I am just wondering how concerning this finding is on a five year old horse. Is this an indication of future osteoarthritis and lameness? Would you pass on this horse? The horse would be jumped at a maximum of 3’ for an adult amateur.
What did the vet say?
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Did your primary vet conduct the exam? If not, make sure to have them review and discuss the findings with you.
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Talk to the vet. Bone spurs aren’t necessarily a total deal killer. Sometimes they can be removed. Also depends on the workload the horse can anticipate (I know you said 3’ Annie hunter, but will this horse be going to 6-8 shows a year or 14+? Heavier the schedule, heavier the wear and tear and thus problems arising).
Pass. If he’s been lightly worked and not been in a regular program aimed at a jumping career? Might wonder why the bone spurs. See those in off the track horses and high mileage older horses, Would wonder why they present in a low mileage young horse. Could be conformationally related.
So, yeah, they can be sometimes be dealt with surgically, hows your checkbook, its not that cheap and how much recovery time? Do you have a less expensive lay up/rehab place in case the recovery and reconditioning time is longer then expected? Why doesn’t the seller have them removed, which would be customary?
Thing is, with younger horses destined for a specific career, you just don’t know if they will work out or not even if they are sound. Why start with a doubt and big vet bill? That happens anyway, don’t buy it.
This is really a concern for those who board and can only support one horse. Those with access to personal or family property can park them for awhile, less of a risk.
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How much work is he currently in? I assume he is otherwise sound. If he’s in regular work, and holding up fine, I’d have less of a problem with it. If he’s a total green bean coming out of the field, I would probably pass.
FWIW, you may be able to negotiate the cost of bone spur removal off his price. But in today’s market…maybe not.
I bought one with bone spur in a hind fetlock-- found during PPE. Vet’s opinion was it was worth negotiating over if I went ahead with the purchase, and it had the “potential” to become a problem but most likely it would not. It took $3K off the purchase price and 15 years later, the horse has never had a bad step or problem with that hind fetlock. Just another perspective.
Thank you for all of the feedback. The horse is in an online auction in Europe, so I would be buying off a video and radiographs. I will probably pass.
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Good choice if it is still in Europe and you and your trainer will never personally see and sit on it for proper evaluation.
Most over there are schooled and jumped until it becomes obvious it is not going to advance to elite levels so are diverted to the export market, usually around age 4-5. And just doing the bare minimum to look good in the videos with a very, very skilled rider aboard. No serious regular program. And you get no opportunity to personally evaluate trainability, attitude and suitability to pack you around.
Add the bone spurs and, IMO, not worth the risk.
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Especially when I’m doing this without a trainer. Someone from the US bought him where he will probably be sold for triple the price. Beautiful horse and an awesome jumper.
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Yikes, you need a known to be honest agent to shop overseas, even trainers over use one to avoid 5 figure blunders. The additional commission is worth it and far less then vet bills and costs to carry an unrideable horse for months, at best.
Might even look into hiring a well respected, neutral agent to shop over here. They have leads to unadvertised horses offered by known honest sellers and wont see you as a source of regular paychecks turning a horse they like into something suitable for YOU in the foreseeable future….and often not trying too hard. Too many trainers pull this.
Lots of scams, known crooks and bad/chronically unsound horses out there. Especially if shopping alone. Usually not a secret but not common knowledge.
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