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Original poster

Would you bother getting this pony vetted?

36 replies

couraggio · 31/12/2024 14:46

20-year old 13.2hh Welsh B, has cushings and is on one prascend a day. No vet history in current home (2 years) and owner has said we can check vet records and have a Pony Club reference. Only a few thousand pounds (including tack). Lovely mum owner who seems very trustworthy.

Pony is to be used for all low-level Pony Club activities and won’t be jumping bigger than 50cm any time soon (apparently his upper limit is about 60cm).

Other than typical cushings signs (slight fat pads in places and slightly curly coat) pony looked fine to me (I like to think I would be able to notice most lameness/stiffness although obviously I am not a vet!).

I don’t think I’d bother with a 5 stage vetting for a pony of this age/value but wondering if it’s worthwhile getting a 2 stage vetting?

Any opinions welcome - we have always loaned this far so would love to know what you would do in this situation!

OP posts:
Whatabouthow · 31/12/2024 15:10

I wouldn't get him vetted, but I also wouldn't buy him. He sounds lovely, but really at that age full loan is a more typical thing for an owner to do. You'd still be responsible for all of the vet costs though obviously.

Whatabouthow · 31/12/2024 15:11

To add, I wouldn't get him vetted because he'd fail. He's old, he has a metabolic condition, he's going to have various creaky joints. That's totally normal, but what additional info would you expect a vetting to provide?

AgMaggy · 31/12/2024 15:12

A few thousand?! Are pony prices really that crazy as it doesn’t sound worth that at all.

BotterMon · 31/12/2024 15:13

Nope wouldn't get him vetted, however would get bloods done before parting with any money to check on Cushings and whether anything else going on. Do you have the facilities to manage a pony with cushings who is at a higher risk of lami? Prascend is also bloody expensive so negotiate on price or better get it on loan and owner pays for meds.

Original poster
couraggio · 31/12/2024 16:30

We would love a loan but there are not many loan ponies available and unfortunately my DD is quite a nervous rider so she needs a very particular type of pony (steady, push-button and quirk-free) - which this one seems to be.

We can manage restricted grazing at the livery yard.

OP posts:
sanityisamyth · 31/12/2024 16:32

I wouldn't get him vetted but I wouldn't pay more than 1k. I bought DS's pony slightly older but no health issues for £900 including tack and rugs ...

lastqueenofscotlandagain · 31/12/2024 18:17

I wouldn't get him vetted but I'd only expect to pay three figures

GettingTricky · 01/01/2025 11:29

I don't think his Cushing's is under control if he's still showing symptoms, and he may have EMS too. I wouldn't get him vetted, but I'd probably have a vet come and look him over.
I'd definitely haggle on the price though.

nottoplan · 01/01/2025 11:47

I wouldn’t get him vetted but I wouldn’t buy his either , you are buying yourself heart ache and vets bills

britnay · 01/01/2025 12:04

I would get him 2-stage vetted. This would bring up anything that hadn't been spotted before, so you have something to work with. Also make sure blood is tested, so you know where you are with the cushings. It may be that his prascend dosage needs adjusting. It might be helpful if you work out how much it will cost to keep him on prascend each year. If he is 20, then he could live another 10-20 years potentially.

3smallpups · 01/01/2025 12:05

Agree with all the above
I have no problem with buying fit older ponies, have done it myself for the kids
But Cushing is actually a serious illness, it could get worse at any time. It doesn't sound well controlled if you can see signs.Also the medication and vet checks are not cheap.
I think it's a very cheeky sale
Needs to be loan or token payment for tack

oakleaffy · 01/01/2025 12:13

couraggio · 31/12/2024 16:30

We would love a loan but there are not many loan ponies available and unfortunately my DD is quite a nervous rider so she needs a very particular type of pony (steady, push-button and quirk-free) - which this one seems to be.

We can manage restricted grazing at the livery yard.

That’s a crazy price for an aged pony who could potentially change character with a nervous rider.

He could become very expensive to keep, and uninsurable.

WorriedRelative · 01/01/2025 12:14

I wouldn't vet it.

I wouldn't be inclined to pay much, not due to the age (I know a few people who had many wonderful years with veterans) but due to the cushings which will be an ongoing cost.

I appreciate safe ponies are like goId dust but so are nice homes for elderly ponies with health issues. I think you should negotiate.

oakleaffy · 01/01/2025 12:19

WorriedRelative · 01/01/2025 12:14

I wouldn't vet it.

I wouldn't be inclined to pay much, not due to the age (I know a few people who had many wonderful years with veterans) but due to the cushings which will be an ongoing cost.

I appreciate safe ponies are like goId dust but so are nice homes for elderly ponies with health issues. I think you should negotiate.

Absolutely true.
A good home for an old pony?
They should loan him , the thousands then can go towards ongoing vet’s fees.

Original poster
couraggio · 01/01/2025 12:41

Thanks all. I don’t mind the ongoing costs of prascend and I don’t mind paying £3.5K and not getting any of it back when DD has outgrown him.

But your comments have made me have a think about what we do with him in two or three years when DD has outgrown him, as we don’t have our own land (we keep our ponies on a livery yard). I’d happily just loan him out but some of your comments have made me wonder how easy it will be to find a loan home! If we couldn’t find one, we’d be facing potentially many years paying thousands a year for retirement livery…

OP posts:
Original poster
couraggio · 01/01/2025 12:42

On the other hand, isn’t it very common for ponies in their 20s to get cushings?

