What have I done....

Alchemilla

Ooh exciting??????

LauraJo

I'm so excited about it! I've only ever had hardy horses though so this will be new.

LauraJo

My lovely lovely kind friend has booked me the vetting for wed. There is only £20 difference between the 2 stage and the 5 stage so they've either made a mistake or the 2 stage is expensive! I've gone for the 5 stage!
I'm not sure who is meant to ride on the 5 stage tho? Thinking of getting an air jacket as it's an unknown horse. £400 but a price worth paying? Literally not spent any of my wages in 2 weeks (apart from some fake designer handbags lol!) and earnt extra at the festival so wondering if it's worth it since I'm a terrible rider.... ?!!!

Watty1

A vet once told me that they make the stage 5 cheaper so people get that rather than a stage 2 and it means the vet can check everything so less chance of comeback. Plus it doesn't take that much longer apparently. I've had a couple of stage 5's done and asked the owner/seller to ride. Once because I couldn't be there and once because I actually didn't want to as I had struggled with the horse in the school and wasn't sure I could hold him in canter for long enough but was buying him to hack and he had been a fabulous hack. Its fine to ask the seller to ride - and - it means you can see what the vet sees from the ground which can be helpful if there is an issue.
As for airjacket - was with someone on Saturday who came off and she was just fine other than her pride. Very impressive. Made me think about wearing one.
So when is the vetting???? Such exciting news!! As a non-hardy horse will you need to keep him in over winter?

FloppyDisk

I've always thought I wouldn't bother with an air jacket until I'm jumping at least chest height (for the horse) as you're unlikely to have a rotational fall if they can get their legs over. I tend to feel like the more equipment I have, the more scared I get and for me, £400 worth of xc coaching would be a better investment.

Defo stage 5 and get them to ride!

Also get good insurance, I haven't met a TB that's not totally accident prone!!

Arkers

Fantastic news re the new horse, I bet you can't wait. Photo please if and when....hope the vetting goes well. I would get the owner to ride, def good advice. Good luck!

Goldiegirl

Wow, exciting news about the new horse! Hope all goes well

LauraJo

I'm back!!
So got back and straight away had the vetting. Failed
Totally gutted. 1/10 lame on front fore.
He is being re shod and rested. Owner *says* he has never been lame before.
He is such a great horse but aware this could turn into a nightmare! Owner has already halved the price due to the fail but its not really about the money...

Alchemilla

You did all the right things.
Sorry to hear the news but you dont want to be taking on their problem.
Having seen a childs pony dump a seasoned eventer on her head at full gallop, I would always have the vendors person ride for the vetting!

LauraJo

Thanks Alchemilla ... I did get the seller to ride largely because I wanted to see the horse from the ground and secondly because I hate people watching me ride! £300 down the drain but poss saved a lifetime of expense.
They are re shoeing and resting to see if it solves itself but I certainly won't be paying for a retest
The most I would do at this stage is loan for a couple of months excluding vets fees but I won't be parting with any money no matter how perfect he is in every other way!