hELP please??????

[Ludmilla]

I am really hoping someone can help me here and quickly.I am in love with an icelandic mare I have been having lessons on for two years.I know her really really well. She tolts beautifully and is a perfect dream to ride. I made an offer to buy her and the price was accepted so I had the vet come to do the vet check on her.When he did the flex test I was actually mounted on her.My question is....shouldn't a flex test be done whithout a rider on the horses back???That's what I have always thought.Second question..... the barn owners felt that the vet flexed the leg for way longer than he should have thus causing the mare to be lame.......The vet felt that she was having a problem and thus wanted me to hold off on the purchase. However I am back to riding her and she seems perfectly fine.The owners also feel that she is fine and had some one of thier own check her out and they had no problems when they did the flex test.I love her and feel she is fine but am now confused about the vet check.Can anyone please help me wuth this? Should the flex test be done without a rider? and how long should the leg be flexed for?I don't want to miss out on having this perfect angel as someone else is interested in buying her.HELP!!!!!!!! Thank you !!!

[Big Ears]

A flex test should be done dismounted - you would usually do this before even riding the horse, as if it failed that, you might not proceed for a full vetting.

Usually the vet would:-

check eyes, breathing, general look over
walk up and down, then trot
then flex test

then exercise to re-do breathing etc

Depending on what you want to use the horse for then mild unsoundness might not be an issue - i think you need to speak to the vet who did the test.

[pandapotato]

Is this a reputable vet that you trust?? If not, try another one.

My only comment is if you've been riding this horse for two years, then you know a lot about her already. A lot of people get vetchecks because they want to make sure the seller isn't hiding anything, or there is something you wouldnt notice right away. If you've been riding her for two years with no problems then taht alone make speak more then a vet check. Its always a good idea to get one to make sure there aren't other problems, but she's clearly been sound and healthy for a couple of years already. And if you're only going to continue with more of waht you've been doing with her for the last two years, I'd say you don't have much to worry about.

If the vet didn't find anything wrong, and you've been riding her for that long, I'd say you know much more then a normal buyer would ever be able to find out about a horse!

[miriam vernon]

I think you have to go with your gut feeling.

I bought a shetland/welsh cross for my children - the vet check came back that she had an asymmetrical jaw and will need regular rasping also that she is pen toed and may get lame with hard work. I bought her and have never regretted. The only problem you may have is insurance. They may put restrictions on it. Good Luck