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/01/2025 12:45

So this lovely trustworthy owner who bought him at 18yo , why is she selling him? After only keeping him 2 years . Buying an elderly pony , they should be his forever home .Especially knowing his health issues .
Did the advert run something like "great retirement wanted for this amazing pony who is 100% bombproof and will give his next rider the confidence "?

Looks like she wants to palm him off now that she's had her two years from him. And the £££ is to "ensure that he goes to a good home" Hmm

If she is genuine about his future and if she knows that you would take great care of him then a loan is a better option all round .

*Not what you asked regarding vetting but my neck hairs are a bit raised

Original poster
couraggio · 01/01/2025 12:59

@70isaLimitNotaTarget I think people have different views on it. At what age does it become immoral to sell them on? And is it always immoral to sell them on if they have a condition like cushings? We’ve been looking for a while and seen quite a few in their 20s (including some with cushings) being sold.

They are selling because the rider wants to jump higher than 60cm, which is his comfortable max. They also keep their ponies at a livery yard so not easy to provide a forever home.

As I say, I don’t mind about the money on purchase price and prascend but it’s the thought of having to pay for retirement livery for however many years which is now giving me pause for thought! Wish I had land at my house to retire ponies but I don’t…

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/01/2025 14:36

@couraggio

I am very much in favour of an experienced and obviously very trustworthy pony going onto a new home to carry on working within their capability .
It just seems she ( the owner) wants to profit when you could give this pony a fantantic home and your DD will benefit from him.

That's the thinking behind Loan rather than Sell ?

Many years ago , the stables I rode at had a horse who was 26yo , she was pretty much a retired field ornament but maybe once a week she'd go on a group hack . She was very much a novice adult horse as she was happy to just amble along but if she was asked to go faster she'd do it .
That little bit of excercise got her out and about , she had the other horses anyway .

Pleasedontdothat · 01/01/2025 14:41

They’re selling because they want to palm off the problem of what to do with him in the near future onto someone else. If they cared about him then they’d be offering him for loan. There are plenty of potential loan homes for outgrown PC ponies but even the best pony will need to retire at some point and if he’s already got medical issues then that point might come sooner rather than later. Personally £3.5k wouldn’t be worth the sleepless nights if I sold on a 20 year old - a loan would be completely different but someone will still need to take responsibility for when this pony isn’t able to work anymore

lapuf · 01/01/2025 17:46

I bought an almost identical pony from an old friend (20yo section B, didn't know he had cushings but now he's 24 he's on 1.5 prascend a day).
I paid a nominal amount for him (£500) and it was the best thing I've ever done. He's cost me a fucking fortune Grin but his temperament is so special and I adore the bones of him and so do my small kids who trust him as much as I do). £3.5k is punchy I think though.

FoxtonFoxton · 01/01/2025 22:28

He will fail the vetting and I'd be shocked if you manage to find an insurance company who will cover him (at least for any reasonable price -my friends 19 year old who windsucks was uninsurable). I'd advise not to go ahead unless you are willing and able to fork out on health care/vet bills/retirement livery. I LOVE a golden oldie, but with cushings-no.

Thesebloominhorses · 01/01/2025 22:45

I would buy him and not bother with the vetting.

prices are still crazy. Ponies like that round here are going for around £4k

i bought a fantastic one for just under £3k just after Covid. Look these little ponies change hands every few years because they are outgrown and out ridden. The one I bought has asthma and hardly any teeth. But she is sound as a pound and absolutely priceless to me. She’s out on loan after we’ve had 3 fantastic years on her. And once she’s back my youngest daughter can have her.

low level pony club up to 50cm is hardly any strain on them. It’ll be grand.

the only thing I’d say though, is what will you do with her when you have outgrown or outridden it? I do think in their twilight years they deserve a nice retirement. Can you afford to be end of line. I do find it upsetting seeing 27 year old ponies for sale.

Thesebloominhorses · 01/01/2025 22:46

Animal friends will insure you but not cover the cushings. Prascend is about £1 per tablet per day

3smallpups · 01/01/2025 22:51

Thesebloominhorses · 01/01/2025 22:45

I would buy him and not bother with the vetting.

prices are still crazy. Ponies like that round here are going for around £4k

i bought a fantastic one for just under £3k just after Covid. Look these little ponies change hands every few years because they are outgrown and out ridden. The one I bought has asthma and hardly any teeth. But she is sound as a pound and absolutely priceless to me. She’s out on loan after we’ve had 3 fantastic years on her. And once she’s back my youngest daughter can have her.

low level pony club up to 50cm is hardly any strain on them. It’ll be grand.

the only thing I’d say though, is what will you do with her when you have outgrown or outridden it? I do think in their twilight years they deserve a nice retirement. Can you afford to be end of line. I do find it upsetting seeing 27 year old ponies for sale.

Prices have definitely stabilised and the market slowed down.i had a lovely pony on sales livery and they had one enquiry ! And she was very reasonably priced ( and 7 with no medical issues )

I think if you are going to buy this pony ( and I think you would be a bit crazy to pay 3.5) you should at least get a cast iron three month trial period. If this pony doesn't work for you, I think your chance of finding someone else to buy it is very very slim and you will be stuck with paying livery for something you can't sell on.