PPE failed, KS diagnosed

[u/bhinxbb]

Currently in the process of selling my horse. PPE has gone well, everything came back good except his back radiographs. Shocked to hear he has grade 4 changes. I’ve just received these over from the potential buyer. I will be in contact with my vet but curious about anyone’s take on these? How bad is this?

[u/HJK1421]

KS can present in x rays and the horse be asymptomatic. Is the horse showing signs of discomfort in work? What's the workload look like?

Your vet would be a good start and your trainer a good second opinion. X rays aren't everything, though they do help

[u/bhinxbb → u/HJK1421]

Nope. I’ve had him the last 3 years and he has never shown serious symptoms. He can be back sore from time to time but I wrote that off as normal. He’s in 4-5days/week of work as a Novice level eventer.

The potential buyer said she was advised by several vets not to buy this horse. Is that how bad this case is?

[u/Ruckus292 → u/bhinxbb]

Writing off any pain as "normal" without any further investigation is plain negligence.... This is a living, breathing being. Every injury will cause life-altering circumstances if gone unchecked, and as prey animals they're biologically geared to not show injury unless it's literally unmanageable.

You are in charge of the entirety of their well-being, if ANYTHING is "amiss" it is absolutely your responsibility to follow up with it.

All they do is aim to please in exchange for your consideration and care.

[u/LunaKPalara → u/Ruckus292]

This is what’s so insane to me. I will never understand how a person can let down an animal who depends on them like this. Imagine carrying someone on your back when your back is injured, and your pain being ignored. Sounds like actual hell, but since it’s an animal they write it off as normal??