Anyone know this horse? A different one now...

[BigMick]

From the pic it looks like he's hunted. I'd want him for eventing.

I've emailed the owner, but thought someone here might know him.

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=795869

[SteeleRdr]

I don't know the horse, but those are some pretty "strong" boots the horse has on it's legs. They give a ton of support to the horses legs and the guy I used to train with for eventing told me to shy away from horses that had to wear these. Of course, I ended up with a mare that eventually had to go with these on her fronts becuase she had suspensory issues. That is just my experience.

What a big guy though!!! Cute face!

[MuleLady]

Yeah, but some people use boots all the time simply as a precaution and not for any specific reason. Good looking horse!

[Laurel&HollyFarm]

I know they are not the best for eventing and water but my husband really likes them and uses them on his horse. I would think that many non-eventers would use them for trail riding or perhaps hunting.

The horse is really cute :yes: .

Just wandering over from eventing, I will go back now ;) .

[Red Hunter]

Ditto what MuleLady said and also, some foxhunters put boots to protect their horse's legs from rough terriroty. Quite often the hunt will have to go through some pretty rough country (brush and thorns, etc.).

[Jaegermonster]

Definitely looks like a hunter to me too. I wouldn't worry too much about the boots, they are just Professional Choice boots, no more or less than any other boot. Lots of people use them just for protection. I had some once and hated them, now I use Woof boots.

[SteeleRdr]

Red Hunter- I know about hunting so you don't have to tell me about using boots for leg protection, but personally, would definitely not use those specific type for hunting because they get heavy when wet.

Like I said, it was just my experience with the professional choice boots like that, that I was told by my old trainer, and a vet, that they provide more support than most boots and to beware of them. If I have to use boots out hunting, usually just use woof boots, they hold up a bit better and burs and other brush don't stick to them like they do to the professional choice ones I use on my mare.

[alysheba]

I don't know the horse, but those are some pretty "strong" boots the horse has on it's legs. They give a ton of support to the horses legs and the guy I used to train with for eventing told me to shy away from horses that had to wear these. Of course, I ended up with a mare that eventually had to go with these on her fronts becuase she had suspensory issues. That is just my experience.

What a big guy though!!! Cute face!


True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying! :yes:

He's a big boy though

[justjay]

he is adorable!!
i love him and i wouldn't worry about the boots now because he is foxhunting

[MuleLady]

True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying!

What?! I had to read that comment twice to believe you actually said it. :confused:

That horse looks like he'd have a great big ol' gallop stride! Intelligent face with just the right amount of "attitude" ... looks like a nice eventing prospect.

[dawglover]

:eek: Oh good Lord Aly quit being so darned rude. Not everybody in this world is built like a stick.

[wateryglen]

Ditto! And it's a nice one.....but what ARE you thinking!! A GRAY!!????:winkgrin:
Boots are nadda. Since we're being catty here!......what IS it with eventers and their equipment anyway....specially the leg gear....if the horse is THAT much of a klutz = why are they eventing it?!!! ;)
In our area; mostly you don't see leg gear on fieldhunters.

And nobody, I repeat, NOBODY, should make weight related comments or I'll come find you and .......:cool: ......well.....it wouldn't be pretty!!......
I've lost #192 over the recent years......But I'll still sit on you and squish you like a bug!! And a few board members on here will join me to increase the weight...and the pain!!! :yes:

[x-rab]

Watery saw you last year at Old Dominion races and Warrenton trail ride. I don't know where you were hiding the weight, because you didn't look very heavy to me. I know all about trying to lose, because it doesn't want to come off my body; however, you couldn't squish anyone if you have lost a lot of weight since then.

[Red Hunter]

[QUOTE=SteeleRdr]Red Hunter- I know about hunting so you don't have to tell me about using boots for leg protection, but personally, would definitely not use those specific type for hunting because they get heavy when wet.

SteeleRdr,

The content of my post was not directed at YOU. It was simply an explanation provided to BigMic as to why a foxhunter might put boots on their fieldhunter.

