Would you buy a horse with mild navicular changes?

If you can get the pony super fit and have lightweight tack I dont think 11 stone would be too much. Its 15% inc tack and the average is 2.5stones for clothes, boots,tack etc. You can probably get that down a bit, and a super fit pony should be fine at a genuine 16%, possibly a tiny bit more. A pound here or there from 15% isnt going to be the end of the world, but several pounds is pushing it. Its only when it gets higher than that that the issues have been found. But it needs be to a weighed on the scales, dressed for riding with tack in hand 16% not a guesstimate.

At 5ft5 and slim but big boobs I was 11stone, friend who looked chubbier but less boobs was 10stone1 so it can be hard to guess with any degree of accuracy.

The yard might be an issue forage wise. If its a track could she grze the middle? I had the fatties on the track and the TB went into the middle overnight.
 
It was a NO from me and then I read your update. It has to be worth a try as long as you are sure they will take her back if retirement seems the only option.
 
I would want to know regarding daughter’s weight. She doesn’t have to look, but you need to know. Especially given that this is a lightweight horse already diagnosed with navicular- she cannot carry what a healthy horse her build could, and you won’t be able to work her enough to muscle her up to help either.
 
Highmileagecob said:
On the other hand, if your daughter is willing to lend a hand with stable duties, hiking round the track to bring her in, hacking out etc. then you may not have a buxom daughter for long! . Good luck, I hope it works out.
Click to expand...
She does all that and more for our coblet who hasn't been ridden in well over 6 months so have no complaints on that score! She is just a tall and curveous young lady with her dad's genes and a healthy appetite. Its a minefield having teen girls and protecting their self esteem and mental health in a world that is so image driven, air brushed and body obsessed so whilst I 100% want to pop her on the scales she's self conscious and I cant do it.
 
It sounds from what you are saying that you believe that your daughter is going to be too heavy for this horse. Just word it that you don’t think that the horse is big enough for your needs and leave it at that.

The horse needs an advocate. A crocked lightweight horse isn’t going to do your job.

I know about teens and weight. I was the teen at boarding school where we had twice termly weigh ins. The nurse put me on the scales and called out down the corridor to her colleague and in front of the girls waiting to be weighed ‘Here’s another one over 10 stone!’ - I was already at my current height of 5’10” at the time and slim!
 
maya2008 said:
I would want to know regarding daughter’s weight. She doesn’t have to look, but you need to know. Especially given that this is a lightweight horse already diagnosed with navicular- she cannot carry what a healthy horse her build could, and you won’t be able to work her enough to muscle her up to help either.
Click to expand...

Ah, I'd forgotten about the navicular thing when I replied. I'd err on the side of caution when theres a medical issue involved, and if she really cant be weighed then you need to pass in this instance.
 
Last edited:
If you decide to pass, then when telling your daughter what you've decided, I wouldn't mention anything to do with size/height - just that as the pony has navicular, you've been doing some research and thinking, and have decided that it's not a condition you really want to take on. No need to bring anyone's weight into it at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top