Wonkey but safe donkey

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eventer28

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My mum has found herself and ideal horse. He is a 15hh connemara x something, 7yo Dunn gelding. He is very steady and good to hack out in traffic and calm and lazy in the school. Perfect for my mum, she needs slower than slow. He is a cute small horse but has the most horrendous action. He dishes in front and tight rope walks behind (both hinds land on the same track). Mum doesnt give two hoots that his action looks peculiar because he gave her confidence. He is very cheap (£1500) I rode him and he was comfy and willing. What makes a horse walk in this way?? Should I let her buy him??
 
I wouldn't worry about the dishing but the 'tightrope' walking behind would seriously worry me. I'd be inclined to think that there was an underlying problem that may not rear its head until the horse was doing a bit more work. Could well cause you lameness issues in the future.

Is he shod? Is he very fit at the moment? What state are his muscles in? (I'm guessing he isn't doing much work at the mo and that he doesn't have a very well developed topline)
 
Confirmation has a lot to do with action - just the same as people really.

If he's what your mother is after then I wouldn't hesitate to consider him.

Do get him thoroughly vetted. Tell the vet before hand that you would like special attention paid to his action - and see how it goes.

Some may say that a horse that doesn't move straight is more inclined to limb problems in the future. And this can be true. However, if all your mum wants is a steady neddy and he is acceptable to your vet, then go for it.
 
Dishing would not really bother me for the intended job - the hind action could lead to injuries but all in all if he ticks all other boxes and your Mum really only wants him for 'fun' I'd just invest in the best boots I could as he's sure to knock himself from time to time.
Have you had a good lock at his back? Just wondered if that couls have effect on the hind action.....
 
Hmmmm. She left a £100 deposit and gets a 2 weeks warranty.. He will only be hacked out a couple times a week and maybe a 1h lesson in the school..
 
If you are seriously considering him I'd get him 5 stage vetted. Agree with Amymay - tell the vet first. Also consider wether you will keep him for life or will need to sell him on in the future - he may be harder to sell.

Whatever you do don't buy him without a vetting!
 
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Hmmmm. She left a £100 deposit and gets a 2 weeks warranty.. He will only be hacked out a couple times a week and maybe a 1h lesson in the school..


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Dealer?

Do not proceed any further until the horse is 5 stage vetted. And if the dealer suddenly produces one that was 'done last week' discount it and insist on a new one from your own vet, or one reccommended to you by your vet if it's too far for them to travel.
 
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Hmmmm. She left a £100 deposit and gets a 2 weeks warranty.. He will only be hacked out a couple times a week and maybe a 1h lesson in the school..

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Get a vet to check it out. The reason I say this is I have a horse with this action. The vets have not been able to find the cause, neither have chiros, etc - it seems to be a way of going she has developed, maybe due to injury at some point. However, although she is happy to hack out in walk/trot, she does frequently go lame and is very uncomfortable in the school.

What did you do when you tried the horse? Did you see it cantered? Was it in a school and if so how did it seem to cope with the corners?
 
He was a lazy un-schooled bugger and I had to get after him to canter. He did go round the corners ok. He took me on a nice canter across a big stubble field.. maybe a vet is in order!!??
 
Definitely! Make sure it's someone of your choice, not their own vet. If the vet gives you the all clear and you do go ahead andd buy him, I'd be tempted to have a chiro look at him to make sure there is nothing causing his odd movement. They can also give you advice on how to work them to deveop the correct muscles etc and you may be able to improve it.

Keep us posted on what happens, anyway
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Are there any pics of him online?
 
They look like they are fairly reputable. There is an address and landline numbers as well as mobiles, which is good. He looks quite cute
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I think you would be best to get some of that weight off him as it might make it easier for him to move correctly. Get the vet though - better safe than sorry (lesson learned through experience!)
 
This is one of the things they say in their blurb:

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We offer a full 2 week exchangeable warranty on all seen, tried and vetted sales.

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So - yes get the horse vetted, otherwise the warranty is probably null and void.
 
Yes, but quite frankly - why would you buy a horse without vetting it. Especially as you have questions about it in your mind allready.

It may be inexpensive - but could cost you thousands in the future. Better to spend £200 on getting it vetted and to find out it was not what you thought (or confirmed that it was).

My horse was considerably more than this. The vetting hightlighted some problems which needed addressing - I was happier knowing them and making an informed decision on whether to still go ahead with the purchase.

Bluntly - I think you'd be daft to not even consider having the horse vetted. Anyone would!
 
Also supporting the "consult a vet" stance. BUT I've ridden a few horses that rope walked and I can't say they've all been crocks by any means. One had a little trouble with his hocks . . . after racing, being an event horse (up to **) for years, being a s/j and dressage schoolmaster, and literally working everyday for about 18 years. And he's still sound with only a feed additive. Another two mares I rode that were almost comic rope walkers stayed sound for years doing RC/PC level competing. It depends on degree, conformation, use - too many factors to just say yay or nay on the internet.

You see fewer and fewer crazy movers these days because breeding is so much more organised but in the "old days" lots of horses with less than perfect function came on just fine. Yes, form absolutely dictates function, and the straighter horse is sounder but not all deviatations count the same in all situations. (Toed in jumpers are generally assumed not to last and yet some people actively look for slightly pigeon toed dressage horses.)

Solid, good mineded horses, who will "pack" are not that easy to come by and they do tend to be easier on themselves than the more energetic amoungst us. So don't just write him off, just be careful and look closely at the areas where you might most expect a problem. I would second the recommendation of a good set of boots if you do end up going ahead.
 
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So don't just write him off......

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I absolutely agree.

I am just making the point that not to vet (any horse really) is a little foolhardy...
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I would say get it vetted for intented use, if only to cover yourself with the warrenty.

Also, if he does have a problem, such as a wonky pelvis (not saying it is that) for the work he is doing he would probably cope - but have to take it into consideration. Its good to get him vetted so you are aware.
 
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So don't just write him off......

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I absolutely agree.

I am just making the point that not to vet (any horse really) is a little foolhardy...
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Ditto.... There are so many charlatans out there, especially at the lower end of the scale
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and it is heartbreaking when a horse you have bought turns out to not be what you paid for (not to mention expensive)
 
Oh totally. Vetting is essential in this day and age.
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Not to mention just a good idea when buying anything,

I was just making the point that funky movement doesn't necessarily make a horse fundamentally unsound or unsuited for a specific purpose. After all we live in an imperfect world. I've just seen a trend to expect reliable packers with some mileage to vet out like potential GP or **** prospects. It has to be suitable for the JOB but it's not always rational to expect a horse being bought for it's brain to also have a perfect body.
 
Exactly!! There are many wonkey donkeys that do have weird conformation and stiffness but are great for those elderly riders. If i was looking for a horse for myself to event or show I wouldnt have even sat on him.. Horses for courses!! Have just spoken to my uni friend in York. He is an equine vet and said that some M&M types move like this behind without any underlying disease, if he was a WB or TB then he would be worried.. He will come and check him out for me..
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huh?

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I couldn't find a brick wall cartoon........
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You've had some really sound advice on here - and obviously it's your call.

But a student to 'vet' your horse? I just don't understand why you wouldn't get a qualified equine vet, with years of experience to give you a proper assessment of why this horse may or may not be suitable that's all.

Hey ho.....
 
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lol
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We went to Uni together. He did vet med. He is my age and qualified yrs ago...

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Ahhhhhh - sorry. Stupid me.
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Well do let us know how it goes. It would be great if it had a happy outcome.
 
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