Long Term Scar and Scar Tissue for CTR Vet Check

[phoenixrises]

My mare had a horrible infection in her knee, that culminated in surgery. She has a super cool scar (all the other horses are jealous) that goes the length of her left knee and scar tissue that leaves her with a permanent bump. She is in no way lame (never was even when she had puss pouring down her leg). I was just wondering do I need some sort of note for the vet check from her vet stating that the “swelling” is in fact scar tissue and will never go away and she is not injured in any way?

I know that they track all her marks and blemishes but I wasn’t sure what they’d say about the bump on her knee.

[tabula_rashah]

It wouldn’t hurt to bring something but I would also make sure I declare it when they are doing the vetting in. I don’t do a vet note for my mare’s wonky foot that literally has holes in the top of the hoof wall but I always point it out very first thing- usually they just take note and compliment my farrier on keeping her sound lol!

[Ghazzu]

It wouldn’t hurt to declare it at the vetting in, just to make sure it gets noted on the score sheet.

[beowulf]

would be a good thing to have on coggins too, in case someone disputes it - large scars/visible ones are always recorded on my guys. my current gelding has a scar on his hindquarter where a brand would be, white hairs that look like a crudely drawn jelly fish. it’s on his coggins and the vet’s artistic interpretation of it is adorable and hilarious.

[midkniggit]

I had a horse with one very thick fetlock, likely scar tissue from an old injury. I made sure the vet noted it at the start and reminded her again at the end. I didn’t have any problems in the five rides that we did.

[GotMyPony]

As others have said, be sure it you point it out and vet notes it at the initial check-in. What the vets are actually scoring your horse on are the differences they see between the beginning of the ride and the end. If the scar tissue and surrounding area look exactly the same at the end of the ride as what was noted at the initial vet-in, you shouldn’t have a problem.

I do think having a “note” from your vet describing the injury, how long ago, lack of affect on the horse’s current performance, would be good back-up and show that you took time to prepare for the questions the scar might raise.