Would you bother getting this pony vetted?

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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!

Nothing wrong with buying an older horse, my old girl lived to 35 no cushings or ill health.
However, she for less than 1k, she had her quirks but was amazing, even then I would never have spent 3.5k on her.

Do you know this horse personally? Long term?
Is that why your interested?
Private seller or dealer?

There are so many nice horses out there, no need to settle for one or rush.

What area, maybe someone can help?

Thanks everyone. Quite a mixed bag of responses! It seems to me that it is not that unusual to buy a pony in its 20s with cushings but if it were a horse it would be?

I know of two ponies (that I was interested in) with cushings that sold within a week - one was 18 and one was 24. Both were similar prices (in fact, the 18-year old was £4.5K). Both were very similar types of ponies - 1.5-type, steady, sensible “been there done it” types, who are very reliable at the lower show-jumping heights.

These kind of ponies are so rare I’m reluctant to pass this one over! Ultimately, I can afford lifetime care/retirement livery for him - althoughI guess it could end up being 10s of thousands all told, which isn’t ideal!

I wish DD was a bit braver and could deal with something with quirks but she can’t - hence needing this type of Mary Poppins pony.

I’m speaking to the vet later and think I will test ACTH levels - perhaps I can negotiate on price if they are higher than previous results.

It’s an interesting question though - at what point does it become immoral to sell on a pony that is old/has a health condition?

Having paid for prescend (or pergolide in the early days) for 15 years on one of mine, i'd never ever "buy in to" a horse or pony that was already on it. it cost me thousands.

If this pony you're looking at has fat pads visible, it's likely the symptoms arent under control on the dose they are on either.

I agree with @70isaLimitNotaTarget that this woman should be keeping him and just loaning him out , poor old thing . FWIW we have our sons elderly pony , they are both now 31 and she doesn’t have Cushings ( Dartmoor x ) . As long as you are willing to be his final home I’d take him

It's a tricky one as I'd never discount an older pony for a child but one with a known health condition for £3,500 seems a bit crazy.
I have a little 13hh Welshie who has done everything. Is slightly quirky but always safe. We are planning on loaning him out but if we're going to sell him I'd be looking for about 4-50000. He has no health issues whatsoever so I do think the pony is over priced.
You do need to think carefully about the pony's future after your daughter has outgrown him, especially if you don't have your own land. By that stage he could be 23/24 with a known health condition and possibly ready to retire. What happens to him then.

Id either keep looking (I know it's really hard) or else ask for a loan or a dramatic price reduction.

I wouldn't bother with a vetting as the pony wouldn't pass.

4-5000 not 50000 🙈. He is lovely but not worth that much 🙈😂

I sound like you 2 years ago! My DD is very nervous due to a few knocks. We bought a 17 year old for her two years ago who flew through 5 stage vetting. Within three months he had turned from a lovely plod into a dangerous pony. Vets, hospital, scans and it turns out he has advanced SI. Luckily due to 5 stage vetting all vet’s bills were covered. He’s now retired and happy to never be ridden again (we’re also on livery).

We bought another one for her through PC. Came with many references and seemed to be everything we were looking for. He was 21 but did have melanoma. I didn’t have him vetted in the typical sense but had him vet checked and bloods done. I knew we’d be his last home but wanted to go in with my eyes open. Surprisingly bloods were good and I committed to having him vet checked every six weeks to check the lumps and bumps. He was brilliant. We effectively paid for his tack. My daughter went out and about with him. Had some wobbles but he taught her a lot. He quickly became one of the family ans I adored him. He was in fantastic health. The vet said he was in the best condition she’d seen him in. Sadly, the melanoma became malignant and we had to PTS a few weeks ago. We are all heartbroken. We don’t expect to say goodbye so quickly. Would I buy him again? Yes, in a heartbeat because I am a complete softie but he did cost a fair amount in vets and medication. I’m glad we gave him a happy last home.

We now have a lovely cob who seems to be exactly what she needs. He’s 10 and bigger than I planned to buy but he’s a gem. One speed although does have his quirks on the ground. I would say, don’t rush into a purchase. The right pony is out there. Any pony can have its issues - vetted or not. There is no guarantee but I would always have 5 stage now to ensure insurance is available.

When I bought my 2 boys, oldest aged 14 now 26 I knew we'd be keeping them for life but we do have a bit of land. Ongoing annual costs with cushings, black smith every 6 weeks and a bale of hay a day in winter is quite a lot. Mine also get a bit of hard feed that probably isn't necessary but the one with cushings is an absolute bugger with the meds.

Life expectancy with cushings is quite reduced.

Poor old boy, I hate that ponies are seen as so disposable and can be passed on when they are older and in poor health.
Cushings is a lifelong endocrine disorder that will progress over time although correct medication and regular testing will slow this down . It requires expensive medication and increases the risk of laminitis, reduced performance, muscle wasting, reduced life expectancy, infections etc.

My old boy was diagnosed at 20, I retired him at 21 as I could tell he was no longer his sparky self, he lived on a wonderful track livery out in nature with a herd. He lived a wonderful happy life of good quality for several more years but not in a million years would I have sold him on at that point! He lived a life of utter horse heaven as he deserved. I’m so upset that this person is selling this pony on because their child wants to jump higher! What a message to instil in a child.

A few thousand is ridiculous for a pony that age

I wouldn't bother with a vetting. It will likely just show up things that will come to light anyway such as arthritis in joints etc. Address it when it becomes a problem which is fairly inevitable. Sounds a lot of money for a pony who likely doesn't have many ridden years left. Are you in a position to keep it in retirement, even if that comes fairly soon?