"Old & cold" osselets - when are they a dealbreaker for an eventer prospect?

[OverandOnward]

There will be x-rays.

OTTB with plenty of starts but not more than 7-9 per year. Supposedly did NOT retire due to the osselets, which have been there for some time. Horse is 6, racing 4 years, did not race as much at 2 & 3 yo, showing less interest/enthusiasm for racing, a bit track sour.

What “maintenance requirements” could a vet tell you about these that would cause you to walk away? Other than a completely obvious wave-off by the vet, which of course would be a pass.

Thanks for your comments!

[Laurierace]

Too many variables to give a meaningful answer, but in general they are a non issue. I think it is a good idea to get xrays but it is worth looking into the horse if that is the only thing obviously wrong with him. Good luck!

[Wayne]

My first OTTB had osselets as big as his knees. I got him as an 8 year old and hunted him for many years. They never bothered him. He was hunting 4 days a week.

[visorvet]

I always x-ray these to rule out intra-articular involvement - fetlock arthritis. If none, the horse is sound, and range of motion is acceptable then I ignore them.

[Jleegriffith]

Xrays are the only way to say what is osselets (meaning outside joint) vs arthritis. Some have no arthritis and are just fine while others may have narrowing of the joint space that some vets aren’t going to be okay with so it really depends. For example, I just had a sales horse that I LOVED but became very difficult to sell because he had osselets but narrowing in the joint space which vets didn’t feel good in terms of anything BN and above. Some vets were okay with it and others were not. I got all sorts of different responses from vets from flatwork sound only to fine to prelim. Have fun sorting that out! Horse was sound, raced sound and was in work already jumping with no issues.

In terms of buying horses I do try to stay away from osselets because even if the xrays are good it will deter people. I have had horses with osselets with good joint space and clean ankle films and people will still bulk at buying them.

[OverandOnward]

Thanks so much for those answers. That experience helps! :yes:

[EventerAJ]

@jleegriffith

In terms of buying horses I do try to stay away from osselets because even if the xrays are good it will deter people. I have had horses with osselets with good joint space and clean ankle films and people will still bulk at buying them.

I agree with this. “Safe” sound osselets may not bother me, but it’s a difficult re-sell. The horse would have to be REALLY special for me to take the risk. Even if you are buying for yourself, you never know if you may end up selling the horse. What if the horse decides he doesn’t like eventing, and would prefer a different job? Many buyers aren’t educated enough to be comfortable with osselets, and big ugly-looking ankles scare buyers away.

[Jleegriffith]

I also think osselets can mean different things to different people. Some are minor rounding and others are bigger. I feel more comfortable with a horse that has rounding on both ankls which sounds crazy but if only one ankle is rounded I have often found something more like a chip or worse so I am a bit odd about those things. Some very minor ankle rounding is often not a huge deal but xrays are always the safe bet.

[Meredith_Clark]

I’m fine with a lot of 'jewelry" on my horses since I stick to the lower levels and never sell them (even when I should!) but I stay away from osselets. Just my opinion though!

[judybigredpony]

For resale it’s a no go…But if the horse ticks all,your other boxes and the xrays and flexions are satisfactory it will be yours and only your call. Good luck

[gumtree]

When my Vet/s gives me their opinion.

[OverandOnward]

Thanks again, everyone, for the insight! Have not dealt with them before, so this info will help me make a good decision.