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Help in choosing a horse PLEASE!!

907 views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  Elana 
#1 ·
Hi I dont know if anyone can help what it is i want to buy a mother/daughter share and went to see this horse yesterday, i used to have a pony when younger but totally out of my depth in choosing the right one. I viewed this one last night but in my opinion he looks thin and on the first pic he has like a zig zag on his side does anyone know what this is?
Thanks and any help appreciated.
 

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#3 ·
If you are "out of your depth" perhaps take someone with you to help you. For example a trainer or very knowledgeable friend.

IMO, this horse needs some real TLC, and is the type who may be a different horse with some groceries and a good deworming. He looks dull and in very poor condition to me. Not one I would recommend unless you have some real help, and want one to rehab, if you have the ability to do that.

What area are you in?
 
#4 ·
He does look thin. For some reason, pics do show ribs quite often but it looks like his hip bone is sticking out too. His withers do look thin or sunken in and he doesn't look like he has much muscle on his top line around his spine.

The zigzag, the line from his ribs down to where his legs meet his belly is just a muscle outline. It is normal.

Even if he is thin, you could do a short test ride. Just to make sure he is what you want. If you do get him, it would be a month or 2 or more before he has good weight for riding. You'd have to do some ground work and slowly increase his riding time. Just remember that if a horse is thin, they may act lazy. Once you get some groceries in him, his energy level might increase more than you want.
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#5 ·
I had a mare a few years back that had heaves. She had a visible line in that area that could be seen every time she coughed. It might be that it is showing on him because he's so thin? Not sure if that might be what's going on here but, might be something to watch out for.
 
#6 ·
Since you are relatively inexperienced, please find a horse with fewer apparent problems, and additionally someone experienced and on YOUR side to help you look. From the appearance of this horse, there may be more health problems than meets the eye. And once those are taken care of, his personality may do a complete change.
 
#7 ·
I commented on your thread in the other section that it would be better for you to pass on this horse.

There are a lot of legitimately nice horses for beginners and I am pretty sure this isn't one of them:)
 
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#8 ·
The horse in the pic may have health issues of either a minor (teeth floating) or something else. My arab looked like that and fortunately in his case it was very poor quality hay and lack of deworming and his hooves were broken in large shards from living in an often wet pasture and no farrier work. No matter what horse you decide on ask the owner who their vet is then chose another. Don't use their vet as it puts him/her in a conflict of interest. Do not purchase the horse until your vet has checked it out. Don't be intimidated if the seller says that others are interested. For me that's the deal breaker right then and there and I'll tell them "Fine, sell it to one of them.", There are too many tales of woe on HF from those who didn't get the vet check prior to purchase. Once you've bo't the horse the seller is under no obligation to refund your money if health issues start showing up.
 
#9 ·
The horse in the photo does not show a "heave line". That would be lower. You are looking at the line formed by the fascia over the abdominal area. If the horse were thinner it would not show.. and this horse is thin.

I have drawn in where the heave line would be... dashed line. Also note the hollow in the flank area and behind and alongside the withers. The hip protrudes.. and the spine is visible.

I have no idea why this horse is so thin. My experience with thin horses is simply inadequate feed, inadequate quality and quantity and (often) insufficient water.

However, ulcers, heaves, infections and so forth can also manifest. Is this horse coughing when asked to move? That could be heaves.... but I doubt it. No heave line on this horse.
 

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