arthritis question - Health & Supplements - Health & Supplements - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Posted : 4/7/2011 3:40:44 AM

Hello Everyone,

Sorry, I know that this isn't a hoof question.
I have a gelding that turns 14 soon, that I put up for sale not to long ago since I don't have the funds to support a horse and myself at the moment. I had someone inquire about purchasing him, and they said they had wanted to buy him 8 years ago but that he didn't pass his vet check. When I asked why, they said that the vet said he had fairly advanced arthritis for a horse his age, and since he was their first horse and they were new to showing they sent him back to the owner.

Myself and my farm manager find this quite odd. I've never had any lameness (apart from an injury), heat, or inflammation problems. This is a horse we've taken out on 2-4 hour long fast paced trail rides with none of the above mentioned, and whose never shown any reluctance to work the next day. He's also come on and off work since I moved far away and hasn't moved any differently. No noted stiffness or moody responses to riding that may indicated pain/discomfort.

Anyone have any ideas of what I should be looking for, if anything? Or could it be he was just having an 'off' day and the vet took it as arthritis? He does have slight sickle hocks, but they haven't hindered him in any way the four years I've owned him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Catie

face

Posted : 4/7/2011 8:51:41 AM

Perhaps she is mistaken and it is not the same horse. The only way yo are going to truly find out is to have your vet out. Perhaps the vet from years ago they used was clueless.

Connie

Posted : 4/7/2011 9:33:53 AM

We had a super gelding for about ten years. Every time the blacksmith trimmed him (the last few years) he would remark that the horse had an issue in one of the joints in his rear leg. He never took a bad step and rode beautifully. When we finally made the decision that he was too old to be a "weekend warrior", we sent him to a friend who had a customer looking for a walk/trot lesson horse. I asked how he did and he said the stable owner said he had an excellent mind for children, was a super walk/trot horse but could only canter properly on one lead. The joint issue only showed up at the canter on that lead. Since we only pleasure ride, and my husband never cared which lead the horse was on, it never bothered us.

Maybe this is what the person meant. It all depends on how and where you ride. A horse that is a super pleasure horse might not be a super show horse.

Almost forgot. WELCOME TO OUR FORUM.

missyclare

Posted : 4/9/2011 9:57:01 PM

Do you know this person that came to look at him? If they were the potential buyers, they would have had a vet inspection before purchasing back then. If anything was "iffy" at the time, then a set of xrays certainly would have been done. I'd want to see those xrays and speak to the vet that took them.
If you are not having any problems with his soundness, then I wouldn't worry about it. I would speak of his performance in truthful terms and not mention this "visit". It will be a new potential owner's responsibility to get xrays for this purchase. If you are certain that this horse is sound and moving well, always have been, then sell him as such....period.
You never know, this person could have been trying to get you to lower the price on him before the dickering even started. You know what you have.....stand firm.