Failed the vet - without actually seeing the vet !

[Finetoday]

I’ll attempt to keep short but prevent drip feed !
Horse had an injury 5 months ago and saw a specialist vet and has make a full recovery, back in work, fully sound.

Horse coming up for sale but before I advertised him, through word of mouth Person W is interested. I was very clear from outset reason for sale and UNRELATED previous injury.

W does an initially viewing and a second viewing.
W requests a short 5 day trial to ensure Horse settles at their yard. I agree.
I had to wait 2 weeks as W is on holiday but trial commences and no probs (he’s a cool dude). W then wants to see him hacked out (I obliged), then an arena hire (again, done no probs). W puts small deposit down ahead of 5 stage vet.

I ensure vet has access to specialist vet notes and images.
Before the vetting, vet advises W to ask for a 6 month trial with full return should horse go lame. I refuse.
Vet then tells W to request a new MRI to compare to original one, paid for by me/my insurance.
I contact specialist vet who say they won’t carry out mri on a sound horse.

W has now pulled out of sale before the vetting has even taken place.

What else could I have done ?

I think you’ve already been too obliging , no trials in future , ridiculous carry on .

Block W who sounds a nightmare and readvertise. I would never agree to a trial. Either they buy or they bog off.

This 👆

What utter nonsense from W - and her Vet

That’s utterly ridiculous - i can’t believe they asked you to do an MRI (do they have any idea how expensive that would be??).

it sounds like you have had a narrow escape here. If you sold your horse to W they would probably be back several times in the future with complaints, jiggles and shit you don’t need

Crikey - you really couldn't have done any more. In fact, you went over and above what most sellers would do!

To be honest, I am a quite a cynical person, and I am questioning what W's 'Vet' has suggested; a new MRI and then a 6 month loan with the option to return if lame? Really? 🤨

I think W is a CF of the highest order. Block, re-advertise and sell to someone who will provide the right home for your horse.

These replies are so helpful - thank you x

What price bracket are we talking here? If it’s >£50k competition prospect then the MRI not completely wild. If it’s in the normal £25k and under bracket then they are absolutely ridiculous.

But they just sound like a complete time waster. Everyone knows vetting is a little bit pointless as they can sale through a 5 stage and then shred themselves on the lorry ramp moving yards (I’ve known that happen twice!).

I’d be worried about anyone wanting an animal to go through unnecessary tests.

Price bracket £10k for a quick easy local sale to someone known to us (friend of a friend) who would be a nice home.
This was reduced from intended £13.5k which he’ll now be advertising at in sales livery.

Small drip feed which I’m also really annoyed about - vet doing the vetting and apparently giving out this advice before even seeing the horse is actually who my horse is registered with - although has only done vacs in the 18 mths I’ve had him.
im surprised that’s even a done thing.

your registered vet should not be doing the vetting. Its a conflict of interests

There's nothing you could have done differently, in fact you're far more honest and accomodating than most sellers. Chalk it up to experience and move on, the vet suggesting a 6 month trial is out of their mind and a new MRI is ridiculous for a 10k sale.
Re-advertise and don't sell to anyone who behaves like that, chances are they're the type to try and 'return' the horse if he so much as blinks the wrong way when they get him home. People say beware of dodgy sellers but dodgy buyers can cause more grief!

Ah thanks for this @renovationqueen

I ended up returning her deposit as she kept messaging me and it just wasn’t worth the stress.

It’s been a horrible experience beginning to end. Lovely horse is now on sales livery so I’m praying he gets someone who appreciates what a genuine chap he is.

Good luck selling him, I'm sure someone will snap him up and not cause anywhere near as much grief!

It’s completely wrong for that to happen. Vet should refuse to have anything to do with it if they have ever seen the horse, most won’t even touch a vetting if they treated horse with a previous owner either.total conflict of interest and they have access to confidential information.
sorry you have been messed about