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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Disclosing vet history to buyer

45 replies

Cobrider · 29/05/2018 17:13

I am the buyer, I am going to be vague as it would be quite identifying if I give how this situation has evolved in more detail.
Five stage vetting, vet has asked for previous record, owner refused, I am now suspicious.
I suspect that the vet knows there has been an issue and trying to force the owners hand.
Owner is friend of a friend, it’s quite an awkward situation.
I love the horse, just what I wanted, it is known locally for its good nature and eventing.
I probably should walk away or am I being too hard on the owner?

OP posts:
LadyLance · 29/05/2018 18:06

It does sound like the owner has something to hide but if nothing has come up on the vetting, and you really like the horse then I wouldn't necessarily walk away.

As the owner is a friend of a friend, could you have a frank conversation with them about how you can't afford to buy a horse that will end up going lame, but you wouldn't be put off by a manageable issue or something that's come up in the past but has since been resolved. If they're still cagey, or can't come up with a reasonable explanation, I would walk away.

PoshPenny · 29/05/2018 18:21

Prepare to walk away, I wonder if your vet noticed some scarring on the legs or something and wants to establish the cause. They don't have to disclose it but I'd be concerned that they are refusing to.

Theresahairbrushinthefridge · 29/05/2018 20:00

I have had two recent vettings for purchases using the sellers vets. For me the fact that they had to disclose was an excellent reason for using them. I was also out of region for my own vet. In both cases there were no problems and we have bought two super family horses.

Can you bypass and get their vet to do the vetting. Then they are acting for you and you get full disclosure. If vendor not happy, then they are hiding something. So walk away.

mrslaughan · 29/05/2018 21:48

I don't know what I would do - it really depends on what your paying, if your planning on insuring etc.....

One time when vetting a pony - my vet and vendors vet were the same - so I got to see the vet history- absolutely nothing to worry about. Flew through the vetting - so incredibly sound. Within 6weeks was showing signs of lameness - within 3 months 3/10ths lame (back end - hock). He was insured - huge investigation, thank goodness he was insured, discovered arthritis in his hock. Specialist vet believes he had been injected - that's how he flew through the vetting. We had had bloods taken, but didn't persue it, the previous owner had obviously gone to great lengths to conceal it, used a different vet , from her regular vet (I have a good relationship with our vet and they had casually talked about them - they obviously had a long term relationship). So just because you have seen (or not in your situation) the vet records - it doesn't mean that you will know everything.
I would try and talk to the owner, I know some regularly inject their competition horses to keep them sound..... and it's really common on the continent. It maybe that, it maybe nothing .

Original poster
Cobrider · 29/05/2018 21:54

Sorry, I didn’t check back as thought my post was too boring. Vetting not been done yet, owners vet refused due to conflict of interest. Don’t want to shell out £400 if I think I should walk away before vetting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cobrider · 29/05/2018 21:55

I really love this horse though. You are right, anything could happen after a perfect vetting. Owner seems lovely

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Original poster
Cobrider · 29/05/2018 21:56

I have also heard that some dodgy people use one vet for vaccinations etc and a different one for problems to evade disclosure too.

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Yellowpokadotbikini · 29/05/2018 22:07

Trust your head in this one and walk away, somethings clearly not right. Everyone knows horses get bumps and cuts, clearly they are trying to hide something if they won't disclose previous vet records. The horse may seem perfect but there will be another out there just as perfect, with a full medical history to go with it Smile

LadyLance · 29/05/2018 22:26

How is the horse priced otherwise? If it's slightly low for what it is, or if you think the owner might be open to an offer, I'd at least do the vetting. If you really love the horse, it might be worth buying one with a historical issue and taking that risk.

How would you feel if the horse became unsound in six months? In a year?

As it's a friend of a friend, could you ask around and see if anyone knows anything?

I do think it's odd to refuse, and does suggest an issue, but then some people (especially some horsey people) are just odd. Have you asked the owner why they've refused? If it's a friend of a friend, then I think you can. Their reaction might tell you what you need to know.

Original poster
Cobrider · 29/05/2018 23:23

It’s not a cheap horse, upper end towards 10k (not cheap to me anyway), well trained, beautiful manners and paces.
I can’t really involve the friend I don’t think.
Yes to some horsey people being odd Grin

OP posts:
Claystone · 30/05/2018 10:09

What is the owner trying to hide? Previous ulcer diagnosis? Something claimed for on insurance in the past? I'd walk away.

villainousbroodmare · 30/05/2018 10:13

owners vet refused due to conflict of interest.
Walk away.

Blankscreen · 30/05/2018 10:15

The seller is clearly trying to hide something. You don't want a horse however lovely it seems now that you can't take out and enjoy.

The fact it's a friend of a friend acting like this makes me even more suspicious.

The fact the owners vet refused due to a conflict on interest says to me there is something wrong which means they couldn't comfortably sign the horse off for you knowing its history, and the owner isn't happy to disclose its history. That tells you everything you need to know!!

GorgeousGeorge14 · 30/05/2018 10:16

It is tricky as if it was a serious, long-term issue, it would show up on the vetting. (unless ulcers) Were you planning on having bloods and X-rays? Some insurance companies will insist on them for a £10k+ horse. I would be prepared to walk away if the owner won't disclose previous records to spare your heartbreak later down the line. I know its hard to find a good one though, so that is easier said than done.

Wolfiefan · 30/05/2018 10:17

They're trying to hide something. This horse could well end up costing you many thousands more than the purchase cost and then needing to be PTS.
Save yourself the heartache.

LadyLance · 30/05/2018 11:14

I was sort of expecting you to say they were looking for 5K or less- At 10K I would definitely expect a full veterinary history as standard and that's a lot of money to lose if the horse later develops a problem.

With that kind of budget you can absolutely find another lovely horse, so I would definitely walk away.

Theresahairbrushinthefridge · 30/05/2018 13:40

That is a lot of money for what is presumably a competition level horse. You have a lot of choice at that price bracket. I would be very careful.

RatherBeRiding · 30/05/2018 13:55

At that price I'd walk away. There are a lot of good competition horses in the upper price bracket where you are going to get a lot more co-operation. No way would I buy a horse at that sort of money without the owner being prepared to disclose absolutely all vet history.

Original poster
Cobrider · 30/05/2018 15:03

No not ulcers, sorry for sounding vague, it would need X-rays. Owner won’t disclose previous ones, known locally very well and to be honest, it’s bizarre but I agree sounds dodgy.
Vetting plus X-rays etc will be £1100, yes if over 10k insurance company want them but it’s just under.
Interesting that you would expect full vet history for that. I can’t see any reason not to unless trying to hide something.
Thanks for all your thoughts on it, I am feeling more inclined to walk away.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cobrider · 30/05/2018 15:04

Sorry yes was having bloods done.

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Original poster
Cobrider · 30/05/2018 15:05

And also interesting that it would not be unreasonable for me to ask, thanks again.

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UrsulaPandress · 30/05/2018 15:09

If they won't disclose then they are definitely hiding something.

Walk away.

Sorry.

Claystone · 30/05/2018 15:31

To be honest I'd give anyone buying one of my horses a full vet history, chapter and verse. Nothing to hide and I'd want them to know everything because the welfare of my horses and a good home and future for them would be my priority. Sounds like the seller wants rid and wants the cash.

mrslaughan · 30/05/2018 17:48

With that extra info - I would walk away.....esp at that price. As even if you did insure, if you made a big claim, and the insurance company managed to get hold of the history, it may become a big headache.

For me though - its the time and energy you put into developing the relationship with the horse, that if it has some undisclosed limiting issue that comes up at a later date, is wasted.

There are plenty of less complicated horses out there (in terms of history)

backinthebox · 30/05/2018 19:00

A seller with nothing to hide wouldn't refuse your request. My friend had a vetting done and the vet observant young vet who carried it out noticed a thin long scar with white hairs directly underneath the horse's tummy. The vendor said it was probably from tack rubbing, but when told it was well behind the girth area and in an area consistent with colic surgery the vendor clammed up, refused to disclose any veterinary history and the sale fell through. I would be suspicious of any seller refusing to disclose history.