This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Bucked Shins in Horses »
  Discussion on Pin Fired Throroughbred: Future Problems?
Author Message

Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 1999 - 3:24 am:

I am looking at a 5 yr old Tb who was bred out of exceptional quality race stock to do the same. He pulled a tendon at about 3 yrs and they never raced him. It has apparently healed such that a previous vet, upon exam and looking at the xrays/ultrasound, could not detect. Unfortunately, they pin fired his legs after the injury. The extent, I don't know yet. It wasn't obvious to me, but I did not know to look. Now I do, and am aware of and disgusted by the barbarity of this practice. The prepurchase exam is Monday at noon. What should I have the vet look for? Is this something that would veto the horse? He's gorgeous and healthy and very athletic and graceful, otherwise. What I've read concerns me. As a new member in the process of buying my first horse, I appreciate this service and thank anyone in advance for their advice. chayes2@san.rr.com

Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 1999 - 12:19 pm:

By way of clarification, I wish to use this horse for lessons and eventual showing in hunter seat equitation and basic dressage. Thank you!

Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 1999 - 1:07 pm:

Hello Christopher,
We appreciate your patronage. The pin firing by itself is an unlikely source of future problems. The fact the horse had a tendinitis on the track is a bit of a negative however. If there are truly no detectable signs of the past injury on physical exam and after a good ultrasound exam, look to recent history and confirmation to try to answer the question: is this horse predisposed to future tendon problems.

The load on the tendon at the track is extreme compared to almost any other endeavor, perhaps even including show jumping. Have you ever seen those slo-mo pictures of racing TB's where the fetlock touches the ground during the peak load on the leg?

As always, a recent history of standing up to the same rigors you are going to put the horse through is the best piece of information you can obtain. Next is conformation that may predispose to tendon problems: low heels, long toes, and long pasterns with a broken forward foot pastern axis. I have to admit though I see horses with great confirmation bow and those with awful conformation stay sound: it seems the horses do not read the books.

If all seems to be OK you only run a normal risk of a tendon strain.
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 1999 - 7:36 pm:

DrO,

Thank you for your kind, prompt and very helpful response. I feel more comfortable going to my first prepurchase exam with a great deal of research and the objective opinion and suggestions of a learned equine vet behind me. I have already profited from membership in less than 24 hrs! / Best regards. CJH

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 1999 - 2:26 pm:

Years ago I used to ride a retired TB racehorse in dressage - after racing, he'd been remade into an open jumper and then once more into a dressage horse.

He had been pin-fired - you could see the tiny white hair discolorations. But, at 18 he was still doing nicely except for a bit of stiffness that worked out in regular riding.

He'd won a few races way back when, too. Overall, he was a wonderful mount and tried his owner and her daughters very nicely.

Thought you'd be interested.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC