Page 1 of 1

PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:12 pm
by Ponichiwa
Hey everyone,

I am potentially out of my mind, but I am inquiring about a young horse (yearling) that has caught my eye. If you were the buyer of a dressage-bred WB yearling from a well-known barn, how extensive of a PPE would you go for?

I'm assuming no flexions since that's a young young horse with young young legs. Are xrays worth it with a horse this young? If so, feet/hocks/ankles/stifles or just some of the above?

I've actually never bought a young horse before and all my PPEs have been able to be verified with how the horse feels under saddle, so this is a whole new can o'worms for me.

Thanks!

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:44 pm
by StraightForward
When I had my warmblood vetted as a 2 year old, I had radiographs of the knees, hocks and stifles to check for OCD lesions - not sure how often they're formed in yearlings though. I also had front feet done and had all the imaging sent to my local vet to review. If I could have been present for the vetting, I may have just discussed the horse's conformation and hoof form in detail with the vet. The knee images did reveal that she is very slightly back at the knee, though it's not clearly evident looking at her. The attending vet didn't note this; my vet did in reviewing the radiographs. I consider it good information to have as an owner.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:34 pm
by Chisamba
with the number of coffin bone deformities in warmbloods i would get radiographs of the feet. Its useful anyway, to have a baseline set of radio graphs even from a youngster.

Definitely have a vet listen to heart, for a healthy lup dup, ( no leakage) lungs, and an overall examination for bone spurs, youngsters are capable of wierd old injuries that can show up as problems when they are started under saddle. absolutely and for sure have the eyes examined.

Again i am not sure of your price point and how well you know the breeder, but i would also consider ocd lesions, I suppose i would ask your vet if they show up in yearlings.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:48 pm
by piedmontfields
I agree with the radiographs / OCD concerns (at the very least, it is a bargaining point even if you go ahead).

I would also thinking about testing for PSSM. It is such a heart breaker and can be a real challenge to manage. Probably very few WB breeders actually test and eliminate breeding based on testing, but the condition is out there in WBs (not just in drafts and QHs).

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:57 pm
by Tuddy
In my experience, do everything that you possibly can afford to do. Doesn't matter if it is a baby or a mature horse. It is money well spent and a potential money saver down the road.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:04 pm
by Ponichiwa
Sadly a moot point at the moment-- someone offered on the horse I was looking at approximately 12hrs before I did. Thanks for the feedback, though!

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 12:23 am
by piedmontfields
Oh, bummer Ponichiwa! We were all looking forward to watching the young-un grow up with you. Maybe another exciting youngster will appear on the horizon soon. I do understand the palomino desire, not to mention going for breeding similar to a beloved partner!

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:24 pm
by khall
Ponichiwa I thought of you when I saw a FB ad of a DHH g, 5 yr old. Cool looking horse, good price and already started.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:45 pm
by Ponichiwa
khall wrote:Ponichiwa I thought of you when I saw a FB ad of a DHH g, 5 yr old. Cool looking horse, good price and already started.


Would you mind sending a link my way? I'm not actually actively looking for another horse (I tell myself...) but if the right one comes along I'd be an idiot not to, right?

Right.

Yes.

From a phasing perspective, my mare is now 11 and is actually rideable most of the time (weather permitting), so it's just about time to introduce a young horse into the equation. I was thinking yearling/weanling mainly because that syncs pretty well with when Kiwi may be ready to step down in work effort-- maybe.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:42 pm
by musical comedy
You think Kiki is going to be ready to step down in work effort at age 15?

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:25 pm
by Ponichiwa
musical comedy wrote:You think Kiki is going to be ready to step down in work effort at age 15?


Honestly-- barring injuries, probably not. Ponies do seem to work for quite a while. The above is mainly a justification to myself that it's OK to buy a cute young horse.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 4:26 am
by StraightForward
Perfect position to pounce when just the right youngster comes along.

Sorry this one didn't work out, but you're gathering info for the next opportunity.

Re: PPE on a Young Horse-- WWYD?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:10 pm
by khall