Would you take this on?

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Lordy100

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I have been offered a horse that has been working at Adv dressage but who is now suffering from probable spavin development. Horse is reluctant to work on the bit for very long and has to be worked in for 20 mins before asking. Now I don't ride to this level but would love the opportunity to learn something from him. Would value opinions on whether you think I should bother with him.
 
No. How can you learn from a horse that can't go on the bit for at least 20 minutes ? and even then, can't stay on the bit for long after his initial wamr up.

If they are offering to loan him, then you will only lose the cost of his keep, but I certainly would not pay any money for him.
 
It depends the amount of work/level of work you would want the horse to do and the extent of the Arthritis. Has he received treatment for this?, as if the condition is mild and kept under control, and it's not too advanced then there may not be so much of a problem as long as you know his limitations, but on the otherhand it may get worse.

Maybe you can speak to the horses vet for more info and find out what treatment he's been receiving- it may just mean he needs the joint medicated to keep comfortable.
 
There is not a huge amount of money involved and the lameness is only mild, at the moment. I suspect that the fact I have only ridden said horse a few times does not help with his way of going, will get help from current rider if I do decide to take him on.

K27: good idea about contacting vet I'll give them a ring.
 
I wouldn't, you're probably going to have more bad days than good and a lot of heart ache.
If he's resisting he's obviously in pain, and it would be unfair to try and get him up and running enough for you to gain any benefit - Poor horse.
My friend has just rehomed her advanced horse to a hacking home due to spavins in his hocks. He just couldn't do it anymore, and the advanced works puts more pressure on their hocks.
You same the lameness is mild, but I think the dressage will increase the deterioration.
 
If the horse is lame then he is in pain. Lower level of work and different management may impove this but it may not. It is a risk. You have to weigh up pros and cons and be prepared that you may be taking on a horse that may not be able to work at all and have to be retired and looked after for many years without being able to ride it. Are you prepared to do this? If not then the answer is no. I would speak to the vet and look at the xrays to see the extent of the problem to give you more info as to what the extent of the risk is. You can then make an informed decision and be guessing less.
 
Do you know which part of the hocks are affected? If it is the lower part then this isnt quite so bad as once fusion takes place you may have up to 95% normal action. If it is the top part of the hock, unfortunately nothing can be done.

Until the hock is fused you will only be able to hack. It would not be fair to work in a school on circles or to ask the horse to engage which means taking up to 60% of its weight on the hocks (at the higher levels). Most vets will recommend light hacking, on bute if necessary. Gentle exercise will help the spavin to fuse, but this could take from months to years.

I would speak to an equine vet and get as much information as you can before going forward. Dont forget that his hocks will be excluded from any insurance policy.
 
I agree with TeddyT insofar as if the horse remains lame he is in pain. Surely he could be given bute on the days he is ridden, or maybe the owner should ensure the horse is given intra acticular injections into his hocks and possibly a course of Tildren to see if this would help him. A very effective supplement for bone spavin would be something with MSM in such as Equine America's 10,000mg glucosamine plus MSM - last for 60 days - costs about £15.00 a tub. If the horse has got hind limb problems it is worth contemplating whether he may also have back problems as usually horses will overcompensate in this area for hind limb lameness, notably kissing spine in horses with hind limb tendon damage.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you know which part of the hocks are affected? If it is the lower part then this isnt quite so bad as once fusion takes place you may have up to 95% normal action. If it is the top part of the hock, unfortunately nothing can be done.

Until the hock is fused you will only be able to hack. It would not be fair to work in a school on circles or to ask the horse to engage which means taking up to 60% of its weight on the hocks (at the higher levels). Most vets will recommend light hacking, on bute if necessary. Gentle exercise will help the spavin to fuse, but this could take from months to years.

I would speak to an equine vet and get as much information as you can before going forward. Dont forget that his hocks will be excluded from any insurance policy.

[/ QUOTE ]

What she said. My horse has bone spavin in the lower joints and is fine, he needs extra time to warm up and cool down, but otherwise, you wouldnt know. I wouldnt be without him. In my opinion, bone spavin in the lower joints is nothing to worry about.
 
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