BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THESE CONDITIONS

Lameness-related problems such as

Bowed Tendons - thick, bulging flexor tendons; depending on severity, may or may not be serviceably sound; prone to reinjury.

Navicular syndrome - forelimb lameness from mild to severe; often treatable with proper shoeing.

Laminitis (founder) - horses that have had a severe bout with laminitis make poor performance choices but can make acceptable breeding animals. Mildly affected horses, if managed correctly, might return to some level of use but may be at increased risk to refounder.

Cracks - Deep, vertical cracks extending to the coronary band can be a red alert, especially if there is a moist discharge from them. It can be time-consuming and costly to restore such hooves. Superficial cracks are usually of no concern.

Spavin - Enlargement of the hock; can be fluid or bony growth.

Nerving - A severing of the nerves to give the horse relief from pain in that foot. May be evident as small scars at the back of the pastern. May be unsafe as a riding horse. With careful management can be a breeding animal.

General Health problems such as

Melanomas - a slow-growing cancerous tumor of the pigment-producing cells. Generally not curable. Common on the head and under the tail in older gray horses.

Moon blindness - A chronic, recurrent inflammatory eye disease that often leads to blindness.

Parrot mouth - incisors that exhibit an overbite causing eating difficulties and dental problems.

Hernia - umbilical or scrotal hernias are fairly common in foals but many heal (retract) without treatment by two months of age. Those that don't will require veterinary treatment, usually surgery.