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  Discussion on Pre purchase exam with no prior obvious lameness
Author Message
New Member:
silver2

Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2011 - 8:32 pm:

hi im new to the board and was just doing a pre purchase exam on a horse a couple days ago that i really like. i had my vet come out for the exam. he stopped after the flexion because he said that he was 1+ lame to his left hind. when i was trying him he was stiff bending to the left and a month prior was gelded and got an infection (which cleared). so i figured he had a sore back. he has perfect lead changes. both legs change at the same side each way. every trial after same thing the stiffness to the left, and perfect changes. this 7 yr old, imported from belgium, went through stallion testing, is intended to be an investment (i know horrible times).

im a nurse, i take great care of my 15yr horse now, since i dealt with a three yr rehab of a suspensory (including surgery, icing, wrapping, appropriate meds, reinjury and rehab again) that suspensory has healed great and we are back to showing jumpers and eq without any issues (knock on wood). this was with the same vet as above.

now my issue:
i have never felt any type of lameness with the new horse when on him and my trainer never expected any issue either. when i vetted him and my vet said he was lame i was a little taken back. eventually i talked to him on the phone with out the current owner there and he said there was possible an issue with his left stifle, and some inflammation to his left digital tendon sheath. neg on palpation, and he said all his joints seem fine. i know he is being biased, cuz he knows what i went through with the other horse. so i started researching stifle injuries and trying to find articles on tendon sheath injuries came across this website. no xrays or ultrasounds were done. and since i am really interested in this horse i am getting another opinion tomorrow.

what do u guys think about getting this horse without really having any definite answer on what the diagnosis' are of these supposed issues?
Member:
36541

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 - 12:32 am:

Hi Elizabeth, welcome to HA. IMO, don't write the check. Over the years that I have had horses, soundness issues have come and gone or come and stayed, defining every day whether or not I can ride, train or show. Why start a relationship with a horse, emotional and financial as we all know well, if there is even the slightest question of his soundness? Sounds like your vet really has your back. You might want to video this prospect at extended trot and on lunge both directions to get a good look at the hind legs in slow motion. Sadly, in my barn, stifle issues really have their ups and downs, so you have to keep a pretty high index of suspicion. Best wishes, take your time as it certainly is a buyer's market at present. Stacy
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 - 7:11 am:

Hi Elizabeth,
At the top of your post, you mention the horse is meant to be an investment. Think about that goal- horses are a tough investment even with no suspected lameness issues. That investment becomes impossible if there are any issues at all.
And I'm talking just money here. Consider also the investment of your time and heart as well...

If you really have your heart set on the horse, consider further diagnostics to try to get a definitive answer before you proceed.

Good luck.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 - 8:01 am:

Welcome Elizabeth,
I see nothing objective in your post that suggests this horse is any more prone to breakdown than any other sound horse. If we knew what this veterinarian actually did see to base his subjective evaluations on, I might feel different. Is there swelling in that stifle for instance or is this all based on the flexion test? For more on the meaning of flexions tests and the prepurchase evaluation see Horseadvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Prepurchase Exam of the Horse.

As Fran astutely points out however soundness issues are different than investment (sale ability) issues. Many a resale has hung on as little as what your veterinarian found here.
DrO
New Member:
silver2

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 - 3:13 pm:

thx guys for the info! this horse has never felt or looked sound at all.. even when the first vet did the flexion tests i thought he looked great. i got the horse vetted again today and he still looked sound. the second vet agreed. i told the second vet about what the first had said when all was said and done. he didnt understand what he saw cuz the horse was neg on palpation and flexion. no there was no swelling at all. the xrays of the stifle and fetlock looked great no bulging meniscus, bone spurs, cysts. the difference between the 2 vets is that the second seemed much more thorough in his exam.
Member:
frances

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011 - 7:30 am:

Well, isn't THAT good news!
Member:
36541

Posted on Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 - 12:32 pm:

Certainly good news - by the way, this group loves pictures so post'em if you got'em!:-) Good luck with your decision and/or purchase...Stacy
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