Buying a pony that has had a suspensory injury previously?

[Lalalalalalalalaland]

We have been looking forever for a pony for DD who is 7

Finally found one thst seems perfect in most ways however she has previously had a suspensory injury. She is back in work now and seems fine.

First time buyers here so unsure whether i should not touch it with a barge pole, is the likelyhood of re-injury high?

Will obviously be getting a full vetting prior to money exchanging hands. Shes 13 years old, 13.1 new forest cross. Priced at 2k

Really difficult to say. Some recover better than others - a lot will depend on the severity of the original injury and what you will be using the pony for. I have known horses come back from suspensory injury very successfully and go on to compete but i would really want to speak to the original treating vet if possible.

I have a pony currently rehabbing after hind leg suspensory injury. He's been out of work a looooong time but is now sound and doing quite a lot of work - but all in straight lines or else cantering/trotting large round the edge of a field. He isn't allowed in the arena just yet, and no schooling or jumping although that will come. Unless he does something to re-injure the original injury, there's no reason why he won't be back out competing again but obviously I would never risk him on bad ground.

Worth trying to speak to the original vet as to the severity of the injury and how he's been rehabbed,

Hmm, for me depends a bit on what you want to do with her, how long she's been back in work without re-occurrence and what kind of work.

If you/DD mainly want to potter about, hack etc and she's been back in work 12 months + then maybe, but if she wants to jump, do XC, bomb around at camp and the pony has been in light work for 3 months, then maybe not. The price is interesting - £2k is significantly less than a really good PC first ridden pony of the same age without the injury would be worth, so in some ways it is tempting to take the risk. But any insurance will certainly exclude that leg, so if she breaks down again your options are going to be quite limited- will you have funds for treatment and/or a replacement pony if need be?

TBH I'd be wary purely because I tend to get so attached to my horses and have ended up with too many having to be PTS young or end up as expensive pets (upsetting in different ways!), so personally am uber cautious about anything with problems, but if your budget is limited you are going to have to accept some compromise so at least paying to see what the vet says might be an investment worth taking?

It's a hard one - our first pony for my daughter aged 8 was a 20 year old safe as houses but had cushings plus other ailments. He was fantastic but we knew that we could never sell him on and he would live his retirement with us.
Others have gone for much younger but have had problems leading to the children giving up and losing interest due to being too much.
My daughter is still riding and loving it aged 17!