[Red Hunter]

[QUOTE=alysheba]True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying! :yes:

Alysheba,

Your remark was uncalled for. What a bitchy thing to say. Do not ever come onto this Board and criticize other foxhunters in that manner.

[~Freedom~]

True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying! :yes:



They already roasted and banned a witch that made comments like that on another board. That is not cool, at all.

[escondi]

That's a nice looking horse. Nice facial expression. I wouldn't worry about the boots - just protection. Besides, if anything's up it will be caught in your vet check.

Commenting on another person's weight (male or female) is mean-spirited. Why, an intelligent person with a high IQ would never meander down that path.

[magnolia73]

Alysheba-
Maybe we should round up all the non rich, non smart, non thin, non blonde, non republican, non mothers, non business women - you know the less than superior women (like yourself- because you are, after all PERFECT) out there and have them shot. :mad:

FWIW, that is a lovely horse.

[eclipse]

True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying! :yes:

He's a big boy though

And, you my dear, are a bi$%h, but now bless your heart as you surely must realize that by now..........being a "mensa" member with that ultra-high IQ? Hmmmmm, now how about posting a picture or 2 of yourself, so that you can get the critiques you are now so deserving of? :mad:

[jonquilTN]

Alysheba strikes again. :(

Methinks she should not join a hunt anytime soon however I'm sure the Hillsboro Hounds would make small game of her after a comment like the one above.

To the OP- I have heard of this horse before but have not seen him in person. Looks like a very nice horse from pic. I'd take a look! Lots of horses for sale in this area- may make a good shopping trip for you.


-JTN

[Red Hunter]

Alysheba strikes again. :(Methinks she should not join a hunt anytime soon however I'm sure the Hillsboro Hounds would make small game of her after a comment like the one above. -JTN

jonquilTN,

I thought that the horse may have hunted with Hillsboro Hounds when I saw the location of Franklin, TN. I got to meet some of their members several years ago during the "Bad Girls Tour" in 1998. A few foxhunters from Tenn. came up to Virginia for a week for partying and hunting. What a fun bunch of people.

[2WBs1TB]

Alysheba, I'd say that horse has a much easier time carrying that rider than it would you and the big-ass chip on your shoulder.

Why don't you go find some nice sharp object, sit on it and rotate for a while?

[MuleLady]

Waterglen looks like a toothpick now. She couldn't squish a bug. I, however, can lend "ample" support, LOL.

[Ware Whip!]

I like the looks of that horse..
Honest eye, big barrel chest..
I'd like to see a side pic myself..

WOW I can not belive that "weight" remark
What an unkind thing to say!

Shame on you :no:

WW

[Janet]

Like I said, it was just my experience with the professional choice boots like that, that I was told by my old trainer, and a vet, that they provide more support than most boots and to beware of them. The manufacturer's CLAIM that they provide more support. But I unerstand there are independant studies that do NOT confirm it.

[equusrocks]

I love his expression. What a pretty boy.

[Dezi]

The manufacturer's CLAIM that they provide more support. But I unerstand there are independant studies that do NOT confirm it.


Plus with how loosely they are put on, I doubt much support is being given at the point the pic was taken. That being said, if he was a blood bay, you would have to beat me to him! I think that he is very attractive, and is certainly worth a look!!

(BTW, I did have a horse strain suspensories and check ligaments in the mid '90's (1990's, not 1890's!), and used the Pro Choice boots from that point on. I did know how to apply them so that they did not slip, and he never had another problem with his legs. He was a solid prelim horse, did two intermediate HTs, and three CCN* in the PC boots. Was he healed or did the boots help?? Who knows!!)

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by alysheba
True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying!

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/avatarspartner/?action=view&current=5-9-2006-23.jpg

Hey Aly,
Pot I'd like you to meet the kettle..........you're a tad large for your yearling aren't you? You have stated that you are riding him in endurance already!!:eek:

[excowgirlie]

gosh, I thought the OP asked if anyone knew the HORSE? If no one does, fine, but to have a debate about the rider and boots? sheesh...

