Percheron X pony mare

[carolinagirl]

It sounds to me like they are honest people. The fact that they told you that the one horse is not being sold because it's dangerous makes me think that they are not trying to hide anything from you. I hope all goes will with the exam! She is lovely and sounds like a really easy keeper.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

These sound like very honest people... Not the kind that would cheat you. Good for them! You found the best horse sellers ever!

She seems to be a very nice horse! The one question that I have (that I don't think has been asked) is, do you know why her back is swayed? It isn't too bad, but she is only 8, so it shouldn't be... Someone correct me if I am wrong...

 

[Lothiriel]

That's a sway back? I didn't know it. In the picture when she's out of harness she's on a slight slope so her back end is much higher than her front. It doesn't look as bad in the side view with her harness on. I had no idea it was a sway back... You said it's not too bad... Would it affect her pulling ability? If we end up riding her would it damage her back?

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Well, IDK... It could be just the angle. And no, it shouldn't hurt her. I have a 18-20 year old mare that has a very slight sway (much like this horse's) and we ride her. Walk, trot, and canter. I have no idea about pulling/driving. I don't have any experience at all with that... But maybe someone else will chime in and say that I am wrong. I know that some breeds naturally have a slightly bowed back. (making them easier to ride bareback )

 

[Lothiriel]

Maybe it's the breed.... Percherons seem to have more of a sway... http://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...=1154l2390l0l2604l9l9l0l1l1l0l136l831l3.5l8l0
And she is part Percheron...

 

[BrownSheep]

She seems like a great deal. Even more so if she comes with some gear.

 

[Karma]

I don't know in the harnessed pics it does look like she has a slight dip in the back though in the second picture with your sister her back looks normal though her back feet are way under her which can round the back some, I think she would benefit from building her topline either way. Some horses appear a bit swayed, especially when they have been out of work and lost muscling along the topline/abdomin however their back can be built back up. This is something I would definitely talk to the vet about to see if she is just lacking good topline muscling or if she actually has a sway back (also why I mentioned double checking her age before). It's really hard to tell from pictures of horses who are not set up square and on even flat ground.

 

[Lothiriel]

We're having a vet out Friday for a PPE. If she says all is good with Taffy and gives us a green light, we will bring her home that day. So... you can count on it that I'll let you all know on Friday afternoon or evening!


Question though.... Has anyone ever had experience/problems with EPSM (Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)? The vet said there's a $65 test we could do with mane hairs if we are concerned. Should we do that test? Or is it an uncommon disease? Would Taffy, since she's a "mutt" horse, be less likely to contract it?

 

[goodhors]

ESPM does seem to strike draft breeds more than others, but it is not unknown in saddle
horse breeds. Seems like I heard it started in younger animals, the WELL FED, ROUND,
mature young horses, but that might be wrong.

Guess you could read up on it, find the symtoms and ask about it to the present owners.
Being mixed breeding, she probably had less chance of having it, but no promises unless
she is tested.

I am not familiar with ESPM, just what VERY little I have read about it. You are forking out a fair
amount already for the pre-purchase exam, and specific tests can add up fast. You want to
be sure Vet understands how you plan to use her, because any 11yr old who lived with the Amish
part of her life is going to show some wear. That wear could be that she wouldn't be a good
long-distance driving horse, but since you folks plan to use her for only garden and logging,
there is not going to be a problem. Lot of ridden horses don't pass for jumping, still have
plenty of riding miles left in them. Just know that money gone if she fails any of the tests badly.
And that not passing PPE adds up for money spent in total, for ANY equine you end up buying.
You said $150 for the Vet, then add in $65 for ESPM, you have one-third her purchase price
spent before even getting her. And even with a GREAT PPE, she could colic or break a leg. Horses
do things like that, it is the nature of owning Livestock. She could also live to be 35 years old,
work for you all that time with no serious issues ever!! I sure hope long working life is the way it goes.

Did you check any sites on the bio harness? They sure are less work than leather, but also
don't last 50 years! Trade-offs!! There are quite a few harness sellers of the bio stuff, so
you need to know what a new one costs, before buying a used one. Used are always less,
if you can find the sizes you want. Sometimes the Amish can make you one fairly inexpensively,
but you still have to shop to find that guy. Now is a good time to shop for a harness maker, they
are not fixing things for Spring plowing yet. Get recommends if you go local or from the owners.
I like ordering harness to fit my horse, since nothing ever seems to fit when buying ready-made
in a box from a seller. Not sure what their model horse looks like, but NOTHING like mine!!
And you can send it back if the parts of custom made don't fit, if you give the correct measurements
to start. $400 sounded a bit high for used, but I never ordered work harness. Maybe it was almost
new. Did look like a good fit on her. The bio stuff is pretty darn strong for work, so a good value with
the easy care, lighter weight (leather weighs a LOT) features. We have several synthetic harnesses,
they have been excellent to use in all situations, good fitting, easy care.

 

[Beekissed]

Great deal!!! I like the info you gave and the pics, it sounds like you've thought this through quite thoroughly and have covered all the bases. I'd buy her in a heartbeat!