At the end of September had had a 5* vetting on a mare. She passed and so I bought her. After a week or so she got more and more reluctant to move forward when ridden. I phoned the vet and asked that the blood test taken at the time of vetting, be checked for any drugs ie painkillers. She said that it was early stages and let the horse settle in. The horse became worse and because of the shape and size of the mare I had her blood tested by my own vet to see if she was pregnant, they came back negative. He advised me to phone the vet that did the vetting again. I did, 4 times and she has not got back to me.
She now feels lame when hacking/trotting on her front right leg and does not even want to walk, also is very slow and careful about going down any step slopes (unfortuneatly my drive is fairly steep). I have since put the mare on a joint care product. She's been on it 15 days and I feel that it has not helped. Its not laminitus and I feel she may have arthritus.
I just do not know what to do? My husband does not want me to throw more good money after bad. He says if I pay for the blood test to be checked and its shows she was drugged then the next stage would be to try to sue the seller, he feels that would incure more expense and if I did win the case the seller may not have the money and could just get away with paying a few £s a week. Any advice? I have got a sweet mare that was supposed to be for me to hack and my daughter to compete at locals shows and I cannot do anything with, that cost me £2500+ expenses to date! All help appreciated.

Sorry I do not really have a clue about this - but suspect that you paid for a in depth survey (can we call it that???) If so is there any comeback on the person who did the vetting???? normally I would had assumed that insurance would have covered this so am assuming that you have no insurance ???
please forgive me if I have rambled.
regards
sue

Hello Sue
Yes I do have insurance and they have the vet cert, but I do not see how they can help. I have not paid for the vetting yet as firstly I was unhappy that she hasnt got back to me and secondly it was a complete waste of time and money - they'll probably threaten to sue me for not paying ! I have always paid my usual vet on time as that is the kind of person I am

the whole ponit of having the blood test is that the vet stores it for a certain amount of time,and if you discover any problems with your horse that could have been covered up by the vendor,the blood is retreived and tested,its your insurance policy!!! demand it gets done before its to late.any blood subsequently taken after the vetting or now wont count.

judging from the timescale given i would say she had definatly been buted upi always insist on a trial period,have the horse vetted,and then leave another couple of weeks before money exchanges,i know not everyone will agree on this but i feel if they are genuine,and want a home more than money they will agree.I know you are in a very difficult position now,it could be arthritis,or maybe something more serious,either way it will need looking into,im not sure how you will stand with your insurance either,having problems so soon.

I know what your saying. However if the test comes back positive for Bute etc, what chance do I get of getting my money back? Is it such a realistic insurance, has anyone else being in this situation

my vet told me that if this happened,it would prove fraud,and id have a very good case!it disgusts me that people do things like this to other people and their animals.

Actually got hold of the vet and he said that the blood test would cost £600 as there are 6 groups of tests. I have always bought a horse without a vetting, but this one was 150 miles from where I lived so thought I was safe! Will never have a vetting again, its a waste of money. Like you say how can people do this, thought I would recognise a con merchant. I've had horses since I was 13 and I am 51

I would start with Naturopath horse chiropracter. They are living beings and she might have taken an impact to the shoulder-scapula putting out thorasic 1 or withers. Their is a better health detox product for horses at Home Page on horses page. email me a small jpg pic of side shot of horse standing with head up in a natural stance to april@treelesssaddle.com and I will let you know if I see anything relevant.
do not give up
check out my utube stretches video's-free at Holistic Horse Works as well

Hi
You said you had your vet out..what did he say/think? You don't say if there is swelling, heat, pain on palpation, flexion, etc. Can you give me some more details?