Hi

I have been offered a 14.2 cob on longterm/permanent loan. I have been without a horse now for about 10 years so was looking for a gentle plod really.
This horse seems to fit the bill in what I am after but he does have arthritis in his knees. The owner claims he is not in pain or lame. She is re homing him as she has several other horses which she works and takes up her time. She just wants a genuine home who s not going to over work,jump or compete him.
However the arthritis keeps nagging at the back of my mind. I certainly don't want massive vets bills and also don't want to go through having to make agonizing decisions.
I have asked the lady if she would look at a short term lease with view to extend at the end of the period. I feel that way then we both have a bit of control and I am not going to end up with a horse with no legs.
However I am out of touch with horses and I am hoping to hear from people who have owned horses that suffer with this. Maybe I am worrying too much or maybe I have every concern to be worrying.
Advice needed please as I need to contact the owner tomorrow to discuss things more.

Ask to speak to their vets and see what they say they say about the arthritis and how severe it is. Lots of horses with arthritis carry on working for years with no problems and only deteriorate when they stop working. It could be that it just needs supplements in it's food to treat it or it could be more serious. Really you need to speak to the vet that diagnosed it and is treating it.
Most people who offer horses on loan, even longterm loan are quite happy to take them back if problems arise. Usually that's the reason they offer them on loan.

Devils claw is excellent for mild arthritis

Apparently the horse is not on treatment. Do you think I would be insulting her to ask to talk to her vet? It's a bit like saying well I don't take your word for it I know I have to protect my own interest here though.
I see little harm in giving it a go (but I am a softie). I will be insistent on a contract based on shorter term i.e 6 -12 months to renew yearly or more if I feel the condition is stable.
I will also want a clause written that if with this condition, should it worsen that I can cancel, within a months notice, and the horse be returned. It will only go ahead really if the owner is agreeable to this. Do you think this is a reasonable request?
Even though I am a bit wary about this, I also feel the owner has been honest enough to tell me about his arthritis anyway. I mean not many people have a loan horse vetted.

Devils Claw, what's that? If it works I'll use it on myself

It is a herb with anti-inflammatory qualities.

An alternative with better supporting evidence is glucosamine which is thought to help the body produce cartilage.

As with people and dogs, arthritis is one of those conditions that effect sufferers in massively different degrees. I know nothing about loan horses, but it seems to me that you are doing the owner as much of a favour as she is doing you. Thus you need an agreement that you are both happy with. I personally (with my lack of knowledge) don't see any harm in asking for a vet report or having conditions built into the loan agreement.

I also know very little about horses themselves. However, it seems from my small experience that when they fall ill the vets bills are huge - colic, injured limbs etc. Who pays for this if the horse falls ill? Can you get insurance like you can with dogs/cats? (I know that won't help with the arthritis as it is a pre-existing condition)

NB - can I reiterate how little I know about horses and ask you to take any advice given/questions asked in that light

You may say you know little about horses, but all good sensible advice. All facts need taking into consideration.
yes you can get horse insurance. It has changed a lot since I had horses. Where you uses to be able to to insure the horse for health and cover yourself for riders insurance. It has now added show jumping, gymkhana ring etc into level 1 cover. Level 2 is everything else on top of that. I feel that is so unfair as it has whacked the cost up some bit. Plus do I lie and tell the insurance I know to my knowledge the horse is sound? If I declare the condition it probably won't be covered.
I am willing to give things ago. Say I take him on for 6 months (First 3 months) trial period. It may well be he just gets a bit of stiffness in the first 10 minutes of working. This time period should give me good knowledge of how sound he is. If I feel happy to continue with the loan after the 6 months I would probably extend the agreement for the following year and so forth.
I will also ask that drawn up in the contract due to this pre-exsisting condition that at any point the horse seems to be getting worse that the owner needs to be prepared to take him back. I am sure any decent owner would see that as a reasonable request given the circumstances and as she says cares for her animal.
Basically I am happy to take the horse on with the agreement of basic horse care and costs, to do light work with, of which she has asked of me.
So when I speak to her properly I will mention these things to be drawn up into the contract. If she feels I am taking the horse on knowing of his condition, so should be prepared to settle vets bills. Alarm bells will ring in my head telling me that she is dumping me with a problem horse, and I will say 'No'.
I will ask her to forward me the contract and make sure I read it properly before signing it, before arranging for the horse to come here.

Is there any particular reason why you want this horse specifically??

There are plenty of horses looking for loan homes at the moment with people feeling the pinch. Have you looked on the open market for horses to loan? Personally I wouldn't take the horse on, I think you are just going to give yourself vet bills to pay for someone elses horse.

If the horse is not currently receiving any treatment for the arthritis from the vets then it doesn't mean that the horse would benefit from supplements to help postpone the inevitable degeneration of the joints. Supplements such as Cortaflex (around £70 for 3 months supply) would be hugely good for the cob. Also things like devils claw/no bute etc.

My advise would be steer clear and look for something without the problems you are not asking for the impossible.

If you do go ahead never be shy to ask to speak to the vet treating the case, get their honest opinion and related costs. Contract wise, make sure you spend time and money drawing up a contract that will stand up in court. As these agreements can be tricky to settle should the worst happen. Be aware that any insurance policy on the horse will likley exclude the affected legs. Simply lieing to the insurance company, will not work as before any payout they will require a letter from the vets acknowledging their was no previous treatments they are not aware of.

If I can help any more please PM me

thanks Jo

If the OP wants a horse why not consider Horse's Trust or World Horse Welfare (aka ILPH).

At least you can be sure of their motives then rehousing a horse. The on loan on contract sounds ok but what happens if there is an argument. The horse is on your land / livery and the owner is not going to take it back.