Is it a bad idea to buy a horse with "big ankles" or "racing jewelry"?

devilishjumper · 08-17-2006, 08:49 AM

I'm on the hunt for a horse. Originally my budget was $6000 but that was drastically brought down when i had a minor car accident costing me $3000. I worked so hard for that money the last few years and i don't want my hopes and dreams to slip away. My trainer is doing the best she can to find me a nice green horse for a low amount.

We found a horse named riley. He's 4 years old off the track 6 months NO training at all. 16.2 hands very cute and friendly. I got on him and he figured out the walk trot canter in a field no problem he's quiet enough to be a fun project but spunkey enough to have potential. They're asking $1,500. Awsome deal for this horse right.

Now the problem. He has big ankles. I'm not exactly sure what it is but my trainer said it's from the track and sometimes refered to as racing jewlry. This greatly decreases his re-sale value which is important because he may turn out to be a project horse for me i'll sell in a few years. He's been vetted and x-rayed and the vet said there's nothing there that would make him ever go lame from this and my trainer said she's had horses go through prelim with this ankle issue.

I'm quickly falling in love with this amazing horse. Am I stupid to buy him?

ches · 08-17-2006, 09:11 AM

Could you get another vet check? If you're satisfied that, when you try to resell him, the vet check will come back clean like yours did, then you don't have anything to worry about, right?

Commanderkins · 08-17-2006, 09:22 AM

Are you planning on doing pre-lim with him? will this problem, cause ringbone?

KASHA'S MOM · 08-17-2006, 09:38 AM

If you are dealing with cash limitations, do you really want to take a chance on a horse that may end up costing you a wad? If you are willing to take the chance that he may not be able to compete and want to offer him a retirement home that is one thing. As much as you love this guy - it might be better to check out a few more options. Any horse can end up with problems, but when you know there are issues to begin with it is kind of chancy. A vet check is always worthwhile when buying any horse. Good luck!

Sue B · 08-17-2006, 09:48 AM

It sounds like you are describing osselets. They are like an internal "callous" that forms as a resutl of pastern (over)extension during racing. As the pastern and cannon bones jam into each other as a result of the extension, a protective device is formed...the osselet. At first it can be sore and may even cause lameness. But, after a while the discomfort subsides and the horse generally remains sound.

While the actual osselets do not generally cause any issues...there can be underlying injuries that go with them that may end up in arthritis or other joint damage. In later years, this could be related to lameness/unsoundness issues. But, not all horses with osselets have other issues like this.

IMO, if you are planning on reselling, then it may not be a good idea to purchase what might be a potentially unsound horse. However, if you are willing to take that chance, then it does sound like you have a good horse that could provide lots of enjoyment....and who knows...he may remain sound his whole life.

DoWeDance · 08-17-2006, 09:52 AM

I paid 1,800 for a similar type horse a few years ago. She was recently off the track, and vetted sound. It was a big mistake. Looking back on it, she was worth maybe $800. Think about it: this horse is not trained. More than likely he will be very forward. I speak from experience when I say that you have a lot up against you when you try to retrain a horse that has been taught to run, run, run. Also, if the ankle issues are going to make him hard to resell, that should be a red flag that he should be hard to sell to you...get my drift? You can do far better for $3,000. I just bought a green broke 2 year old QH with not a blemish on her and superb breeding for $2,500. I have seen plenty of ads for hunter/ eventing / dressage prospects for under $3,000 who do not have the baggage the horse you are looking at comes with. Where I come from, OTTBs are a dime a dozen. If I were you, I would keep looking.

Froggygirl · 08-17-2006, 10:01 AM

The barn I work at deals with races horses and I have seen the very ankle problem you speak of many times. Most of the time it has no impact on the horse whatsoever. It just may be an eye sore.

Lou3 · 08-17-2006, 10:07 AM

If he was just for you maybe - although I probably wouldnt advise it, but if you plan on a resale project I would keep looking.

SalemsMom · 08-17-2006, 10:13 AM

Personally,I would see it as a stumbling block,right off,there are so many horses right now,that are sound and selling for hardly anything,so why settle?