[Chunky_Monkey]

True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying! :yes:

He's a big boy though

Are you always this nasty?:confused:

[mazu]

Don't hate on alysheba. She could set you ppl Free from your Weight -- just ask her!

[J Swan]

Nice horse - if you don't want him I'll buy him! I don't care for boots out hunting - but it's none of my business if others choose to use them.

I did use splint boots for eventing though - more as an affectation than anything else. I thought they were a PITA.

About the weight thing - that's the sort of question the hens on the dressage board like to cluck over. Women are their own worst enemies - no wonder we're all on Prozac, estrogen and saving up for the ultimate boob lift operation. Foxhunters hunt. Dressage riders agonize over whether or not the cut of their Pikeur makes their butt look too big - take that caa caa over there please.

That horse looks fully capable of handling that weight - be it male or female. I like him - I bet he'd be a good eventer too - at least you could be pretty sure he wouldn't kick all the dogs that run around at horse shows. That's always a bonus!

Are you going to go see him?

[Beezer]

Are you always this nasty?:confused:

In a word ... yes ... yes she is. :rolleyes:

I don't hunt nor do I event, but I'd still buy that cute horse in a heartbeat. Iffn I were looking for another cute horse, that is.

[OakesBrae]

He's gorgeous. I don't know him - but at that price I'd snap him up too!

[JackieBlue]

The woman on that gorgeous horse obviously knows her stuff to have such a cutie in the first place and he looks extremely well cared for. She shouldn't take Alysheba's criticism to heart anyway because you don't even have to be hefty for Alysheba to make cracks about your weight. She slung a "fatty insult" my way and I'm 5'8" and 130 lbs. and my favorite jeans are a size 4. :rolleyes: I can't even imagine what would make someone say/type the things she does anyway. Terrets?

[EqTrainer]

I don't know the horse, but those are some pretty "strong" boots the horse has on it's legs. They give a ton of support to the horses legs and the guy I used to train with for eventing told me to shy away from horses that had to wear these. Of course, I ended up with a mare that eventually had to go with these on her fronts becuase she had suspensory issues. That is just my experience.

What a big guy though!!! Cute face!

Oh, don't give it a second thought, as on this particular horse they have been put on so incorrectly they are more likely to bow a tendon than give him support.

[Giselle]

Don't hate on alysheba. She could set you ppl Free from your Weight -- just ask her!


Who is she, Jenny Craig? :)

[Dispatcher]

was that a real picture of her with a yearling that someone posted? If so, she really needs toabide by the Golden Rule!!!

[BasqueMom]

Enough about the weight thing, okay guys???

The horse is lovely and I'd like to own him, and I'm not a gray fan. Lovely
expression and eye.

[tradewind]

i think he looks like a wonderful horse, sturdy but not coarse, lovely kind expression, nice deameanor overall..as an aside, i think that the personal remarks made about the riders weight in the picture were just deplorable..if you have such a lack of self esteem that you need to make yourself feel superior by focusing on others perceived thoughts you need professional help in a big big way..shame on you alysheba..who died and left you the weight police.

[tradewind]

it was supposed to say perceived faults..not thoughts

[hoopoe]

Who is she, Jenny Craig

Good Heavens No!

I am a Jenny Craig member and you would never hear such a harsh judgment within those walls.

If you make one upon yourself you get a gentle guidance back to a positive motivation.

Hoopoe proudly down 18 pounds in the first month.

FWIW I love the handsome horse in question. He looks substantial and generous. The woman riding looks like she might be, what, 5'4"? If he goes well for someone who's legs come half way down his barrel, I imagine he could be suitable for many riders.

That is not to say that the woman in question might be able to ride rings around most anyone in the field and this horse might be a "pros" horse.

He definitely looks worth two looks

[BigMick]

J Swan I do hope to go look at him soon. I'm absolutely smitten and willing to buy stock in QuickSilver!!

I think he'd be an ideal eventer given his experience and size.

I'm 5'11" and ALL leg, so I think he'd fit me nicely. My current horse is built the same way and takes up my leg pretty well.

Wish me luck!

