What do you think about bows?

[Huntin_Fool]

Dear All,

Now someone I’ve met in FL has a friend with a horse that has a bow. The bow is 2 years old, the horse raced on it, and is supposedly sound. Four years old, sweet face-ok I know that shouldn’t count-ha. It’s in Florida and I’m in Alabama.

What do y’all think about hunting a horse with an old bow? I am looking for a first flight horse, chasing coyotes. We have occasional 30 mile hunts, some deep mud, plow, etc.

To be honest I probably wouldn’t have looked at a horse with a bow at the beginning of my search but this has been such a long and weird quest, I guess I’m more open to stuff. I’ve used so much money on driving all over hell’s half acre that I could have bought a more expensive horse at the beginning! I"m trying to be frugal with the trips and vettings.

What do y’all think? Is it worth considering?

Thanks!

Huntin’Fool

[Zu_Zu]

No. Not for the ‘job’ you have described ~ IMHO ~ please keep looking ~

[BoyleHeightsKid]

If he raced on it and is sound I don’t see why not. If the horse was rehabbed correctly bows typically look much uglier than they are. My boy has a very old one that he raced on and it’s never been an issue in the 12 years I’ve had him.

If the horse is kept fit and his feet in balance (as with any horse) I would not pass on a good horse because of that.

[lesson_junkie]

I hunted for years in all kinds of going on an OTTB that came off the track with a bow. It was never an issue.

See what the vet has to say, but if everything else is good, I wouldn’t let it bother me.

[kashmere]

An old, set bow wouldn’t preclude me from looking at a horse, especially if the horse is working on that bow and remaining sound.

[Bug_Boy]

I think it is a total non-issue. I don’t think I’ve ever hunted one that didn’t have an old bow, and even in the “big” Maryland country I’ve never had it be an issue. I’ve also ridden races on horses with old bows, including the the Grand National and Hunt Cup. Again, I would not give it a second thought if it’s set, cold and the horse is sound.

[KateDB]

My 17.2 1300 lb. ISH bowed when he was 5, in his first prelim season. In his ensuing 12 years, he foxhunted as staff, leading the field and in the field, did 3 CCI* long formats, and 6 Intermediates. If it was properly managed, that bow shouldn’t be a problem in his future.

[BCGirl]

If it was properly managed and he raced on it and stayed sound, it will likely hold up to hunting. I have seen many horses who had bows and got the PRP treatment and gone on to fabulous careers. Some horses will also be fine with the traditional treatment, but I would find out what his treatment was after the injury. But if you like him otherwise, I wouldn’t let it be a dealbreaker.

In fact, I nearly bought one with an old bow, who had gotten the PRP and had no issues, in fact you could hardly even see it (the beaver level cribbing was the deal breaker for him).

[SLW]

Dang I don’t know about this for a first flight horse with the hunt distance and footing you describe. The price would be a factor too since the horse is an unproven hunt horse. I guess you would need to be willing to sometimes call it a day a little early rather than push that leg to the limit…but heck I’m even cautious with my non-bowed hunting horse because I don’t want to create one.

Bows aren’t a deal breaker for me for specific jobs but I’ve seen enough horses bow during a hunt that I’d be leary starting out with one.

[SouthernYankee]

My mare bowed a leg last season hunting in the same terrain you are talking about (also in Alabama, who do you hunt with?). I’m giving her this season off to give it a full 12 months of recovery and fully expect her to return to full work. She was/is rehabbed correctly and should be able to handle whatever I throw at her when she goes back to whipping-in.

If you pass on the horse please feel to share him with me as I’m in the hunt for a hunt prospect and am having the same luck as you.

[Arabiandressage]

It honestly depends how bad it was, how it was treated. If you can pull old vet records and follow up with the treating vet you might get a better idea of future limitations. I had a mare I did hunter jumper with bow. She bowed mildly but I retired her from courses and only did hunter hack with her after that. She probably could have still done it but I didn’t want to press my luck. I am not much of a gambler I suppose

[Donkaloosa]

An old, cold bow that has been raced on should be fine for hunting. I have seen some ugly bows hold up to racing and jumping.

[BeastieSlave]

I’m okay with an old set bow (or two). My daughter’s now retired jumper did upper level stuff with old bows. I think a 4 year old with a bow would not fall into the category of a horse with an old set bow for me, though.