Would you buy a horse who has had OCD surgery?

[BabyDentist2021]

Hi all, you’ve been so helpful on my continuing horse search…

Would you buy a really nice 3 yr old WB who had OCD surgery as a yearling - both hocks and 1 stifle? The seller purchased him from a reputable breeder knowing he had these and would require surgery. Never had any issues - they were found through radiographic screening by the breeder as a yearling, and he’s going nicely now WTC with no issues. No swellings or bumps but 2 white spots in his fur. Waiting on the surgery report and would obviously do a PPE with x-rays. Would resale when he’s older be an issue assuming there are no lameness issues? Going to talk to my trainer and vet on Monday but wanted to see what the general consensus is…

Thank you!

[nwjumper]

Some horses go on to have no issues where these lesions have been removed, some do not. As a resale project, I would pass.

[BabyDentist2021]

I’m not entirely sure he would be a re-sale (I’ve had my current horse for 14 years, ha) but I don’t want something that would be impossible to sell down the road.

[LilDunFilly]

Personally, I’d pass if your end goal is to resell later. Many buyers would be put off by the knowledge the horse had surgery.

My good friend has a WB mare who had OCD surgery later (at 3 I think?). She’s almost 10 now and hasn’t ever had problems with it, knock on wood. I’ve seen others who’ve had the surgery and gone on to be competitive as well.

[Zu_Zu]

NO
Keep looking &

[erinmeri]

I am probably in the minority, as my horse’s OCD surgery as a youngster gave neither myself, nor the 3 vets consulted for PPE, pause (horse had other issues that made me vet her multiple times and I still bought her). That said, she was 11 and doing the job I was purchasing her for and I had/have no intentions of reselling. And she only had one lesion removed, not three. She does need maintenance in that joint, but it isn’t above or beyond what horses of her age require IMO. She’s 15 now.

[Dbliron]

Probably. There are a lot of variables, but most hoses who’ve had OCD surgery in hocks don’t have issues related to OCD or the surgery. Stifles and fetlocks can be another matter.

[bingbingbing]

DIRT lesions in the hock are usually just an inconvenience; to do the surgery and recovery. Stifle OCD scares me. I would want my vet to look over the surgeon report for all joints and xrays.

[islgrl]

I bought a 4 y.o. that turned up an OCD in his fetlock on PPE. Surgery was done prior to transfer of ownership to me. It was never an issue

[fivestrideline]

@bingbingbing

DIRT lesions in the hock are usually just an inconvenience; to do the surgery and recovery. Stifle OCD scares me

This.

I wouldn’t hesitate on an older going horse though. So if the horse is a good price and you can take the risk, put the training on and “prove” to a buyer that the early OCD is a non-issue, I wouldn’t say he’d be unsaleable.

If, however, he doesn’t hold up or you don’t end up putting the time and record on him for whatever reason, you’re likely stuck with him. But that can be said for any green horse .

[BabyDentist2021]

His hock lesions were DIRT. His stifle was LTR (lateral trochlear ridge). Is there a reason stifle OCDs scare you more? I’m not super familiar with OCD lesions/surgery but I’ve been doing research. All of his other x-rays are clean. He was 12 months old when he had the surgery. He’s 3 now. I’m not sure I’d ever sell him. I might keep him forever or possibly sell/lease him one day.

[BabyDentist2021]

His hock lesions were DIRT. His stifle was LTR (lateral trochlear ridge). Is there a reason stifle OCDs scare you more? I’m not super familiar with OCD lesions/surgery but I’ve been doing research. All of his other x-rays are clean. He was 12 months old when he had the surgery. He’s 3 now.

[vxf111]

I’m not super worried about OCD in the hock that was removed without complication. That’s very common.

The stifle OCD is a little worrisome to me because I’m leery of ANYTHING stifle. Harder area to inject/maintain if arthritis develops. I have two horses- one who had hock OCD removed and one who came off the track with loose stifles. The one with the hock OCD has never had an issue. The one with just loose stifles never made it as a riding horse and the stifles are a significant part of why.

And this horse you’re looking at is a 3 year old that you are worried about resale value on? I’d pass under that fact pattern. Maybe not if resale was no concern, but even then I just don’t love anything stifle.

[Paint_Party]

If he were older and had several years of riding and training on him, that would be different. But being young and green means you don’t really have any evidence of how sound he’ll be. As others have said, it’s not the hocks but the stifle OCD and surgery that’s tricky.

Me, personally? I’d pass.

[M1ssmouse]

Here in Ireland it wouldn’t be disclosed that they’d had chips removed so at least you are a step ahead there! As my vet says if they are gone they are gone

[outerbanks77]

Three removed as a yearling and now the horse is only three - I agree with the ones who say pass. When I bought my mare at 2, an OCD was found in her coffin joint on the PPE. Had it removed before starting her at three and now at 8 not recurring issues. Her hocks and stifles were totally clean on the PPE, which is why I went forward and dealt with the single one, but if there had been more than one, I would have walked away.

[Paint_Party]

I’m in the midst of horse shopping right now, and thought of this thread.

Recently I tried a 4-year-old that I loved. Great mover, smooth to sit, very level headed, well started in what I want to do, and within my budget. Has OCD lesions in both stifles.

Horse is currently sound, but I walked away. While the OCD may remain stable for years or forever, it can also go to hell in a handbasket quickly.