Mumsnet Talk

5 stage with x-rays. Knowing what I know now about arthritis and how many are destroyed aged 5/6 due to starting work too soon and how many people will sell them on in between cortisone injections... I would never buy again without x-rays.

I did two stage on my then 16yo but anything younger/pricier I would have gone for 5 stage.

I have recently discovered you don't actually need a vetting for a horse costing less than £5k!!

I have decided to go with 5 stage vetting as figured I am forking out a substantial amount for the horse so may as well go the additiona £320 (gulp) that it costs. Thanks for the advice, lets just hope it passes!!!

Some insurers I believe only take a 5 stage - don't quote me on that though. I've always had a 5 stage done, on both horses and on dpony, I just wasn't prepared to take the risk, and didn't have enough confidence in my own judgement.

The difference between 2 and 5 stage (if you have bloods done anyway as insurance against sedatives/painkillers) are: a) the horse will be given strenuous exercise and then b) after a period of rest will be trotted up again and possibly given flexion tests.

Depends if you think - given the extra money - this is what you need.

Stage 5, no question. you still need a healthy horse even for hacking & lessons!

We usually pay around that much for ponies and we go for 2 stage with blood test. I guess it depends on how much more the 5 stage is going to cost you. We've usually found that with young animals the flexion tests etc aren't really worth the extra but depends on cost and your peace of mind.

5 stage, you have nothing to lose. At this young age she should pass with flying colors. Not wanting to compete is irrelevant as at this age and price she should not have any problems or niggles and physically she should be capable of competing whether you are interested in doing this or not if you see what I mean. At the same time 5 is not that terribly young and I would expect her to stand up to 2-3 schooling sessions and 2-3 hacks a week as long as you kept everything short and sweet, so again I would tell the vet to be critical. This is not an older horse you want to retire to gentle hacking but a young horse that should be sound for a busy life ahead of her.

Hope she passes!

Hello, I have just found a lovely little mare that I would like to buy and will be arranging her vetting this week. She is a 5 year old cob that I will be using for hacking and weekly/fortnightly lessons (due to her age). No interest in hunting, competitions and so on, mainly as I am not brave enough . What stage vetting would you mumsnetters be having?? I will be paying £4000 for her. She will be blood tested with both options.
Thanks for any wisdom you may have.