Henry failed the vet but....

[Cathy Reynolds]

Henry (16.1 9 yr gelding IDx) failed the vet yesterrday (lame after flexion right fore especially when lunged on tight circle). Owners were horrified, and swore he'd never shown signs before etc. Vet (young, NZ trained and VERY GOOD) was very nice about it. We'd had horse boxed over to the yard as there was space to do all the running up in trot etc. So he was sent away again. We were all gutted. After I'd got to work, I got a call from the yard. Vet had said 'You know, you ought to go back in 2 weeks, lunge it and if he's sound, buy it 'cos he's so lovely otherwise'. My hubbie suggested we ring the owners and see if we could have him on loan for a month to get him fit (he has been roughed off and is very overweight) and do our best to ensure he passes the vet - and also ensure he doesn't get a helping hand with Bute - though we would of course get bloods taken.. And they were fine about it. And they brought him back. So he's on the yard, and behaving like an absolute ANGEL. I took him out for his first hack at lunchtime - only 20 minutes at walk, and his walk is like Millie's at Heather's for any of you who have ridden there. He seems sound and is stretching out nicely. Goodness knows what our farrier will say when he sees the standard of his shoes and the vet who rasped his teeth only 5 weeks ago left hooks front and back (our vet is Equine Dentist-trained and knows what she is doing - the owner was disgusted and furious when she gently told him what she'd found.

Now I have to very business-like for the next month, do all I can to get him fit and keep my fingers crossed.

PS Don't think owners are pulling a fast one, as they have asked our yard manager to do some freelance schooling for them as a result of visiting the yard and watching her, and me, ride Henry. They are desperate for him to come to the yard, as they will be able to come over and ride on our rides and see him.

[KarinUS]

I was ready to take my new horse home last Monday, but he did poorly at the vet check (right hind). (Un)fortunately we had additional info from the farrier, who knew the horse, that led us to believe a re-check in 10 days would have not made a difference, so I had to pass...

It's very stressful. I wish you both Good Luck for the re-check in 2 weeks. Did you have it x-rayed?

:)

[Janice Corbett]

My mare failed her VET check on a hind limb flexion test - but I had lost my nerve with a previous horse and liked her so much (she just 'felt' like the right horse for me) I bought her anyway. Almost seven years later having done MILES of distance riding she has never once been lame. She's now in her early twenties and we still often do 40+ miles hacks. Sometimes in the morning she's a bit stiff so for the last 6 months has been on a supplement which seems to have relieved her stiffness.

I guess if you're buying a horse to event you wouldn't buy one who failed a flexion test - personally I don't rate this particular test at all, and even my Vet says it's dubious.
Jx

[Sue Carnell]

Hi Cathy,

According to my vet, the flexion test can only really indicate that there might be a problem in an otherwise sound horse, but not necessarily that there is one. It can depend a lot on how the vet does it. If this horse was lunged in a tight circle after a heavy flexion, the test itself could have made him ouchy. Could even relate to his poorly shod feet. The usual recommendation if something shows up in a flexion test in a horse that is otherwise sound and the buyer is still interested, is to take x-rays/scans of the joint involved. As you're still interested in him and have him at home with you, that's what I'd recommend you do myself. Perhaps ponyvet can elaborate a bit more, or put me right if I'm wrong. Good luck, he sounds lovely.

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[floppy]

with my horses flexion tests she was just sent away in a trot in a striaght line as soon as her leg was released.

[cvb]

Hi

My horse did not fail first time, but got a comment because she took a stride or so too long to recover. They retested about a week later (having cut out some of the oats in her feed !) and she passed no problem.

Seems to me that the vet HAS to comment on what they see on the day, because it is their professional reputation. But somethings can be managed to not be a problem.

If it still shows on the retest, that perhaps you do what Sue suggested and get x-rays ?

[Lucy J]

maybe I am wrong here, but I sometimes take what the vets say with a pinch of salt. I never had my old horse vetted and the only time he was lame or ill was when he had laminitis and one allergy he used to get once a year (cause unknown)

I look at a horses conformation, teeth, how quickly they recover breathing after exercise and their soundness.

Unless a horse is for top level competition I do not pay much attention to all these nitty gritty tests. I understand for less experienced people it may be necessary, but in comprehensive vets tests I'll bet you could find some fault with almost any horse. THe horse should be vetted with regards to the work it is expected to perform.

When I look at a horse I know it is right for me. I do always go for a horse that is registered though as at least you know what you are told is to some extent correct

[Maria]

Flexion tests don't always produce consistent results. A friend bought a horse last year and he passed the vet. She then sold him on again - nothing wrong with him she just decided she couldn't bear to sell her other horse who he was bought to replace. The horse failed a flexion test for the new buyer. He was tested again two weeks later - by a different vet - and passed.

I'm not a vet but I think a lot of it is to do with the way the vet conducts the test.

You should check that this initial "failure" isn't going to cause you any problems with your horse insurance.

I didn't have my horse vetted when I bought her 5 years ago. She came from a riding school and I'd known her for over a year and on advice from the owner and others re her previous health record there seemed no need. I've not regretted that choice - and she owes me nothing now.

Maria

[Aly]

It is not often that a horse will pass on a flexion test from my experience. My current horse was the only one in a string of horses I have had that has ever passed. It has never stopped me buying these horses before, but then again, most of these horses I knew their history well and didn't pay alot of money for them.

I suggest if you are really serious about the horse then you either
1) have xrays done to confirm if and what the problem is.......or
2) take the chance and buy the horse after rechecking him in 10 days.

At the end of the day, if it is a nice horse then I believe it is worthwhile spending the money on having a full set of xrays done regardless especially if you are spending a lot on the horse, or if you are planning to event, jump or show the horse.

At 9 this horse has many many years of "useful" (for want of a better word) life ahead of him, so it is worth knowing what you are getting into.
Cheers! Goodluck with the horse, he sounds wonderful, and your husband sounds like a great person, showing an interest in your horsie endeavour.

:D

[Cathy Reynolds]

Thanks for all the posts. He actually had scans in Newmarket last year, but they belong to previous owners to current ones (long story, nothing to worry). Vet is actually very supportive - so is the NFU insurance man (you should hear his view on flexion tests) and Henry is insured just apart from the leg - wouldn't even hear of me paying a premium till end-May till sorted out. Have had Bioscan people on the yard today so Henry now has a knee pad on loan which has lots of little red lights in it 20 minutes twice a day - I'm science-trained but I'll try anything!

I took Hannah to the yard this evening. She knew nothing about Henry, if you'd seen her face when I walked him over! We went on our first hack together, met a couple of dogs and a Transit van - what a breeze. Iwas quite nervy, but having Hannah around took my mind off 650 kilos (I guess) of unpredictable horseflesh. His walk is so big Benny had to trot most of the way. She fed him tonight, he got a goodnight kiss as big as Benny (my heart was in my mouth 'cos Henry had his head down in his dinner, but not a peep when she hung round his neck).

We shall see.

[ros]

Hey, Cathy - I have this sneaking suspicion that, flexion test or not, Henry's not leaving your yard!