What do you think of this mare?

Question

So I'm looking up horses to buy, and I found this mare. I love her, she's a trail rider/barrel racer, exactly what I'm looking for! The only issue is I noticed in this picture her hoof seems to be chipped.

http://www.azhorseboarding.com/ads/view.php?gid=4&phid=1

It's the front right one (the horse's right one). Do you see it or is it just me? If you do, do you think it's an issue?

Maybe you expert horse people can look at the other pics they provided and tell me if you see something wrong or something of concern. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hmm..yea I understand what you're saying about the chip, but no worries!! Chips can be easily fixed by the farrier, but if you're worried about chips and cracks in the future (especially cracks), getting the hooves in mud help. I don't mean like knee high, thick, hard to walk in mud, but light, cool mud that won't hurt their legs when they walk in it. Sure it doesnt make fields look good and nice, but it really helps hooves! I heard that putting a little muddy areas around the water area in the pastures make the horses get their hooves in the mud, but just make sure that it isnt thick, hard to walk in, your horse is gonna get stuck kind of mud. Just a little mud is ok.

Answer 2

It's nothing, my horse chips his feet up pretty bad too, one good trim and she'll be good as new.

Answer 3

No worries! The farrier can fix that easy! Horses chip their hoofs quite often and can be fixed. It looks like she doesn't have shoes on. Shoes can prevent chipping!

Hope that helped!

Also, shes a beautiful horse!

Answer 4

The chips are nothing.  Regular farrier work will fix that with no problem.  She's attractive with a kind eye.  If I were a picking person, it seems that she is somewhat lacking in the neck department.  In some pics it looks very short.  And pic number 5.....it looks like there's something funny about her front end, particularly her left front.  But I've seen good pics make a so-so horse look great, and bad pics make a great horse look like a back yard nag.  I'm a firm believer in prepurchase exams.  Yes, they cost, but they can save a ton of heartache in the long run.

Answer 5

She looks lovely. Conformationally, I see an upright shoulder angle, which would be a problem if she were a dressage horse, but should cause no problems as a barrel racer/trail horse. Her neck and hindquarters need a little work to develop proper muscling but she looks like she'd muscle out well.

Other than that, she looks sweet, pretty and built for soundness in her legs. Love the color!

As for the chipped hoof, it's no big deal. It can easily be trimmed out and doesn't look to bad in the first place.

To me, if she seems like a good horse for you, go for it!

Answer 6

youl have no problems with that hoof she is slightly over at the knees but that is pretty comman other than that she is a real nice type of mare well put together nice shoulder and rump good buy i think leah

Answer 7

I dunno...it does look like her feet need to be done...if she isnt getting worked a lot or shown at all, the owners may have decided to pull her shoes because they are more expensive to keep on a horse than having them barefoot & she may be fine to just be in the field without them....but if you are going to barrel her you should get shoes on her for traction....anyways she looks nice, if you want a back-yard barrel pony, I'd say shes what you're looking for...decent conformation..nothing too bad..her bum is a little pointy..but h**l she may still be fast!

Good Luck with her!

Answer 8

If you are concerned about the chip, a good horse shoer can fix that.  It appears her feet are long enough that would not be an issue.  As far as the pictures go, they look okay.  But I would not buy any horse that I did not know the age, and how well she rides.  

Hope this helps

Barb

Answer 9

She's a nice looking horse with good conformation.  I would not worry one bit about the chipped hoof.  It's a normal thing to happen and it will grow out.  Shoes will definitely help to keep it from happening in the future.

Answer 10

She looks beautiful! I would ask the people about it, and maybe show the picture of the hoof to a ferrier.

Answer 11

It doesn't look like you have to worry about that unless there is internal damage. But you could put some hoof-flex on it and it can become stronger and repair itself.

   BTW Beautiful Horse!!  

Answer 12

Ok, just my opinion...in some pictures this mare looks underweight. Her croup isn't very filled out and her shoulder and withers are a thin. Regarding the feet, they don't look like they have been trimmed right (front toes look long, back look short). Lastly, she has a short, under developed neck.

Now, all that said, there doesn't appear to be anything that can't be corrected with proper exercise and diet (and of course shodding). I wouldn't worry about a surface chip in the hoof since proper trimming will correct a lot of things and the feet grow out pretty quickly.

If on personal inspection it appears deep or the horse is off, find another horse. Whatever you do, get the horse vetted before you buy!

She's got a cute face!

Answer 13

Thats an easy fix. If this is a concern you need to educate yourself a little more about horses. I would like to see you learn about the animal you are about to care for. You will be taking his life into your hands.

I'm not trying to be mean. You should have a good vet book on hand too.

She seems a little toed in and narrow based but not a big deal if just a riding horse.

http://astore.amazon.com/saferhorse08-20

Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 14

I like her! shes beautiful and if it is chipped, It can be easily fixed.

Answer 15

I am in no way an expert!! lol But I see what you are talking about and I think that after her next trimming and shoeing that part will be gone! It doesnt appear to be cracked. Her hooves might be just a little dry and would help alot if they had crude oil rubbed on them. If anything ask your farrier and they will be able to tell you if that part will be trimmed off. Again, I am in no way an expert but I have owned horses all my life :) I hope everything works out. By the way, She is beautiful!!