View Poll Results: Buy him?
yes buy him	1	33.33%
no don't buy him	1	33.33%
other	1	33.33%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll

08-17-2006, 08:49 AM	#1
devilishjumper Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennslyvania USA Posts: 2,138 Images: 110	Is it a bad idea to buy a horse with "big ankles" or "racing jewelry"? I'm on the hunt for a horse. Originally my budget was $6000 but that was drastically brought down when i had a minor car accident costing me $3000. I worked so hard for that money the last few years and i don't want my hopes and dreams to slip away. My trainer is doing the best she can to find me a nice green horse for a low amount. We found a horse named riley. He's 4 years old off the track 6 months NO training at all. 16.2 hands very cute and friendly. I got on him and he figured out the walk trot canter in a field no problem he's quiet enough to be a fun project but spunkey enough to have potential. They're asking $1,500. Awsome deal for this horse right. Now the problem. He has big ankles. I'm not exactly sure what it is but my trainer said it's from the track and sometimes refered to as racing jewlry. This greatly decreases his re-sale value which is important because he may turn out to be a project horse for me i'll sell in a few years. He's been vetted and x-rayed and the vet said there's nothing there that would make him ever go lame from this and my trainer said she's had horses go through prelim with this ankle issue. I'm quickly falling in love with this amazing horse. Am I stupid to buy him? __________________ ~Kim~

08-17-2006, 10:01 AM	#7
Froggygirl Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 328 Images: 3	The barn I work at deals with races horses and I have seen the very ankle problem you speak of many times. Most of the time it has no impact on the horse whatsoever. It just may be an eye sore. __________________ God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no horses.

08-17-2006, 10:07 AM	#8
Lou3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 7,530 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	If he was just for you maybe - although I probably wouldnt advise it, but if you plan on a resale project I would keep looking. __________________ Save the Earth . . . it's the only planet with chocolate FFFL

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
WANTED: "Dead Broke"/"BOMB proof" horse for sister	Miss Robn Time	Equine Classifieds	21	07-01-2008 08:27 PM
Best "Natural Horse" Black and White Photo- "Closeup" and "Horse" Poll	ItsAThought	Forum Contests	7	07-02-2005 07:15 AM
Best "Natural Horse" Black and White Photo- "Portrait" and "Other" Poll	ItsAThought	Forum Contests	4	07-02-2005 06:52 AM
Shady horse "rescue" getting their "just deserts"	Lucky Duck	Horse Rescue / Adoption	17	03-31-2005 07:01 PM

08-17-2006, 09:11 AM	#2
ches Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,472 Images: 38	Could you get another vet check? If you're satisfied that, when you try to resell him, the vet check will come back clean like yours did, then you don't have anything to worry about, right?

08-17-2006, 09:22 AM	#3
Commanderkins Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm Canadian, So right on Eh! Posts: 2,668 Images: 40	Are you planning on doing pre-lim with him? will this problem, cause ringbone?

08-17-2006, 09:38 AM	#4
KASHA'S MOM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 108 Images: 5	If you are dealing with cash limitations, do you really want to take a chance on a horse that may end up costing you a wad? If you are willing to take the chance that he may not be able to compete and want to offer him a retirement home that is one thing. As much as you love this guy - it might be better to check out a few more options. Any horse can end up with problems, but when you know there are issues to begin with it is kind of chancy. A vet check is always worthwhile when buying any horse. Good luck!

08-17-2006, 09:48 AM	#5
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	It sounds like you are describing osselets. They are like an internal "callous" that forms as a resutl of pastern (over)extension during racing. As the pastern and cannon bones jam into each other as a result of the extension, a protective device is formed...the osselet. At first it can be sore and may even cause lameness. But, after a while the discomfort subsides and the horse generally remains sound. While the actual osselets do not generally cause any issues...there can be underlying injuries that go with them that may end up in arthritis or other joint damage. In later years, this could be related to lameness/unsoundness issues. But, not all horses with osselets have other issues like this. IMO, if you are planning on reselling, then it may not be a good idea to purchase what might be a potentially unsound horse. However, if you are willing to take that chance, then it does sound like you have a good horse that could provide lots of enjoyment....and who knows...he may remain sound his whole life.

08-17-2006, 09:52 AM	#6
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	I paid 1,800 for a similar type horse a few years ago. She was recently off the track, and vetted sound. It was a big mistake. Looking back on it, she was worth maybe $800. Think about it: this horse is not trained. More than likely he will be very forward. I speak from experience when I say that you have a lot up against you when you try to retrain a horse that has been taught to run, run, run. Also, if the ankle issues are going to make him hard to resell, that should be a red flag that he should be hard to sell to you...get my drift? You can do far better for $3,000. I just bought a green broke 2 year old QH with not a blemish on her and superb breeding for $2,500. I have seen plenty of ads for hunter/ eventing / dressage prospects for under $3,000 who do not have the baggage the horse you are looking at comes with. Where I come from, OTTBs are a dime a dozen. If I were you, I would keep looking.

08-17-2006, 10:13 AM	#9
SalemsMom Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,780 Images: 6	Personally,I would see it as a stumbling block,right off,there are so many horses right now,that are sound and selling for hardly anything,so why settle?