Going on a trip later in the month to look at a few prospects, not a great market right now honestly. One of the more interesting prospects is a young mare who had the bone shaving surgery for KS as a four year old. The seller is very transparent and said that the surgeon who did the work was open to answering any questions and sharing images with my vet. The mare looks sound and robust in the videos and the trainer said the surgery completely resolved the behavioral issues that caused them to explore back pain when the horse was started. The surgery was relatively limited in scope and few vertebrae were affected. I believe this is a credible seller who is acting in a way that shows sensible liability management and also just basic honesty.
I have a pretty good track record dealing with SI/back issues and I’m not one of those people who expects an immaculate PPE. I have a mare I purchased a few years ago with bad shivers, a lateral walk and a left hind swelled so badly it looked like a huge sausage almost up to the stifle. But, she’s been an amazing horse and with thoughtful work, supplements and corrective shoeing the shivers are almost imperceptible, her fat leg is totally fine, her walk is amazing and about every six months I have to shoo away someone who offers to buy her.
I’m wondering if this nice filly I’m about to see, who is pretty ideal in every other way, could be another diamond in the rough like my wonderful mare, or if I’m insane for even considering this horse? I’d love to hear everyone’s perspective.