[promlightshine]

Originally Posted by alysheba
True, but it be a cautionary measure...look at the lady he's carrying!


Hmmm I thought it was funny and that lady could certainly be me and probably what most of us thought. ANyway, that's not what the topic was about.

That horse reminds me of my friend's horse. Former steeplechase horse improted from England except that Cadbury isn't grey. That conformation gave my friend wonderful rides, lots of wonderful jumps and memories to last a lifetime on the hunt field. I like his eye...

Good luck in your search and may he be the one you are looking for... :)

[flash1]

I use those on one of my guys when we're going out in " brushy" country...he gets dinged up all the time...more of a precaution than anything

[imissvixen]

he's a lovely horse. no offense intended but he looks to me like he wants to be a hunt horse, not an eventer. Good hunt horses are so hard to find. There are lots of event horses out there.

I am not big on boots like that in the huntfield as I always worry they are going to get caught up in something or all muddy and wet and chafing.

18 pounds in one month!!! How???

[Laurel&HollyFarm]

he's a lovely horse. no offense intended but he looks to me like he wants to be a hunt horse, not an eventer. Good hunt horses are so hard to find. There are lots of event horses out there.

How in the heck can you tell from the photo that he wants to be a hunt horse?

I quess the grass is always greener but I don't know that there are more event horses out there than hunt horses. Of course my eventer DOES NOT want to be a hunt horse. Thank the lord as he would not be mine if he did :D .

[Bogie]

I don't need a third horse, but I wish they were selling foxhunters that look like that one in my area for that price! Definately worth a look.

Who knows, he might turn you into a foxhunter!

[ESG]

.....as I'm looking at buying a possible project/possible keeper TB. I say "possible project" because my projects usually turn into keepers. :lol:

Alysheba, mind your manners. If that truly was you in those photos with the yearling (?) chestnut Arab, you need to be looking for the kettle, Miss Pot. How rude can you get? :no:

[Mariequi]

I really like this horse. Please let us know what comes of your checking him out. Looks like he's capable of many wonderful disciplines. What a lovely expression. I was surprised that at 16.3 he was listed at 1200 lbs. My TB/Paint at 2-1/2 was 15.1 and 1100+. Yes, I know, chunky girl, and taller now and less weight. But, the Irish draughts I took care of for a while were between 16.3 and 17.2 and their pounds ran from between 1350-1700+. If Aly would like to critique weight issues, I can post my own photos and those of my mare. You know, and Alysheba was one of my fave horses of all times...

[Mtn trails]

I don't come over to this topic often (okay, never) but I was intrigued. This horse is an absolute cutie! I think he'd do fine for whatever discipline you pointed him in. Nice substance, good size, and very good looking. What more could you ask for?

[imissvixen]

How in the heck can you tell from the photo that he wants to be a hunt horse?

I quess the grass is always greener but I don't know that there are more event horses out there than hunt horses. Of course my eventer DOES NOT want to be a hunt horse. Thank the lord as he would not be mine if he did :D .

It's just a look in his eye that says "I want to hunt!!!" Seriously, I think that there are many more event horses in the world than hunt horses. Lots of people say that their horses are hunt horses but they don't actually have serious (or any) hunting miles on them. I would bet that there are at most 200 horses in NC that have significant hunting experience. There are probably at least that many horses that will show up at Lumber River next week.

My hunt horse has two solid years hunting so I still consider him a greenie. A made hunt horse should have more years IMHO.

Anyhow this is all tongue in cheek as my hunt horse events as well just not with me.

[wateryglen]

I get all crazed when people classify horses as "event" horses or "hunt" horses and that's the job they get no matter what! It's the RIDERS that can't hunt, or event or whatever......:mad: MOST horses can do more than 1 thing well with training & exposure. My appy goes western, hunts, events, show ring hunters, won ribbons in JPR's, and is cute as a button doing dressage! Some he's better at than others but sheeeesh!! WHY does he HAVE to be a "hunt" horse or "event" horse.....why ain't he just a horse!!??? with endless possibilities limited only to his owners imagination and guts!??
What's really sad is when the horse changes hands; he's tied to whatever label his previous owner gave him!! My appy!!?? He's a "husband" horse!!! :winkgrin:
There now, I feel better! Still looking for Alysheba to go sit on......:D

[x-rab]

WG, you don't weigh enough to make that threat any more. Now if I made that threat, she would have something to worry about. Tell you what, you can sit on my lap when I sit on her.

