Help! AIBU to buy this horse?

[Equestrianstress]

Shamelessly posting for traffic.

I’m so stressed about this and could really do with a second opinion! I’ve been searching for a new horse for a while and have quite a rigid criteria of what I’m looking for. I’ve seen a cracker of a horse- experienced with bs it’s the age, size and colouring I was looking for. Basically, it’s perfect.

the only drawback is that it’s ‘’been known to crib’’, which lets face it means it’s an absolutely obsessive cribber.

so my question- would this put you off? It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for and the market is so crap at the moment, previously I would NEVER have considered buying anything with any sort of vices because of the health and insurance implications, but this one has really caught my attention. Realistically it’s the type I could buy on Friday and compete on Saturday, it’s a really genuine horse.

I just don’t know what to do. I’ve been so stressed out about it all and I can’t sleep because I’m so undecided and stressed out- i would really welcome anyone’s thoughts or experiences!

( bloody hell I forgot how exhausting and stressful buying and selling horses is!)

I'd give it some serious thought before committing. Does your yard have any rules for horses with vices? If it cribs, are there any other situations it gets stressed in that haven't been disclosed? (eg left on the box at a show)
Try and be objective, buy with your head and not your heart.

I'd be wanting to know why it cribbed.

Frustration - boredom - pain.

Stabled for too long, not enough turn out... those can potentially be fixed fairly easily, but is horse easily stressed and frustrated?

Ulcers or some other gut pain is often a trigger for cribbing and wind-sucking, and that can be spendy and result in other behavioural problems.

If you're keeping horse at home and have total freedom to do what you want, when you want, the way you want - yeah.

If you're on a yard where you're going to have to do things someone elses way re stabling, turn out etc. Probably not.

It can be managed but it is a hard if not impossible vice to get rid of.
I have had 2 cribbers....bite proofed doors, kept him in full work, turned out alot and ad lib hay....
Never a problem, but, equally, I never had to sell.....and thats a potential problem if you come to sell him at a later time....a buyer will be asking the same question as you....

I know the two are not necessarily in tandem...but...for me, Wind Sucking is the bit that I find more of an issue ; One of my cribbers did this and I used a collar...but it was never really effective. so stopped. I had him at home so no one else was bothered but in a livery setting, other owners may be nervous about copying.

Also - Insurance issues may well arise if not declared...and I have known of Insurance cover being withheld for dental problems, and most importantly, Colic...which can be more likely in a Windsucker....though no idea about evidence based examples. Just be aware to consider this.

Incidentally, both horses were brilliant at their job and no problem ( apart from shredded stable doors until we made adjustments) and that old expression was ''As long as he does his job for me, I don't mind what he does in his spare time'

It depends on if his qualities outweigh these possible risk factors....always a tough call and good luck

Presumably he’s an ottb?

Is there a stable door with a metal strip on top on your yard ?

could you get him checked for ulcers in advance of purchase?

there are a couple of cribbers on our yard, both have high anxiety levels, can’t be left without being able to see another horse nearby and definitely can’t be left on their own in a field (even if others in the field right next to it)! One is underweight and constantly looks on edge, the other is extremely well looked after and loved, literally has the owners doing the absolute best for him but is in and out of work and loves to create a big vet bill 😬(he’s gorgeous though) 🤷‍♀️🤔

I wouldn’t dismiss I’m the horse if you manage the vice.
I bought a “sometimes difficult to catch” and she was but we worked on it (never became a good catch) and she was a perfect horse in every other way.

Of all the vices, it’d be the one I’d feel the happiest taking on. Ones under saddle that they ADMIT to - fuck that.

id suspect stomach ulcers which can be cured with lifestyle and diet - ie do NOT stable 24/7, feed 3x composite cereal mixes and ration hay!

Have you seen this article?
Nothing very new in it but you may find it helpful.
equusmagazine.com/behavior/thinking-about-cribbing/

If I was picky when buying horses, one of the last things I'd compromise on is cribbing!

My 'horse of a lifetime' cribbed, and in a way it was good because I wouldn't have afforded him if he wasn't BUT he suffered with colic his whole life and eventually died from it. So he brought a lot of joy but a lot of heartache. I know it's a anecdotal but he's the only cribber we've had and the only one with colic.

I would be very cautious..

To keep at home or on a livery yard? Many (most?) yards won't take a known cribber.

Cribbing very often points to pain, especially ulcers (but could also be hocks, suspensories, with a horse that's been extensively jumped, you name it really). My kids' pony started cribbing when she had undiagnosed PPID. She rarely does it now so long as she has ad lib forage. But some horses persist in the habit even after the initial issue has been resolved. Basically, we love our pony to pieces, but she's cost me a fortune in fencing. I wouldn't take on a known cribber that I wasn't already emotionally invested in.

colic was my main concern tbh, I’ve never had a cribber before but I’ve knew of someone with a windsucker and they swore they would never get another. Non stop colic. Anytime I’ve been buying I’ve given anything with vices a wide swerve but this one had caught my attention.

my concern is that the horse has a job at the moment and has jumped BS so is in full time work, and also is turned out and hasn’t been trapped in a stable yet it’s still cribbing. If it were stuck without turnout I could understand and excuse it from boredom but it’s not likely in this case. Probably just best to avoid.

Honestly, buying a horse is the most stressful thing ever. The market is so crap at the moment (obviously lame horses getting sold for 5 figures!) but I’m going to avoid this horse and keep looking.

thanks all

My friend has a horse that cribs, the vet can't say for certain, but has hinted, it might (or might not) be the reason he also has pyloric ulcers.

Very wise to move on and look for something else.
I walked away from a perfect pony as he came up lame on the vetting. Why pay heaps of money for something that could potentially cost a fortune in vet fees?

market is poor at the moment, but could bounce back due to cost of living rises. Those people who were furloughed in lockdown and had time on their hands so bought a horse, may now find that they are struggling time and maybe money wise to afford to keep the horse. More horses on the market should mean the price will start to drop.
keep looking and good luck.

Nah I'd walk away. Although many wouldn't, I've seen horses being sold for fairly big amounts despite having issues the person has disclosed. He'll be bought by someone.

I have noticed horses are struggling to shift though. Even good dealers are struggling.

Would depend on the reason - if it's pain related, not a chance. If it's anxiety/a compulsive behaviour, then yes I would go for it, on balance. Has the horse been checked for ulcers? If it's anxiety, would you have the space and means for a companion animal? Maybe a shetland or a goat? It can be really transformative for compulsive stable behaviours.

Walk away.
I may have this wrong, but it sounds like you have not even met this horse yet?
If that's so, you're investing far too much head space on him!

He's in active work & is still cribbing. You're not going to cure the poor lad's vice, & you will either be ceaselessly worrying about it, or shelling out on vet bills while ... ceaselessly worrying about it.

It's bad enough that his current owners put it in the advert! Likely to protect themselves with "caveat emptor" as soon as his next owner sees how bad it is.