Would you buy a horse with navicular?

[tigger01]

I have the most amazing l/w show cob who was diagnosed with navicular last May. Since then he's been barefoot and the difference in him is amazing. He is sound, much more forward going, happy in himself. 11 years old, safe and sensible, hunts, shows - but would anyone buy him with Navicular? I love this horse to bits but due to lack of time and one very old veteran who I cant bear to part with, he might have to be sold. I wouldnt dream of selling him on without being honest about him. He's a lovely boy and needs to be kept in work.

Opinions please.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

I wouldn't touch him personally! I see it as riding a time bomb- at one point in time he will cost an absolute fortune.

What about loaning him from your yard? Or getting a sharer in. Someone at the PC may be interested in loaning him for the summer/ easter...

 

[scarymare]

I wouldn't but my sister did. She had two wonderful years and then loaned it out on bute (20 years ago). He was eventually PTS. I think you'll be shot down in flames here but if he is as good as you say, then you may be able to find a home - you will only get meat money though I would imagine.

 

[Miss L Toe]

You might have more success with loaning but be prepared to get him back if things deteriorate. Also a very high percentage of horse riders are totally of closed mindset when it comes to barefoot.

 

[FairyLights]

You dont need to buy trouble. There are plenty of good horses out there. I wouldnt buy.

 

[ThePony]

Yep - would happily keep him barefoot and get on with enjoying him! He would continue to need careful management and ensure that his feet are kept in good nick - for that reason would you perhaps consider loan instead so that you can keep control of this?

 

[starbar]

No, end of. Its never going to get better, only worse. You can manage it to a point but thats it.

 

[rhino]

No. Behavioural problems I will consider, but not physical conditions which are likely to degenerate.

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

No, end of. Its never going to get better, only worse. You can manage it to a point but thats it.

Totally agree with this.

Loaning is probably going to be your only option realistically.

 

[Enfys]

No

 

[criso]

From the point of view of an owner with a horse that had feet issues that have been resolved barefoot I wouldn't sell but I would loan if I was in a position where I couldn't keep him.

If barefoot is working to keep him sound then you can't rely on the next owner not to shoe as a matter of course and him deteriorating again.
Then there is the risk of him ending up in the hands of someone who will bute up and sell on without disclosing the problem.

 

[Kenzo]

Sorry to hear that your horse has navicular.

To answer your question, no I wouldn't buy a horse with the condition even if they are coping as well as you have stated, just wouldn't want the added worry and limitations.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Personally, no I wouldn't. I admire your honesty, its a pity more people in the horse world aren't like you.
However, you could advertise him on a Barefoot site as they seem to have a different outlook on navicular.

 

[soloequestrian]

You should try asking the same question on the UKNHCP forum! Lots of people on there who've rehabilitated navicular horses - I don't think they would consider the condition to be a lifelong one any more.

 

[Ladylina83]

I would say you could loan him ! Hey I'll have him but I wouldn't want to sell him on as you would have no control over his future.

At least with a loan home you could educate them in the way you do things - provide then and now xrays to demonstrate why you want him barefoot and insit they keep the safe foot care practitioner. I would say you would have better luck on a barefoot or NH forum though

 

[Ali2]

As a barefooter I'd buy him but as a barefooter I wouldn't sell him

 

[Snowysadude]

Personally not buy unless for a lot less than he should be worth (without navicular) and needing references who have seen him out and about and what he is like. It would have been an outright no but there are two horses on our yard who have navicular and both are sound, ones 27 so only hacked but the other in full work and both are shod without issues. So now I would consider it.

But as others have said Loaning would be easier and possibly the more sensible option to ensure he has a good future - as it sounds like you do care about him

 

[Tickles]

- share: definitely (if sound and happy in work for over half the time)
- loan: maybe (possibly you'll have to volunteer to pay insurance/any navi-related meds etc)
- buy: no way
- take on for free (e.g. if had own land and needed a companion): possibly but unlikely and risky for horse in future I'd say

 

[TicTac]

Quite simply. No!

 

[dafthoss]

Would I buy no, its a degnenerative condition and even if hes fine now its not possible to tell how long he will stay that way. But if he is all you say he is then I think you stand a good chance of loaning him out. He sounds like he would suit a teenager to have fun and do pc type activities with and then you can keep an eye and make sure he stays barefoot and his diet is kept appropreate so he can stay that way.

 

[Super_Kat]

I'll buy most things but something with a degenerative condition such as that...... never.
I'd strongly suggest putting him on loan only so you can keep control of his health and wellbeing x

 

[Wagtail]

No. I already have two field ornaments and even if I could afford another I would want a 5 stage vetting and no record of anything wrong whatsoever. I would loan him though.

 

[Curragh]

No way, I already have one with navicular and would never knowingly buy another with it. You could try loaning though, as others have suggested. Good luck

 

[Sarah1]

No.

 

[Fauvea]

As a barefooter I'd buy him but as a barefooter I wouldn't sell him

Agree, unless you really find the right personn (thinking UKNHCP forum if you ever need to advertise him for sale). There are too many people uneducated about navicular like this thread proves.

An interesting article abour navicular (not necessarily for you OP, for anyone interested in knowing more about it): http://www.hoofrehab.com/NavicularSyndrome.htm

 

[maggiesmum]

No, end of. Its never going to get better, only worse. You can manage it to a point but thats it.

Sorry but thats a very outdated opinion especially on an already barefoot sound horse!

OP - I've had a few horses i've been in your situation, horse is now sound and needs a job, try advertising loan with view to buy, give him a chance to prove how sound and capable he is, put a clause in the loan agreement specifying feed requirements and asking for approval on the farrier / trimmer thats used.

My mare is now happy in her new home with her new mummy who's become a total barefoot convert! It can work but it takes a little time to find the right person.

 

[rhino]

Agree, unless you really find the right personn (thinking UKNHCP forum if you ever need to advertise him for sale). There are too many people uneducated about navicular like this thread proves.

I think this thread shows a difference in opinion based on experience, not ignorance

 

[jalapeno]

hmm this is a tricky one. If I was a novice looking for a school master and one was advertised for loan or sale (if I had the room and money for it to be an expensive ornament) then yes, If the horse fit my bill. If I was looking for a happy hacker with the odd little fun ride etc.. again he might my bill. If I were you, I would be worried about his future when he did begin to deteriorate. Yes, you were honest when you sold him but whats to stop the next person buting him up and selling on.. or worse.

Echo what others have said RE loaning and sharing.

 

[tigger01]

This is very interesting. I knew I might be criticised for this - I am considering the loaning option very strongly but when it comes to having to think about how much money you've lost on him (and I dont really begrudge it as he is a lovely chap), then selling becomes more of a priority. I understand that me not owning him makes it difficult to keep control of his welfare, but I also think if I could find someone who understands the management of barefoot navicular inc feeding, supplements etc then there is a chance he can live a full life. Poor boy - little does he know he's being talked about!!!

 

[BombayMix]

No way - seen too many nasty accidents. My friend's daughter had a horse with not severe navicular that we just though would do a little tripping - it went head over heels on the rode plummeting the girl into the road - how she got up and walked away no-one will ever know.

I have also nearly had a similar accident

Would NEVER risk it. At all.