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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

vetting

19 replies

booksinbed · 01/07/2012 22:44

is it an absolute necessary - our pony due to come this week!!!- a fr

iend who knows ponys said she looks sound but she cant tel re heart etc obvoiulsy.the prev owner showed current owner a vet check she had done and i do trust the seller. native breed - conemara.thankyou !!

OP posts:

Mirage · 02/07/2012 08:29

We've not bothered with dpony and the new one we are buying.Both were cheap and we have bought from people we trusted [I know,never trust a horse person].If I was spending £1500 upwards I would.

Original poster

booksinbed · 02/07/2012 09:20

i trust them but paying 3,0000....................thanks x

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buttercupyellow · 02/07/2012 10:53

Insurance companies usually ask for a vet's certificate so it's worth checking what level of vetting they require. If you're paying £3K I'd probably play it safe and get it vetted. It's not just about trusting the sellers. The pony may have an underlying condition that hasn't shown itself yet but could cost you big time in the future.

frostyfingers · 02/07/2012 11:45

Yep, I would vet, even if only the basic 3 stage, especially at that price.

Mirage · 02/07/2012 13:32

Yes,I'd vet at that price,and especially if it was meant to be doing a certain job,ie showjumping,eventing ect.

horseylady · 02/07/2012 13:34

Go with your gut instinct. I didn't with either of mine but knew or knew of both the sellers!!! Both have been fine from
What would be covered. Another friend bought a horse and lost her 2 years later with navicular etc.

I think I would say have a vet check but depends on the situation!!

Original poster

booksinbed · 02/07/2012 14:40

frosty what is the basic three stage vet test please.

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Treblesallround · 02/07/2012 15:26

We had a five stage vetting on first pony, he failed and we ended up loaning him before we bought him, once we sure he was ok and it was just lameness on the day. We haven't vetted any of the others because they were cheaper, and with DH's mare we knew there were sidebones and saw the vet's report from then. I knew my mare for a year before I bought her so was satisfied about her health, and new pony was very cheap

I wouldn't spend £3000 without vetting though. If she's worth that much in the current market she must be a very nice pony

frostyfingers · 02/07/2012 20:59

Two stage vetting, sorry! I had it as three in my mind. Here's a link which explains fairly well what's involved. I just googled it, don't know the vet or anything. www.cliffeequine.co.uk/Vetting.aspx. The only thing I am slightly wary of are flexion tests, particularly if the pony is a bit old...take the results of that alongside other tests, not on its' own. It can be quite common to fail a flexion test - if you use a vet you trust then they should give you a good idea of whether the pony is suitable.

Booboostoo · 02/07/2012 22:16

Vet bills for a cheap pony are just as expensive as those for an expensive pony. The only time I would not vet is if I wanted a companion animal (and I keep mine at home so one more is not that costly).

You might as well have a five stage vetting, it won't pick all and every problem the pony might have in the future but it could pick up any issues it has now.

Butkin · 02/07/2012 22:33

We always do the two stage vetting and take a blood sample. As mentioned above your insurers may require it - especially if covering for vets fees.

QuietTiger · 03/07/2012 10:48

We bought a cob in April, known source, totally trustworthy seller who would have taken him back if there were any problems (bought from a good friend). We were having him, regardless of the vetting results (Because he's gorgeous and cheeky and fab). For insurance purposes we had a 2 stage vetting done & we fully expected him to go clear at the vetting, which he did. A number of people asked us why we bothered.

BUT it means that if we ever have to claim vets fees from our insurance company, they can't argue that the problem is a pre-existing condition. The vetting cost £200-ish, which may well be money saved if it comes down to insurance companies and vets fees.

Original poster

booksinbed · 03/07/2012 15:55

thanks all.! found out e and l insurance dont penalise if not vetted if pony costs less than 5,000,just for info .thanks again xx

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Backinthebox · 03/07/2012 22:04

A quick word of advice - please do a bit of research about E&L insurance. The only things I have ever heard about them are very bad things. They refused to pay out on a horse on my old yard because the vet put the horse to sleep before getting their permission (it was a Sunday and the E&L office was closed.) They argued the vet could have waited till Monday morning, but the horse had collapsed and was in great distress. I would not touch E&L with a bargepole.

Mirage · 04/07/2012 08:20

Yes,I agree with Backinthebox E&L have a terrible reputation and a lot of vets won't deal with them at all.Have a look on the Horse and Hound forums,there is plenty about E&L on there.

Booboostoo · 04/07/2012 17:31

Ditto what the others said. E&L comes up constantly on HHO as a problem insurer who doesn't pay up.

Original poster

booksinbed · 04/07/2012 17:49

thanks all - any alternative reommendetion//cant afford patplan its 50 quid a month

OP posts:

Mirage · 04/07/2012 19:01

NFU aren't to expensive and do pay up,I've heard good things about SEIB and KBIS too.

Butkin · 04/07/2012 20:17

We have been with KBIS for years - they may be quite expensive but they do pay up and are very helpful and flexiable. Class acts.

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