Anybody Have a Horse?

[BostonBanker]

I manage a h/j farm, and have worked for years in large boarding/lesson barns. You've gotten great advice here.

The one thing I'm going to disagree with (to an extent) is the need to find a horse who is 100% sound. These days, very few vets will give a pass/fail on a vet check; there are just to many variables. Since it sounds like you are being smart and looking for a teenager, the odds of finding a horse with a clean vet check is pretty slim. Talk to your trainers and your vet, and decide what you really need. You certainly don't want a lame horse, but can you deal with "maintenance issues"?

For instance, the barn I board at dropped most of its lesson program about a year ago, and has been looking for loving, private homes for their schoolies. I doubt any would get a truely clean vet check, but they were staying sound working regularly.

Can you take a few lessons with another trainer who does help students look for horses? Even two or three evaluation lessons should give the trainer a good idea of your level, and having an experienced person along when you go shopping is priceless.

Good luck looking for your horse!

 

[cowgurl6254]

I manage a h/j farm, and have worked for years in large boarding/lesson barns. You've gotten great advice here.

The one thing I'm going to disagree with (to an extent) is the need to find a horse who is 100% sound. These days, very few vets will give a pass/fail on a vet check; there are just to many variables. Since it sounds like you are being smart and looking for a teenager, the odds of finding a horse with a clean vet check is pretty slim. Talk to your trainers and your vet, and decide what you really need. You certainly don't want a lame horse, but can you deal with "maintenance issues"?

For instance, the barn I board at dropped most of its lesson program about a year ago, and has been looking for loving, private homes for their schoolies. I doubt any would get a truely clean vet check, but they were staying sound working regularly.

Can you take a few lessons with another trainer who does help students look for horses? Even two or three evaluation lessons should give the trainer a good idea of your level, and having an experienced person along when you go shopping is priceless.

Good luck looking for your horse!

I agree that a horse does not need to be 100% sound. I just recommend that everyone get a vet check done prior to buying so they know what types of health issues (if any) that horse may have. You wouldn't buy a car without looking under the hood....same concept

 

[BostonBanker]

Oh, I agree with that, and wasn't trying to say that you shouldn't have a vet check done. I just worry when someone says that you need a horse who is 100% sound. I need one of those horses too! Yes, get a vet check. Know exactly what you are getting into. But don't expect perfection.

My horse didn't "pass" a vet check when I bought him at 3. He has OCD lesions on both hocks. I had three vets look at the x-rays, and all said that they shouldn't ever cause an issue. They were right - he's now 10, and xrays show no change in the lesions.

 

[bubbatd]

I too agree with BostonB ....When EliN was showing Hustler ( her $1, horse ) at an " A" show held at Churchill Downs, a storm caused about 10 horses to break out of their stalls ... Hustler one of them . When the vet was stitching up injuries incoured,,, he could only comment on his bowed tendons...something that never bothered him . He never would have been considered 100 % sound , but we never had to medicate him. Besides, in the show circuit you can't give drugs. BTW... when he filled the bill with us, he went on to a rider's therapy school ... I think he was at least 20 at that time.