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Jay Spurr
New Member
Username: jjspurr
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 8:29 am: |   |
Dr. 'O' -
I am a new addition to this web site and an older (59) returning rider ... after too many years, I fear (smile).
I am looking for my first horse and have located a 10-year old Saddlebred (16.1 HH) in North Carolina.
The owner has told me that this mare had 'snow shoes' on as a youngster and her Vet has told her she has sticky stifles and, therefore, should stay clear of a slow gait or racking.
I am not really looking to be an accomplished Dressage rider but would like to learn.
I would like to know if this condition should be considered a 'showstopper'. Apparently, the horse has a great conformation and looks to be extremely health (see attached photo).
Would appreciate your view ... or anyone else, too.
Jay Spurr
Alexandria, VA.
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Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 2050
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 9:23 am: | |
Jay, welcome to HA..
Your choice is very pretty, BUT she comes with issues.. are you prepared to deal with them? Vet costs , possible special shoes.. good days bad days??
There are a lot of nice horses for sale without issues..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3111
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 1:44 pm: | |
Agree with Ann, I have a horse with "sticky stifles" and I don't like them . |
Lori
Member
Username: maggienm
Post Number: 799
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 4:37 pm: | |
Hi Jay, welcome, I agree with others. Besides, who knows in a few months or a year what your riding aspirations will have changed to and how sad if this lovely horse, that you surely will have fallen in love with, won't be able to keep up with you.
I have been searching for almost a year myself. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 21676
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 5:39 pm: | |
Welcome Jay,
I am going to play the contrarian here. The problem is that "sticky stifles" like "loose stifles" is a poorly defined term and can mean different things to different folks. Sometimes I have seen it applied to horses that I could not see a problem with. Sometimes it is applied when there is a little "thrum" or vibration seen as the horse is moving and presumed to be the medial patellar ligament as it travels over a bony prominence of the femur. I also am unsure how such a condition would worsen slow gaits or a rack. Perhaps you should have another veterinarian, or best your own veterinarian, appraise the horse under saddle doing things that you wish to do and see what they say.
DrO |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 690
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 8:05 pm: | |
Hi Jay,
A good pre-purchase exam should catch any lameness. Loving the horse is important, but I hope someone has pointed out that this horse, though lovely, may not be the best choice for learning or advancing in dressage. Her conformation and (I'm assuming) saddleseat background may be fairly significant obstacles.
Good luck in your search, and welcome to HA. |