[wateryglen]

Xrab & I are gonna do a joint sit down on Alysheba! Anybody wanna join in?!! :lol:
( Wateryglen tries to create a mental picture of just WHAT this will actually look like....)
Man....I'm hungry....and I'm MEAN!! :mad:

[Red Hunter]

Sure, I will join in the fun -- I can contribute 155 lbs. to the pile; that is if there is anything left of her.

She is being ripped to shreads on a couple of other forums. There might not be much left to sit on when everyone gets done with her.

[Mariequi]

I'm farther away, but have more weight to contribute. Let's go!

[J Swan]

I'd volunteer to go too except that I've been a meanie over on the dressage forum - but not about weight.

[tradewind]

sign me up..i will be happy to assist:D

[Coup De Des]

I'd volunteer to go too except that I've been a meanie over on the dressage forum - but not about weight.

yes but you make valid points, with evidence and formed from experience.

[S4zeus]

He is a tank of a TB. I thought he was a perchX. Then I read where it said he had never raced. He is a good looking horse. The boots aren't an issue. But they do look like they have slipped in the picture.

[Windy Willow]

Not to take away from this great looking horse but he reminds me so much of my retired foxhunting horse.( He was tank too and actually looked bigger than he was. I hope you try out this horse looks like a winner.

Don't you think they resemble one another?

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/windywillow123/WWandEarlGrey.jpg

[OakesBrae]

What a beautiful horse Windy Willow!

[Painted Wings]

Well, I'd like to know......

Did the orginal poster go look at the horse and what did they think?

Do we need an animal communicator to find out if the horse wants to event or hunt.

Personally my horse events and hunts just fine. If you ask him he'd much rather hunt. But then he's been eventing for 6 yrs and only really hunting for one. I think he's bored with the whole event scene although he loves dressage. I don't think I've ever had a horse that loved dressage before but when I school him he's tons of fun and reallys seems to enjoy it.

But no matter what he prefers he needs to do whatever I put him in the trailer to do that day. That is until he finds another source of income to where he can pay his own shoer, vet, feed bill, etc. Then he can do whatever he pleases.

[J Swan]

I'd like to know too - that was a lovely horse.

Windy Willow - your horse is lovely too. I'm a sucker for grey horses (as long as I'm not the one scrubbing stains out of their coats!)

[BigMick]

Hi everyone!

I am going to try him out next weekend.

I am so excited I could just faint.

I'm a sucker for greys too. Both greys and bays make me weak in the knees. My first horse was a grey so I'm no stranger to scrubbing off poo spots. This was back in the day when we used cornstarch and laundry bluing to make them look whiter.

Painted Wings, you are right on...until my horse pays the bills he will do what I tell him or else move on. My current horse absolutely loves dressage. I think he really just enjoys showing off for his admirers or something. He's a metrosexual among a bunch of rowdy rednecks so eventing is just not his thing.

Windy Willow, your horse is GORGEOUS!!

Wish me luck!

[J Swan]

Wishing you luck - please let us know how it goes.

Hey - I think cornstarch and laundry blueing are perfect for greys - that's what I used and it was much cheaper than the fancy stuff at the tackstore (which was just a bottle of blueing with a horse head stamped on the bottle anyway).

[BigMick]

J Swan, I'm all about the "cheap stuff".

That laundry bluing and cornstarch earned me zero penalty points during formal inspection at Pony Club rally when I was a kid. All my teammates had brown horses and got penalty points for having dirty horses. At least with a grey horse you can see where the dirt is!

Another place where it's easy to get ripped off is horse treats. I buy generic wheat thins, 2 for $3. My horse gobbles them down. Much cheaper than "horse treats".

