Would you buy a horse knowing it’s had SI & Hock injections..?

[Cubbini]

Hi all

Would you buy a horse knowing it has had SI and Hock injections?

Vet history shared begins at the end of last year and shows the injections took place.

Prior to the injections ive been told the horse had no other symptoms, issues or lameness hence no other vet records.

Could I be opening myself up to lots of issues by taking on a horse with previous SI and hock injections or is this quite common when buying a horse?

Horse would be 5 stage vetted before purchase however if there’s no current issues apparent the vetting may miss this or not show anything wrong.

Thanks in advance for any help, knowledge or advice you can give!

 

[ycbm]

How old is the horse, what is it currently doing, what do you want to do with it, and how much money do they want for it?

 

[Cubbini]

How old is the horse, what is it currently doing, what do you want to do with it, and how much money do they want for it?

The horse is 12 and 10k. She has predominantly done dressage. I would like to continue with this and also hacking and low level jumping. Thanks

 

[ihatework]

The horse is 12 and 10k. She has predominantly done dressage. I would like to continue with this and also hacking and low level jumping. Thanks

I would want to see the horse back performing at its previous level with solid scores for a number of months before even considering it.

 

[Identityincrisis]

Simply put, no. Especially not at that price (although I am North, so that is a significant amount of money)

 

[Cortez]

No. Not even if it was free.

 

[Bellaboo18]

From the information you've given no, the injections were given less than 6 months ago so you wont know how long they will last and if the horse will stand up to the work you want.

 

[ycbm]

The horse is 12 and 10k. She has predominantly done dressage. I would like to continue with this and also hacking and low level jumping. Thanks

No, sorry, I wouldn't pay £10k for a horse that's had that done in the last few months. I would also be very wary of wanting to start jumping a horse which has needed SI and hock injections if it wasn't jumping regularly before it needed them.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Not for that money they are deluded if they think they can ask that money, chances are she won't pass a 5 stage vetting either and you will have exclusions on your insurance policy I think I would keep looking.

 

[lottiepony]

It would be a no from me to, that is a lot of money for something with known issues that are so recent!!

 

[IrishMilo]

Lord no for that price!

 

[Cubbini]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

What approximate £ would you expect to pay for the horse as described please?

Also I would be keen to know if treatment like this is given regularly/routinely to dressage horses? Could injections like this be given just due to lack of topline etc or for mildly sore hindquarters? (E.g I’ve been told there were no symptoms apparent and the injections are for maintenance).

Ultimately I’m just wondering if this could develop or issues with SI etc become uncovered in a couple of months after the injections wear off and expensive treatment and long rehab might be required etc?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hock injections aren't necessarily too off putting, but SI issues as well can be a real can of worms. I would expect that the hind suspensories may well be iffy, too.

I would not buy such a horse. I have one at home who has needed this...

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

No vet records for a horse that suddenly needs both hocks and sacroiliac injected? Smells fishy to me! Horses don't just suddenly need steroid injections without various other work ups done. They aren't done as routine for maintenance either.

 

[Pippity]

I'd consider it if the horse had been happily doing the work I wanted for two years with no recurrence. The horse you're looking at? No.

 

[Leandy]

I would consider for a schoolmaster type to step down the levels for a less experienced rider ie to do less pressured work than previously, but not for the job as you describe it. Are such injections common? Yes I would say pretty common in older competition horses but I'd be wary for a horse they have started them at this age. Are such injections things people commonly get comfortable with in looking at a potential purchase? I suspect not really, as you have found from the responses here. What level dressage is this horse working at? ie I think it makes a difference if it is a much higher level than you are planning on. If you are planning to work it at the same level it is currently having problems with, then I would not risk it myself.

 

[Flicker]

Hocks I’m not too bothered about. SI no, no, no. Having lost one to SI dysfunction, I can tell you it is a long road to heartbreak and no money. Wouldn’t take it if you paid me.

 

[brighteyes]

And it's a no from me.

 

[ihatework]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

What approximate £ would you expect to pay for the horse as described please?

Also I would be keen to know if treatment like this is given regularly/routinely to dressage horses? Could injections like this be given just due to lack of topline etc or for mildly sore hindquarters? (E.g I’ve been told there were no symptoms apparent and the injections are for maintenance).

Ultimately I’m just wondering if this could develop or issues with SI etc become uncovered in a couple of months after the injections wear off and expensive treatment and long rehab might be required etc?

Thanks everyone.

No one would do a sacro without at least a very strong suspicion of underlying disease and or other primary conditions.

Some vets (not all) will do routine hocks on performance horses without any diagnosed pathology.

I can guarantee you that a horse that has had both done will have had a reason for it, and the fact this is being glossed over by the sellers and the horse is for sale before back in the ring would make me hugely suspicious .

How much is the horse worth? Impossible to tell you without seeing it work and it’s performance record

 

[IrishMilo]

Also I would be keen to know if treatment like this is given regularly/routinely to dressage horses? Could injections like this be given just due to lack of topline etc or for mildly sore hindquarters?

You don't inject a joint in the hock with steroids because the horse has a lack of topline. I smell a lot of BS with this lady's story and I think she is probably sensing you're not entirely sure what's what and is having you on.

Have you asked to see the X rays and confirmed there are no arthritic changes? Lots of horses have them as routine (every six months to a year) to treat joint issues. Sometimes they work for years and sometimes they don't work at all.

 

[IrishMilo]

Ultimately I’m just wondering if this could develop or issues with SI etc become uncovered in a couple of months after the injections wear off and expensive treatment and long rehab might be required etc?

Oh and yes, this is 99% guaranteed to happen!

 

[Cowpony]

Mine has had both these injections. She's 18 now and has arthritic changes in her hocks, so was injected December last year. She's had 3 lots of SI injections and the middle ones lasted 3 years. But these things tend to last a shorter period each time they are done, so we're definitely on the countdown to retirement. Would I pay £10K for her? Hell no! And having no symptoms before injecting the SI is absolute rubbish! Nobody injects a perfectly healthy horse! Although I have heard of gel injections in the hocks of top level performance horses as routine maintenance.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

From what I have come across having horses injected so they can continue at their level of work is fairly common (ETA: In certain circles) - I know some dressage horses who have 5 injection sites that are done on an 'x' monthly/yearly basis. Not saying that it should be done and not saying that I agree with it in all circumstances.

Ultimately you wouldn't have them injected without a prior issue that needed 'fixing' (or masking). I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, and especially not at anywhere near £10k. I would have a horse that had had this for a step down to simple hacking..

 

[Nudibranch]

Never.
Lost one at 7 to SI and hock issues.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

£10k??? No.

 

[scats]

£10k?? Good god, no way.
I’ve got a mare with SI and hock issues so I know the complications that come with it and the management needs.
I’d take a punt on one for meat money if I liked it, but would be fully prepared to put it down or have it as an ornament if it broke.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Hell no. Why would you buy a horse with known issues? The horse market is bloody ridiculous just now.

 

[misst]

No. It's a crazy price for a horse with problems. SI and hocks - nope. It will almost certainly crop up again. Also how are the suspensories? They probably need checking too.

 

[irishdraft]

No I would not buy a horse for any price with those issues .

 

[skint1]

Bought my mare for £4K just as a happy hacker, she’s got SI and hock issues and before I turned her away for the winter my physio said with consistent and considerable rehab and treatment she MIGHT stand up to hacking when we start off again this year, so sadly I think you’d be better to leave this one be, especially for that money.