joyfulminis
New Member
Hi there! I have owned and been around horses all my life but have never worked with or owned a weanling, this will be my first time. I do not know much about weaning...but the lady I am purchasing my colt from has already weaned the colt at 9weeks old?! From what I have read, that is much too early. She contacted me and said she was worried about him because he is not retaining weight well even though he is eating. And wants me to pick him up early because she doesn't have enough time to give him the individual attention he needs.
I also noticed he has a limp on his left hind leg when walking... his movement is not fluid, its like he draws his hind leg forward to take a step and it is mechanical or almost looks like its clicking. I thought it was just because he had his feet trimmed for the first time just before we saw him and she said he fought a lot to get it done, but I recently went to see him again and it's been over 4 weeks, his lameness is still exactly the same. The seller says its probly because she trimmed his heels down too far and his heel toe ratio is off which is causing over extension in his pastern... which does make sense to me. When I brought up the lameness initially, she said she was unaware of it but went and looked immediately and did not try to deny it. So she's not being shady... but this whole situation makes me concerned about buying him.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated!
would you still make the purchase?
will he be stunted from being weaned too early?
have you seen foals with mechanical movement grow out of it? (something the seller mentioned)
do you think it could be a low heel issue? (obviously this would be just opinion based since I am unable to post a video of his movement)
do you think buying, and having her sign a paper saying she will take him back and exchange for a different colt in so many days/ months if he gets worse or doesn't get better is a good idea?
she seems to be very honest and upfront, and willing to work with me. I am just uncomfortable possibly buying a bad apple.
I also noticed he has a limp on his left hind leg when walking... his movement is not fluid, its like he draws his hind leg forward to take a step and it is mechanical or almost looks like its clicking. I thought it was just because he had his feet trimmed for the first time just before we saw him and she said he fought a lot to get it done, but I recently went to see him again and it's been over 4 weeks, his lameness is still exactly the same. The seller says its probly because she trimmed his heels down too far and his heel toe ratio is off which is causing over extension in his pastern... which does make sense to me. When I brought up the lameness initially, she said she was unaware of it but went and looked immediately and did not try to deny it. So she's not being shady... but this whole situation makes me concerned about buying him.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated!
would you still make the purchase?
will he be stunted from being weaned too early?
have you seen foals with mechanical movement grow out of it? (something the seller mentioned)
do you think it could be a low heel issue? (obviously this would be just opinion based since I am unable to post a video of his movement)
do you think buying, and having her sign a paper saying she will take him back and exchange for a different colt in so many days/ months if he gets worse or doesn't get better is a good idea?
she seems to be very honest and upfront, and willing to work with me. I am just uncomfortable possibly buying a bad apple.
