dragging toes could mean anything. Fluid in stifle, hock joint problems, bad shoeing, imbalance in pelvis, lack of strength the specific back muscles. Needs a sympathetic hand, someone with patience.

If you think you have time to take it slow, I would make an offer.

You could buy a £15000 horse that passed a 5* vetting and it breaks its leg the next day.

My old boy was a slight daisy cutter but through correct work, didn't do it at all!
 
tallyho! said:
Personally I just think this horse just needs time.

Dragging toes could mean anything. Fluid in stifle, hock joint problems, bad shoeing, imbalance in pelvis, lack of strength the specific back muscles. Needs a sympathetic hand, someone with patience.

If you think you have time to take it slow, I would make an offer.

You could buy a £15000 horse that passed a 5* vetting and it breaks its leg the next day.

My old boy was a slight daisy cutter but through correct work, didn't do it at all!
Click to expand...

What makes you think he just needs time?
 
Because, all horses need much more time than people are prepared to give. it sounds like this horse has had a lot of time off, then brought back into work fairly recently and possibly too quickly by people expecting miracles.

You can't expect any horse to be perfect in such a short space of time. If you are in a rush, don't buy the horse.

All horses need time. My friend took on a "rescue" back in October. The horse had not been in work for a year. He's only just starting to really come along now... That's 8 months at a show producers yard. He looked bloody awful in January. You wouldn't think he was the same horse now!

So, if you don't have that sort of time, do the horse a favour and don't buy him :)
 
I'd also offer £300 and take a punt

I'd question why someone who buys and sells horses for a living would take a punt on the horse themselves though
 
WelshD said:
I'd also offer £300 and take a punt

I'd question why someone who buys and sells horses for a living would take a punt on the horse themselves though
Click to expand...

Not quite sure of the question - do you mean the dressage rider? She produces/sells at £15,000 plus priced horses, doesn't look at anything under £10,000. This horse was sent to her on schooling/sales livery so I gather, I don't think there would be enough ''money'' in it for her considering what she usually deals in!
 
You might be buying a star or a pile of problems, you wont know unless you vet, the game plan seems to be changing to avoid a vets eyes, that would bother me.
If you are experienced enough or have someone who has a good eye you could run through some tests yourself, tbh for me, it sounds well dodgy to drop £1,500 to avoid a vetting, if its buted up or has acp on board you wont know, the more i type this the more the red flag is waving lol
 
Marydoll said:
You might be buying a star or a pile of problems, you wont know unless you vet, the game plan seems to be changing to avoid a vets eyes, that would bother me.
If you are experienced enough or have someone who has a good eye you could run through some tests yourself, tbh for me, it sounds well dodgy to drop £1,500 to avoid a vetting, if its buted up or has acp on board you wont know, the more i type this the more the red flag is waving lol
Click to expand...

I didn't mention a vetting to owner so price wasn't dropped because of that but yes the price has dropped 1,500. I am torn.
 
If it's costing the owner sales livery and the yard would rather have the stable for a high value horse (which I can see your point about) would they let you take the horse on a weeks trial maybe?
 
Agonising then!

I always think things happen for a reason (though you sound more pragmatic than me!) I took a punt on a pony with a problem last year and haven't regretted it for a second. Good luck with whatever you decide to do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top