Pony failed Stage 2 Vet

[Smithlets80]

Just had a tiny and reasonably priced pony vetted this morning and it is sound in every way.....except the vet saw that the vessels around the optic disc are slightly smaller than normal. The vet said that he had to check it at least twice and that the stable wasn't really dark enough. He was satisfied that the pony could see well and it's sight reflexes were good and it was only a slight concern. WWYD?

Don't really know what your voting options mean and I'm no expert but I think I would want to question the vet more about their findings - was the 'narrowing'
/small vessels in one or both eyes? How old is the pony?

Assuming not just an error due to lack of dark space, I would want to know whether they suspect optic nerve atrophy due to something potentially progressive like glaucoma or repeated infections, in which case obviously even if pony can see OK now there's potential for him to go blind and become near enough unusable, or do they think it's something that's always been there i.e. a slight congenital abnormality or a past trauma now healed? If the latter it might be worth taking a chance (although bear in mind you'll probably have a substantial exclusion on your insurance now so would probably want a discount on purchase price), although if it's a child's pony obviously you'd want to be very cautious about anything which could affect behaviour. Not being able to see properly would be a big trigger for anxiety driven issues! I take it seller hasn't disclosed any relevant past history? What has the pony been used for previously and has he moved around much or always been with same seller/same home?

If I could afford the vet bills without insurance I’d go ahead but I’ve bought 2 horses in the past that have failed vetting ( and one that I didn’t)

If a pony fails on soundness, or other major reasons, I’m very much a ‘walk away, there’ll be another one’ person. But eyes, I am a bit more relaxed about if the pony has been living with reduced vision, it is only one eye, and the price reflects this.

My mother’s showjumper would win speed classes with only one eye, and earlier this year I took part on a major international adventure race and did well on a one eyed horse. Much of the competition was held at night. The horse did not have any trouble - he did not stand on me, or trip on tough terrain, and he had no trouble knowing where to sniff for treats!

It really is down to your own perception of risk though.

Thanks to everyone who has commented. We be read through the vet’s report and it does seem to be in both eyes. Nothing disclosed by the owner and the pony is quite young. I have had a chat with the vet and he has said that’s it is only a slight concern and if it were for an adult, he would have passed it no issues. As it is for children then he has been more cautious. I agree with the PO about soundness as I have walked away from horses in the past. This little one is perfect I’m every other way.

If it became a problem do you have the finances to keep a field ornament?

What are you wanting to do with the pony?