[x-rab]

OK ladies, since you know about blueing, how do I get blueing stain out of my formerly white towels?

[Mariequi]

Okay, pulling my hair out with the Paint's white w/black streak tail. I think if I could get the old stains out, we'd be okay to go from here. Should I look for Mrs. Stewart's... Sorry, wrong thread.

[BigMick]

Well, I went to see him last weekend.

He is maybe one of the sweetest horses I've ever met. He has impeccable ground manners, a super personality, big healthy feet and clean legs.

I enjoyed riding him. He is very out of shape right now and quickly tired, but he never quit on me or got nappy. With some conditioning and consistency, he'll have a nice dressage foundation. He needs some work doing gymmastics to improve his jumping style, but he is totally honest. I envision having a blast on XC with him.

The lady that owns him might be one of the nicest people ever. I really enjoyed meeting her and she was very generous with her time. After the test ride, she suggested that we take a big trail ride. So we gave him a rest, then saddled up her other horse and set out on a 45 minute trail ride. Of course, he was perfect and fun.

I would LOVE to buy this guy BUT here's the major issue...

He has melanomas. There are two on the inner buttocks that are hidden by his tail. He has a few on his sheath including one that is as large as a globe grape. There were one or two on the inner part of the sheath as well. He also had what felt like the beginning of one near his throatlatch.

I've been researching melanomas and it seems there are some drugs and herbal therapies. However, once it goes systemic they can go down hill fairly quickly. I'm not sure what the test to determine if they've gone internally.

My trainer has been out of town so I'm awaiting her return to discuss this with her and then possibly the vet.

Thoughts??

p.s. here are pics from my test ride:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=551636970&security=DmCsWb

[pegasus209]

He is awesome!!!!
Gosh, he looks like a blast. :D
My arab gelding had melanomas too, they never were a problem for him. Maybe he was the exception to the rule though..? Hopefully others can chime in on that.
This guy is absolutely adorable, what a fun horse!!

[SteeleRdr]

I know a Farnley pony that a friend of mine owned, he had melanoma's also, he finally passed away of old age at 29, and he had had melanoma's since he was 10. I guess he also may be another exception to the rule.

[Gallop~on~Grant]

My guy has melanomas. He had two on his tail that stayed the same since he was a 3 year old. They didn't get any bigger until he turned about 23. He is now 27 and the melanomas have never affected him. The arthritis and ring bone were the reasons I retired him. My husband tells everyone that he will live longer than Methuselah! Based on my experience with melanoma's I wouldn't pass up a fantastic horse because of them...

And the ones on his sheath, I have experience with those too. My vet puts those tiny rubber bands that they use to castrate goats around them. They just die and fall off. I know this probably sounds cruel, but my gelding never seemed in pain. I don't think the melanomas have the same nerve endings in them as regular tissue. And I would know because he is a very sensitive guy....

You can contact me if you would like to discuss further!

Good luck!

Cheryl

[Albion]

I've always been under the impression that greys, while they develop melanomas much more frequently than other colors, rarely DIE from melanomas. Whereas in horses of another color, melanomas are usually the cause of death if they develop.

You might want to do a search in the horse care forum, I'm pretty sure this has been discussed several times.

[BigMick]

I've been searching the topic and seems to be a mixed bag.

Some horses are fine and others are riddled with them. One person's horse went in for colic surgery and they found them all over the horse's intestines.

The fact that this horse is 9 and has so many and one that's very large makes me nervous. My trainer is telling me to pass on him. :(

[Red Hunter]

Too bad about the horse. He sounds really nice except for the melanomas. I agree with your trainer about passing on this horse.

[Houndhill]

My horse was a gray TB with the usual melanomas around her tail when I bought her at age 9, and for a long time she was stable, but she developed more as she got older. Finally at age 23 one morning I went out and she was unable to rise. The necropsy revealed that she had a melonoma on her neck that infiltrated her spinal column and broke her neck.

