My horse has a 'L' freezemark?

Question

I've just got a horse on loan.He has a 'L' in a circle freezemark on his back.The owners of him said that the owners before them used him for eventing etc..and he had a bad accident while jumping.He had a operation on his leg but they wanted to still sell him as they thought that he wouldnt be up to there standard of eventing.Pipers owner just bought him because she just wanted to do steady hacks out on him but she hasnt got enough time to look after so we are.I have been getting his fitness back up and doing little canters on him and steady hacks etc.. but i dont know if he would be able to do any more(eg:jumping).We have had the vet over to check him out and he has got a big scar on his hind leg but he was not sure what was done to his leg in the operation.He said he couldnt get any information from rase vetinary centre where he had it done unless we had permition from the old owners as it was confidential.what should i do?

Answer 1

Well, you can see if the current owner can contact the old owners and get permission (in writing) for those records.  You can try to track the brand, but if the previous owner is not the person who bred him, it's likely that won't get you anywhere.  Alternately, your vet can take X-rays of that leg.  It usually doesn't cost an obscene amount of money (I think we paid under $200 last time we needed X-rays done of a horse's leg, and we had several views done).  If they have the right equipment, they can do it on-site and your vet should be able to tell what operation he had on the leg and whether he would be sound to jump.  

Answer 2

Talk to the people who owned the horse when the surgery was done and find out what happened, what surgery was done, who performed the surgery and what the prognosis was for his return to eventing before you buy the horse. (If you are simply exercising him, don't do any jumping without the current owner's written consent releasing you from any liability should the horse be injured while jumping.)

If the people who owner him while the injury occurred and the surgery was performed do not give written consent for you and your vet to talk to the vet who treated the horse, take him back and forget about him as a jumping prospect.