Just had a prepurchase exam done on a 4 yr old horse which I would like to use for dressage–hoping to reach FEI level someday. Flexions were excellent, as was everything else, but vet noticed small amount of fluid in pasterns. That fluid disappeared after short time on lunge. I asked vet to radiograph pasterns. One front pastern showed small chip. Vet said she believes it is inconsequential due to location. She also checked w/vet surgeon in her practice who agreed that it should not be a problem in that location. HOWEVER, the trainer of this horse has used this vet clinic in the past, although this clinic has never seen this particular horse before. I am having x-rays sent to my own veterinarian, but wanted to see what you all thought as I await her opinion.
I would send the x rays off to a top lameness surgeon at a vet school. If the vet school surgeon says it is unlikely to be a problem, I would not worry about it.
See what your vet says…perhaps an additional opinion might make you feel better
I suspect that if the vet never saw this horse before, they are giving you accurate information. HOWEVER, I once made the mistake of having my vet do a pre-purchase exam for a client who spent magnitudes more money that I did at the practice. The potential buyer was very honest about what the vet said, and the vet denied it when I asked him. THAT said, the vet told me that the farrier at the barn (same farrier as the $$ client’s many horses) was not doing a good job on my particular horse, and told me point blank that he’d deny he said that if I told the farrier. This guy is a big-time dressage vet and owns/campaigns stallions. Choose your vet wisely.
Chips can be diagnosed as inconsequential. Have your vet talk with the vet who took the radiographs if there is any question.
Good luck!!
I’m the most risk adverse person in the world when it comes to PPEs, yet what you describe doesn’t scare me. But I’d be doing what you are - getting the opinion of my regular vet before making a decision.
