Would you buy this horse???

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liona123

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If you were buying a pony club eventer, and he ticked all the boxes and was lovely in all respects what would you do if his feet were a bit flat and crumbling at the bottom?? Would you say no thanks or would you consider corrective shoeing, feeding a supplement to strengthen the horn, or ask your vet? Thanks!
 
Wouldnt buy - no hoof no horse.Been there and would never do it again :( its different if you are attached
 
How old is he and at what level is he competing with hooves like this? If he passed a vetting and was an 'older; (ie 12ish) type happily competing with no soundness issues... Yes.
 
Lolo said:
How old is he and at what level is he competing with hooves like this? If he passed a vetting and was an 'older; (ie 12ish) type happily competing with no soundness issues... Yes.
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He's a 12yrold ISH 15hh who has been competing heavily at Pre-Novice last four years with absolutely no feet problems. :)
 
liona123 said:
If you were buying a pony club eventer, and he ticked all the boxes and was lovely in all respects what would you do if his feet were a bit flat and crumbling at the bottom?? Would you say no thanks or would you consider corrective shoeing, feeding a supplement to strengthen the horn, or ask your vet? Thanks!
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Thats quite a wide description. Its been dry so I have started soaking my horses feet anyway and maybe the pony might have been left longer than normal as he was being sold? as in the owners didn't want to fork out for another set of shoes when he was (hopefully) going off in a couple of weeks. Not saying that was right or wrong, just a possibility. Personally I would a: ask for the date of the last shoeing and b: get my vets opinion then look at how much of an issue this really is.
 
Would depend on age and price, I guess!
I would expect the price to be reduce because with flaking feet whilst shod is not a good sign. However, on the other side I took a loan on like that and within 2 shoe fittings his feet were completely different but you had to keep the supplement going full time with no stopping, otherwise his feet would return to a shocking state again.
 
You need to get a vet (and a farrier) opinion on this tbh. There is so much that can be done for poor feet - and the vast majority of this is thru diet. My last horse had shocking flat feet (was never lame tho, ever) - and if I'd known then what I know now.......

If you go ahead, I recommend a book by Sarah Braithwaite and Nic Barker, called "Feet First". It is aimed at barefooters, but the advice will help strengthen any horse's feet.

Find out what this horse is being fed, and his shoeing history - then maybe post back ?

Hope that helps, sm x
 
Luci07 said:
Thats quite a wide description. Its been dry so I have started soaking my horses feet anyway and maybe the pony might have been left longer than normal as he was being sold? as in the owners didn't want to fork out for another set of shoes when he was (hopefully) going off in a couple of weeks. Not saying that was right or wrong, just a possibility. Personally I would a: ask for the date of the last shoeing and b: get my vets opinion then look at how much of an issue this really is.
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That's a good point, his feet may look worse than usual due to the weather. He was last shod 4 weeks ago, and his owners shoe him every 5 weeks. They seem to have done a really good job with managing it!
 
liona123 said:
He was last shod 4 weeks ago, and his owners shoe him every 5 weeks.
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My farrier started shoeing every 4-5 weeks and I found my horses foot fell apart!! The excess nail holes made the foot crumble at the bottom. If there are no splits in the hoof and hes keeping his shoes on it wouldnt bother me to be honest - I would just ask my farrier if he could come out and give me his advice if worried! :)
 
liona123 said:
That's a good point, his feet may look worse than usual due to the weather. He was last shod 4 weeks ago, and his owners shoe him every 5 weeks. They seem to have done a really good job with managing it!
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Definitely speak to your farrier if he/she is anything like mine (who is worth his weight in gold) they will be able to give you some pointers.
 
Hmmmmmmmmm (puts tin hat on :eek:)

Does sound like those feet need to have some time off from shoes, and maybe have some bootees on till theyre not foot sore and grown out......they will become more concave and stronger horn will then be able to hold nails better (IF you do put shoes back on).........

**Prepare to FIRE !!!!!!!!!!!!*** :D:eek:
 
liona123 said:
That's a good point, his feet may look worse than usual due to the weather. He was last shod 4 weeks ago, and his owners shoe him every 5 weeks. They seem to have done a really good job with managing it!
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Do his shoes stay on ok? You need to ask a few questions and get some professional advice. I presume you are having him vetted. The vet will say then although I guess at this stage your still considering buying him.
 
Definitely need to speak to a farrier. But i also agree with shys mum. Sounds like he could possibly do with a break from shoes. Shoeing every 5 weeks seems alot. My sister had a ex racer with shocking feet as he had been shod that much they just disintegrated and were weak from all the nail holes.so we took his shoes off for a few months with a new diet and supplements they hardened up a treat. its surprising how much they grow.
 
We brought a horse with bad feet after consulting with our farrier. With corrective shoes and Keratex (Brilliant stuff swear by all the Keratex products) and farriers formula he came good but it took a long time.
 
Two years ago we decided not to make an offer on a horse due to it having had a sand crack (it had almost grown out). I recently saw the horse for sale for £9000...He was £2500 when we were looking. Would I make the decision again? Probably - though a little bit of me wishes we had bought him.

Can't really give any advice, as not sure what I would do. Check about insurance though, as to whether it gets excluded if vet picks up on it during vetting.

Hope it works out.
 
My horse has good feet and I noticed the other day they were 'crumbling' beneath the clenches on one foot. The weather isnt helping at the moment. My horse is shod every 6 weeks. Id ask your vet or farrier to try to put your mind at rest.
 
If you do buy the horse you could always try Lard. It's great for re-moisturising feet and yes it's fine in really hot weather. we used it in 50 degrees and sunny in Cyprus. My Horse's feet went lovely after using lard for a while.
 
horsimous said:
If you do buy the horse you could always try Lard. It's great for re-moisturising feet and yes it's fine in really hot weather. we used it in 50 degrees and sunny in Cyprus. My Horse's feet went lovely after using lard for a while.
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LOL - I swear that lard is the main ingredient in Kevin Bacon..... :o Smells like lard, looks like lard and the dogs were forever pinching the hoof brushes I used with it!
 
Depends why the feet are bad

If they're flat/weak but not causing soundness issues then yes I would. However, if they're weak because the horse is continually losing shoes then I wouldn't tough with a barge poll. But, is the seller really going to be honest about this?

I think you have to ask your farrier. If he can't see the horse, then take photos and email them. I did this when I went to see a horse 4 hours away, and the response from my farrier made me very glad I did!
 
With our last pony we bought, he had neglected feet, well over due for a trim. The vet noted that in her discussion with me but that indicated within 3 months of regular trimming they would be fine. They were and are fine. It depends what the issue is and best if vet and/or farrier can give you an opinion, it may be a non issue - or may not.
 
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