Possibly buying first pony. So unsure!

[HayGal]

I've learnt loads from discussion on this board and would love your opinions. DD is 11 and has always been horse mad. She's been back at lessons, both private and group, for a year. Her confidence was shattered by bullying at school and its crept into everything including riding. The weekly lessons are great but its a different horse every week and shes not getting her jumping confidence back. So we started looking for a pony and think we have found one. The pony is 14hh and seems to be the right balance of steady and mature and knows what to do but needs the rider to tell him what to do. Problem is she'll probably outgrow him quickly. So do we take the chance and see it as an investment. Or do we keep going with weekly lessons. There are lots of younger going forward ponies around but the older but not too old ponies are harder to find.

Ugh sorry that was an info dump.

@twistyizzy can you explain please. My understanding is that what was found could be found in any pony and they never gave issues but on the other hand I wonder does what's found join together to suggest issues down the line. Plus the day you buy is the day you sell so future buyers would see all this and be wary. Im torn as his temperament is just perfect.

How old is the pony?

@Jillybloop393 yes it is exciting and "what have I done"! He is 13. 14.2hh, very placid and seems the right balance of knowing what to do but taking rider instruction. Just wary that vetting suggests issues down the line but will get more info and then decide.

Did the vet not discuss these findings with you?

@Gingercar he spoke about it after vetting but it was at owners yard so i didnt want to discuss in detail there so then they sent the report by email over weekend. I've been trying to understand what they mean as no background in Horses and thought by mumsnet experts might see something i don't either good or bad. Will talk to vet on a call later.

@twistyizzy He is 13 on his paperwork and vet confirmed also

You should never have the horse's normal vet do a vetting as its conflict of interest. Most vets will refuse anyway.

X rays definitely a good idea but you will then have to declare on insurance. They will show any current degeneration. At the end of the day vettings only give a snapshot on that day and things can go wrong at any time.

CE NAD (or eNAD/eDMW) refers to Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy / Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy, a genetic neurological disorder in horses often linked to early-life vit E deficiency

I would be more concerned about this to be honest.

You've also got a potential issue with coffin bone which can cause navicular etc.
I would personally get feet xrays to see the damage but overall I would steer clear of this pony.

A 13 Yr old pony with just 1 of the issue listed would put me off, let alone a collection of them

@twistyizzy all joints were x rayed and thats where these things were picked up. I know its worrying...question for you..what's the likelihood of these things being congenital and would not cause any issues when the pony is used lightly for low level riding and jumping like we want?

The problem is you can't say with any certainty. Pony will likely be more susceptible to tying up and navicular. Does it currently have remedial shoeing/barefoot?

@twistyizzy havent heard of specific shoeing requirements so was understanding it has standard shoes as needed every 8 to 10 weeks.

That sounds a very long time between shoeing. It should be 6-8 weeks

@twistyizzy maybe i misheard so my numbers could be wrong. If the pony was just right for DD and potential issues factored into price would you take a chance on her. DD is a nervous jumper and this pony seemed to be the right size and temperament to build her confidence. But on the other hand if issues suggest we'll have lameness v soon then don't want to go there. Damn it was too good to be true!

@everyone Who has replied. Thanks for all your info. Very much appreciate it. Am trying to do right by everyone.

You need to specifically discuss this with the vet and if this is what he has got then do not touch it with a very long pole . Such a shame when things go tits up at vettings but most of us have been there .

@tinyspiny on a +ve the vetting has been thorough but its so disappointing there are so many problems.

What is the likelihood these things are causing issues now? Is it possible future problems have been picked up? Wondering what owner knows or suspects.

As PP said, you need to discuss with the vet but fundamentally no-one can give any guarantees with any certainty

Sorry if I missed this but what breed is he op?

Your other issue is that you should have had an independent vet , this vet has a relationship with the owners . I suppose you could get another vet to look but that is just spending more money .

Gosh, it's all got so technical. Back in 1970 when I was bought my first pony we had nothing like this. I fell in love with him, he came home the next week, and he lived until he was thirty four years old. I was lucky, I guess, he was as sound as a pound. He was eleven when I got him, it seemed like a 'sensible' age - i knew nothing, and he taught me so much. I hope you're as lucky as I was ... would love to see a pic when you get yours home.

Unfortunately as you've found if you go looking for problems you will likely find them. Also I don't know if you know this but these findings likely mean you will have a lot of exclusions as pre-existing conditions on your veterinary insurance (not just loss of use, actual vet bills) meaning if he does become unwell in the future you will have to pay the cost of diagnostics and treatment out of pocket. As doubtless you know with your other livestock, for large animals costs do add up very very quickly. That alone would be a deal breaker for many. I know it feels counter-intuitive that by being responsible and getting the most thorough vetting possible and having the greatest possible knowledge about the animal pre-purchase you effectively disadvantage yourself compared to buying blind and insuring him in good faith with nothing pre-existing but this is the way of the world, a lot of insurance companies seemingly do require very through vetting now in any event.

It sounds (if the vet has marked him as fit for purpose currently) none of this is currently affecting him and of course it's possible he may well stay sound longer term but it's a big gamble to take. Have a chat with the vet particularly about the CE NAD result as that is probably the most concerning there (most horses of his age would not necessarily x-ray 100% cleanly, not being 100% on flexions or some bony changes not always a huge deal). I'd then understand what the deal would be with insurance with that vets report. If, and it's then a big big big if, the vet can be reassuring as to prognosis (it has to be a good sign that he's reached 13 sound and in work with no navicular progression, if that's true of course and the wool isn't being pulled over) AND you can negotiate enough of a discount to compensate for the insurance implications AND you can cope emotionally, financially and practically with the idea of potentially having to retire pony early or even PTS if he does become symptomatic, then perhaps it's worth taking a punt. Otherwise I'd walk away (like I said right at the very start reliable novice friendly 14hh ponies are very very rare and expensive beasts to find on the , you often have to cycle through quite a lot that aren't everything they say on the tin to find one that truly has it all)...

Thank you for all that info @maxelly am very grateful. I hear you on the insurance, for all our other animals both large and small we have agreed no insurance and put money aside for bills so same idea for pony but DD becoming so attached and there being a big issue is what I am trying to manage.

Ill talk to vetting vet and have plan b vet for 2nd opinion and see where we get to.

Thanks again to everyone for taking time in your day to answer my questions.

It's very dangerous to have no insurance for a horse. A colic bill can be £2K+, a cut needing vet attention can easily end up being 1K if serious, tendon injury (from the field) 1K+

I think you are hugely underestimating the cost of not insuring to be honest.

Lots of people don’t insure their horses. I’ve got a 0% credit card specifically for emergencies and set aside money each month. I don’t think you need to be quite so negative