I am emotionally not ready for another gray, maybe I will be some day. I know they have to die of something and statisically, I'm sure it is true that most grays will die of something else. Honestly, if I were in your position, I don't know what I'd do, well I know what I would do, but I can't advise you on what's right for you to do.

[jeniferkey]

My friend sold a 10 or so yr old grey TB. She had one or two melanomas under her tail. Within a year she had died. The vet said that internally she had many. Not encouraging.
Jennifer

[Painted Wings]

I have four greys in my pasture. The youngest is 16. The other three are well over 20. All have melanomas, all are fine. It's a risk. Question is it a risk you want to take? I don't know what the odds are. I do know that odds are pretty high that if they are grey, they will have melanomas. So if you want a grey horse.....

[Windy Willow]

Not to take away from this great looking horse but he reminds me so much of my retired foxhunting horse.( He was tank too and actually looked bigger than he was. I hope you try out this horse looks like a winner.

Don't you think they resemble one another?

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/windywillow123/WWandEarlGrey.jpg
I have two greys, the one in picture above has melanomas. He's had them under his tail for a long time. I bought him age 8 and he's now 22. The other grey I have is 23.He has them in his sheath also. and under tail.

I would guess he has MANY more years before they would effect him but thats only a guess and a gamble!:(

[Coup De Des]

almost ALL greys have melanoma.. if it's not visible on the outside, you better believe they have them on the inside.

Paints, Pinto's and Cremellos can also be affected.

It's a real shame you've decided to pass... he sounded wonderful.

[Houndhill]

Wow, Windy Willow, Earl Gray is indeed a stunner! Gorgeous, and you can tell he is a really cool guy from the look on his face! And he really does look so much like the horse the OP was considering.

I still adore the grays! OP, what did you decide to do? Someday I hope I will be brave enough to chance it again, when time has blurred my memories of Justine's final day enough. I certainly don't in the least regret having had the privalege of owning her. As they say, "If you didn't feel the pain, you would have missed the dance" or some words to that effect!

[BigMick]

Here's my plan...

I'm going to call the owner and discuss my reservations/reasons for declining. She's a very nice lady and I want to be upfront with her and not leave her hanging.

If she were to offer him to me at a very low price, I'd seriously consider him.

I'm no stranger to taking chances on horses. My last horse had uveitis and I snatched him up for $500 (he was slated for the knackers). He ended up being a stellar eventer despite only having vision in one eye. At 21, he's packing kids around and still winning at Novice level.

My current horse had much baggage (more mental than physical) from a career in Jumpers. He's now a very lovely dressage horse.

So, I would definitely take a chance on this horse, just not for $6K. However, I'm not going to insult her by throwing out some ridiculously low offer. I don't think she sees this boy as a commodity, rather more of a great hunt partner. So, I'll just decline and put the ball in her court.

[J Swan]

That sounds reasonable.

Best of luck.

[didgery]

Any developments?

[Sing Mia Song]

Have your vet do a rectal on the horse just to check if there's anything palpable. I once bought a super mare out of a board bill auction but turned her back because she had palpable melanomas in her colon. I kind of wish I'd kept her, even if I'd lost her to colic in a year--I paid $1000, and she was a do-anything, go-anywhere kind of horse. Wish I knew what happened to her after I sent her back.

[BigMick]

Well, I spoke with the owner and explained my reasons for passing on him.

She came back with a lower price, but I am going to keep him on the back burner for now.

There are a few others I want to look at first.

While we're at it... here's ANOTHER grey fox-hunter (no melanomas!) that I'm going to see this weekend.

He's in the Knoxville area (Marysville) and his name is Solo. Anyone know him?

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=552315348&security=qLuOns

[fuzzydise]

Lovely looking horse. Nice jump in him too. definatly good that he does not have any melanomas yet.
What is his age? I don't know him, I've just been following this thread for a while now. Good luck to you!

[BigMick]

He is 10.

The crazy thing is that he and my last horse (also named Solo) share the same great grandsire. How cool is that?? I always wanted another horse just like him but bigger so maybe this will be it.

I'll update again after I try him Sunday.

[Laurel&HollyFarm]

Can't wait to hear.