vetting of an unfit horse?

[SO1]

Am thinking of going to see a youngster and asked the owner if it would pass a 5 stage vetting - response was it would pass stage 3 but 5 as they dont gallop their youngsters and he was a bit unfit and being gently brought back into work after being wintered out. Does this to you sound suspicious?

my understanding is that if you have a five stage vetting they consider the fitness level of the horse when they judge the time taken for its heart rate ect to return to normal.

If i did decide to just have the 3 stage what potentially could miss being picked up? I would prob still decide to have blood test and x rays as this does not involve galloping!

[Pink's lady]

my understanding is that if you have a five stage vetting they consider the fitness level of the horse when they judge the time taken for its heart rate ect to return to normal.


Pretty much - 5 stage isn't about fitness - it's about whether the horse breaks down during/after work.

They work the horse hard not just to check heart and lungs at exercise but to check soundness afterwards. The 'hard' is for that particular horse - I rode a horribly fit horse for a 5stage vetting once and having to canter her round and round until she was puffed nearly killed me:eek:

You could have a 'modified' 5stage and just miss out anything the horse can't do, which is what they usually do for a youngster - we had a kind of 4stage done on Kalli - looked at at rest and trotted up etc then lunged for 5mins to check her heart and soundness during work.

Just say to the vet that the horse is young and unfit so they might not be able to do a full 5stage. And the same to the owner - the vet will do as much as possible and the vetting isn't about fitness, only soundness and good heart and lungs. If they still aren't willing THEN I'd be supisious.

[Peanut]

My youngster's 5 stage vetting was tailored to her ability. As PL suggests, she was trotted up and lunged.

[SO1]

Thanks that is very helpful.

I am already a little suspicious as they have also said that horse has a knee that clicks although they have had this checked out by a vet who does not see this as problem, (though they do not say what is causing this).

I think I probably need to speak to these people a bit more before I decide whether its worth going to see the horse or not.

[notpoodle]

ha! hello :D thought that was you!

clicking knees doesnt sound so good! if said pony already sounds a little bit concerning, it might be better to locate other ones instead. i could send angel on a mission, but she's probably just find a nutty welsh D for you :D

Julia
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