Can they scope him while he’s in your care, since it appears to be a deal breaker?
If he does have ulcers, you got a “free” scope and they can walk away if they want to.
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The update is that the buyers spoke with their vet, who knows the horse from a previous client. Vet recommended against scoping! So that problem is solved for now.
Let’s just hope that all goes well with the trial and PPE. 
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Exactly. I want to sell him, but I also don’t want to cause him unnecessary stress.
When I bought him, he settled in immediately. I rode him that day. I need to try and remember that day and take comfort from it.
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We’re actually vetting and scoping one this week. We’re doing the clinical portion one day, and scoping the following. I’m a big believer in not just “treating” without knowing what’s actually going on, so I would never just give a horse omeprazole (for multiple reasons) and go off that, so I get why the buyer wants to scope. It’s also not 12 hours, our vet does a 6-7 hour fasting period (so usually the vet breakfast at 6:30, and scope around 3PM). Like others have said, maybe they’re worried his grumpiness is something else, and hoping something like ulcers, explains it versus something like Lymes or EPM.
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I too would be uncomfortable with this. There’s no need to sedate the horse twice. They can do one PPE like everyone else, during which may include one instance of sedation to take care of getting xrays AND scoping.
They should also do the PPE before a trial of any length. Sorry not sorry, you’re not gonna ride my horse into the ground for a week and them claim it’s lame so you can get a discount.
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I definitely can understand your discomfort with that demand. On the other side, I wouldn’t want a buy a horse with ulcers either. This might be a hard sell- I think many of us in the horse community are realizing horses are always communicating. A horse that behaves this way is probably living in pain or discomfort whether that’s biomechanics, management, stress, etc. If I was looking for a horse those type of behaviors would be a dealbreaker as they indicate a pain or stress issue. Best of luck! I’m sure there are some buyers out there who are still stuck in the old mentality of anthropomorphizing horses
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Considering studies show that 60-90% of performance horses have ulcers, I would reckon that almost every competing horse has had ulcers at one time. IMO ulcers should never be a dealbreaker because of this reason. Now should they be treated and the horse managed to try to mitigate stress factors that contribute? Absolutely. Would you maybe want to scope to see what course of treatment to take? Perhaps. But to break a deal on an otherwise good fit? No.
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its super shady!
Horse is going on trial. He should be on some ulcer prevention anyway due to trailering, new barn, new schedule anyway. Lot of stress for horse plus a scope and PPE in one week in a new environment.
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He will not be getting scoped per the vet.
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Yes, but also I’m talking in general about the 7 days on omeprazole, no change comment. You don’t know what you’re even starting off with, to even know if 7 days would make a difference, or if omeprazole would make a difference. I get a preventative dose, but that wouldn’t treat a horse anyway.
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Yeah I would bet they had some sort of experience with a horse with ulcers and that’s why they were fixated on scoping. I’d be obsessive over xraying the entire back of anything I buy after dealing with a horse with severe kissing spine. I know it’s not entirely indicative of future trajectory of said horse but…I can’t emotionally or monetarily deal with it again.
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Having an ECVM horse now, C6-C7 are going to be my first radiographs, and I won’t buy if the horse has one of the gradations. That’s if I buy a horse older than 3. I might just end up with another yearling.
I get having something that is the “do not proceed” item in a PPE, but ulcers isn’t on that list for me personally. Oh heck, I’ve never had a PPE done (yet). Lest someone scold me on that risk, the ECVM wasn’t a known thing, I bought the horse as a long yearling, so even if it WAS a known thing, it was too young to identify even now.
For the OP, what did you decide, or what did the prospective buyer’s decide?
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He passed their vet check with flying colors, exactly as we expected. They love him and are nonplussed by his demeanor on the ground. This week their close family friend who is also a vet is coming by to meet the horse and deliver his opinion. That’s the only hurdle we need to clear. I feel good about it, just waiting for the final word.
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So the family friend is going to vet check again and deliver an opinion on a horse that’s already been vetted? That’s weird.
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Not really. I think the question is about his ground manners. Also, if you were from that area, you would know the name. Very well-respected vet. Much like if you had a surgeon in the family you’d want to get their opinion before going under the knife.
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Horsey was given a passing grade by the family friend vet, so all we’re waiting on is the blood test results. We know he’s clean, but they need to be sure.
So I’m just biding my time here. 
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Kudos to you for being so patient. While I don’t think they’re being unreasonable, I do think they could be moving a bit quicker about it 
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I’m glad this is turning out to have a happy ending for you, your horse and the buyers.
Yet sometimes it seems like the only thing more stressful than buying a horse is selling a horse.
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It’s not over until it’s over! But it should only be a few days. I’m hoping they get test results tomorrow. We’re looking at three days of rain, so they might not be riding him for the rest of the trial anyway.
It’s a good feeling knowing that he’ll be appreciated for being the confidence giver he was for me.
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