Would you buy a horse with a positive fore limb flexion test

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MrsKB

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Interested in views…

I’ve found a lovely 14 year old dressage horse, working medium / advanced medium on the vetting was positive to left fore limb flexion and slightly off on the hard on the same limb, all other aspect including ridden where absolutely fine.

I’m realistic at 14 yrs old, there will be some wear and tear, vet is suggesting we could xray front feet to gain a better understanding and negotiate on price.

Trying desperately hard to listen to my head not my heart and interested in views or any experiences
 
I would definitely scan/xray so you go into it informed. If this was an eventer it would be an outright no, but dressage is more manageable depending on what images show.

Then it kind of depends how much you like the horse and how much horse is / what you are prepared to gamble.

Might be worth asking to see recent test sheets / look at score trends - might give you some insight if this is becoming an issue for the horse or if it’s been sound for purpose.

FWIW I bought into a dressage school mistress that had some coffin joint arthritis following historic poor foot balance, paid reasonable money and had a lot of fun and learnt loads from her. No regrets.

ETA and also get vet history print out.
 
ihatework said:
I would definitely scan/xray so you go into it informed. If this was an eventer it would be an outright no, but dressage is more manageable depending on what images show.

Then it kind of depends how much you like the horse and how much horse is / what you are prepared to gamble.

Might be worth asking to see recent test sheets / look at score trends - might give you some insight if this is becoming an issue for the horse or if it’s been sound for purpose.

FWIW I bought into a dressage school mistress that had some coffin joint arthritis following historic poor foot balance, paid reasonable money and had a lot of fun and learnt loads from her. No regrets.
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Thank you, my heart has very much fallen in love but I wonder if I should listen to my head.

I have no concerns from ridden history, aware it will be an insurance exclusion, the reduce price now makes him seem like a bargain and possibly worth the gamble!

I think I will go ahead with X-rays 🙏 thank you
 
MrsKB said:
Horse is low 1000’s, price was reduced following the vetting, I was hoping to school and competing elementary/ medium and gain experience from a school master
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X rays sound sensible, then you can make a more informed decision with the vet.
What did his feet look like ?
 
X Rays are sensible. If the horse will help you gain experience you’d like and there’s no previous lameness history it’s definitely worth considering, especially if previous history / owners are known. Info should be on BD record.
 
I thought flexion tests were graded by the number of lame steps they took afterwards? Or am I making that up? If so a positive could mean a range of things?
 
there are many things that cause a failed flexion right down to a horse being due to be shod however that isn't the reason a horse is slightly lame on hard ground. I'd be concerned that the arthritis is significant enough to cause lameness on hard ground there is a strong likelihood that in 2 years you may have an unrideable horse depending on the type of problem and how bad it is now. Arthritis is degenerative and not cureable but is manageable for a few years usually. Having said that I'm going to be pts a mare who was diagnosed 11mths ago and sound prior to that. However she has severe arthritis in her pasterns and coffins on both front feet.
 
We don’t know it even has arthritis 🤷‍♀️.

Mine got a djd dx (nothing on X-Ray but nerve blocked)
3/10 off minimum, shoes off and sound for the next 10 years (19-29) so turned out there was nothing degenerative about it.

Let us know how the X-rays go OP :)
 
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