Bone Chips?

Question

I'm looking at a ex racer who retired this last April. She has been stalled, rehabbed, and is currently ready to go out into a small paddock. She can be used for flat work only. So my question is: How much of a problem do you think this could cause in the future?

Answer 1

It depends on what you are going to want to use the horse for and were the chips removed or not and if they need to be removed or not.

If the horse is fine on flat and the chips are not acusing issues they may elect to leave them and not operate to remove them. If they are causing irritation they may have to be surgially removed.

The horse may not be sound for jumping.

If the horse has had surgery and the chips have been removed the horse should be fine and should not have issues.

But once again the horse may only be sound for flat work.

Many have the chips removed and go on the have second careers with no future issues. Some develop arthritis in the future. I would put the horse on a joint suppliment as it ages to help prevent issues with the area.

Answer 2

My Avitar, nailed it on the head.  Why buy a horse who's going to have more problems down the road?  Once the bone's chipped, then there are other problems that can go along with it...The bone's sharp now and can eventually cut through suspensory ligaments, etc.

Say "Thank you" to the seller and continue looking.  I had to do that once a long time ago when I was looking for my perfect match horse.  I looked at a horse called "My Last Chance" (Ring name) who was a 7 yr old TB gelding, who had two bows in the front (Hard and healed) and two splints in the back.  He rode like a dream BUT as an old horsetrader buddy of mine said, he had noplace but down to go.  For less money, I ended up buying a sound, clean legged 4 yr old Running QH type who looked more TB than he did QH.  He was with me for over 20 years...  He wasn't a made horse when I got him, I made him.

Answer 3

She's on a downhill slope with that joint no matter how good the care is, arthritis begins to set in and they just get gradually worse over time.  Before I spend a penny on her I'd get an x-ray and just see how bad it is in there now, not when she hurt it.  If there's a ton of scar tissue and joint debris, she's a broodmare, period.

There are so many nice sound horses now cheap, why spend all that money on drugs on a lame one?  :)