Posted by Catherine on April 26, 2004 at 23:21:22:
In Reply to: First Time Horse Owner- Is getting a horse w/navicular a good decision posted by Nancy on February 26, 2003 at 21:41:54:
: I have just recently been offered a free horse who has been diagnosed w/ vanicular. This was just yesterday, so I am still in research mode. I have grown up w/ friends who had horses, buy know little about this disease. I have read just about all the postings here and am still up in the air as to what to do. He is a standard breed who has just turned 13 and when I rode him I just mosied around the pen and he seemed as casual as can be. The offer came from a good friend of a friend so it would be a personal deal. She has too much in her life and a little girl now so offered my friend (an avid horse lover/lifetime owner) her two horses as they are not abused but emotionally neglected. He is the sweetest horse and I'm not really into the ownership soley for the riding as I've always just wanted to HAVE a horse. I do have means to financial support typical horse care and maybe a little more, but not extravagant costly proceedures and treatment. If I were to get him, what is the likelyhood of his going lame w/out excessive riding and good timely hoofcare? I'm not of heavy build just over a hundred- does this matter? Please give me some advise- I would really be heartbroken if I had to put down my first horse. P.S. Wouldn't be able to afford a horse's price except that he's free so am really tempted to jump at the offer
I would maybe lease him for awhile if you are really wanting to do this. Or, since the woman who owns him is your friend, maybe work out something where she keeps the horse and you take care of it and see how it goes. With any horse there is a risk of something happening, an injury, or whatever that will require some sort of expensive treatment. With a navicular horse, or other conditions, there is just a higher risk. I purchased my gelding with the knowledge that he had navicular, so I knew what I was getting into. I also rode him for a couple of years before I purchased him, so I knew he was well worth it.
Purchasing a horse with navicular really all depends on how much you are willing to spend and how much time you are willing to devote.