To vet or not to vet

[bren]

Looking at a prospective pony for my daughter. Should I get the pony vetted or not?
What are peoples opinions on the 2 stage or the 5 stage
Thanks in advance

[bubbs]

Most def get a vetting done, if it was me id be looking at use and purchase price etc with regards to insurance as most over a certain amount wont insure over 5000 without one, the extra few bob for a 5 stage is worth it,may save heartache down the line?

[bren]

thank you.

[Philippa]

I've bought many many ponies and never had one vetted. Granted they haven't all turned out to be silk purses but I've not had any with major medical issues that would have shown up on a vetting anyway.

[judyh]

I've only once had a horse ( yearling) who was very expensive vetted. Never had a problem without. Bought a pony very cheaply who had been spun on a flexion test. Got my vet to do the test after owning him for 6 months - no sign of any lameness.

[sjw87]

A vetting can only pick up issues that are evident on the day. If the pony has a good, continuous competition record, that would suggest that it hasn't been off work with an issue eg. Lameness.

Having said that, if the pony has never been vetted before then there may be something long term picked up on that no-one is aware of eg. Heart murmour.

It's really a personal decision whether to vet. I personally don't, but completely understand and respect why people do.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[hack]

We've not had one vetted, but the last three have all been youngsters. If we did buy something over 4 in the future I think would have it vetted though.

Just be aware (having been present for several different vettings not as a buyer) vettings can vary dramatically in terms of thoroughness! The findings also need to be interpreted well. Make sure your chosen vet is clear on what you will be doing with the pony.

[brindlerainbow]

Ive never had one vetted before. I think I'm experience enough to spot odd/deformed feet, lumpy or badly formed legs, cloudy eyes, abnormal breathing and I'm okish with teeth in that I could tell the difference between a 7 year old and a 15 year old. Obviously I couldn't detect heart murmurs or navicular or whether a pony had been doped or on bute etc. A friend had a 5 stage vetting and the horse passed, she only wanted it as a happy hacker. After 6 weeks it started bucking although had been perfect up until then. It had severe kissing spine and was PTS 2 months after she bought it.
Think it depends on how confident the buyer is at picking up possible problems whether that be ridden or health wise. Price they are paying and what the horse is wanted for ie happy hacker or 3 day eventer.

[sarahp]

I haven't bought one to ride for years now, it's all been breeding stock so I haven't bothered and never had anything come up later.

I have though been on the receiving end as seller over the years of a few vettings with interesting results - one failed on what vet said was a sarcoid under his chin which was in fact the scar from an earlier, now healed abcess. Many years ago vet failed our ridden Dartmoor pony, who had never been shod or had any trouble with her feet in her life, on the grounds that she'd had laminitis, which she hadn't, saying "look you can see where the farrier has filed away the laminitic rings". That was anew one on me. He'd obviously never come across parallel growth rings on the feet, as opposed to the diverging ones seen in laminitics, very common in animals when their diet changes eg from grass to hay! I must admit I was furious, as he was basically accusing me and my farrier of fraud, and if the buyer hadn't decided to go ahead with the purchase anyway I would have reported him to his governing body. As it was I let sleeping dogs lie. The family bought the pony, and had many years trouble free riding with her, teaching first their own three children to ride as she had my daughter, then lent out to teach other children. She remained in our PC and their ownership until she died.

[catkin]

I have mixed feelings on this one. I think it is worth getting eyes and heart checked on anything you intend to ride for safety's sake. It is not expensive to do this and I have personally encountered a few eye problems which have proven extremely expensive to deal with and ended tragically in one case fairly recently. If you are going to insure an animal then you will need to vet. What you have to do though is keep an open mind. A slight 'issue' may prove to be absolutely acceptable for the job you require the animal for. I probably would not have any young animals vetted that I was buying privately, but there is usually a good fairly affordable option at sales and I have taken this up before.

[mcnaughty]

I always set aside the £250 odd quid for a 5 stage which includes bloods. The only pony I did not have vetted was only 2 and came straight from the breeder practically unhandled so assumed nothing was broken on that one! If you can knock down the seller by the £250 then there is your vetting fee ;-)

2 stage is a bit pointless I feel as it only checks the horse at rest I believe and we do tend to work them! LOL.

[ponymum]

Ive never had one vetted yet ,and I have bought many horses and ponies! but as others have said I respect peoples decision either way. I think apart from internal issues I trust myself and my gut instinct so go with that.

[sarahp]

I think too a lot depends on where (or rather who from) the pony is coming from, the age of your child and what you want the pony to do. An ancient been there and got the T-shirt type from a known home for a tiny child just to potter is a different matter to a teenager's eventer!

[gillwales]

It depends on your experiance, plus contact any insurance companies you are thinking of using and see if there is a requirement in their terms, or better still a discount if you do. It also depends on what you are paying for the pony. However do remember that the vetting is for that day only; the same as a MOT. Finding out about the background of the pony will help you make a educated choice. I would also take into account the age of the pony and what sort of work you intend to do with it. If it is a L/R or F/R doing light work then it is not so important than how it behaves. If you are looking for a jumping/ event or hunting pony that will be doing a lot of work then maybe consider. At the end of the day it is what you are comfortable with and will you walk away if it does not pass the vetting.

[lucynlizzysmum]

I've had two vetted - the first one I was very naive and bought from a dealer - he arranged the vetting - the horse ended up being a total nutjob and guess what, whenever I tried to contact the vet to get the bloods checked -there was always an excuse. A dealer who specialised in problem horses took him off my hands at meat money, and ended up putting him down! The next one ended up having HWSD and being put down - he was passed with glue on shoes! I won't say I have not had any problems with other ponies that I have bought without vettings, but I've not (so far) had to put any down!! I think everyone has different views on vettings - I think now I would only really trust my own vets to do my vettings !

[gillwales]

You must use a vet you trust and preferably the person who will be looking after the pony's healthcare