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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 561
 
Location: somewhere in the south | So, I found out that my older gelding has a heart murmur! He got to not feeling good, got dehydrated and of course I called the vet, found the murmur. He's older, early 20's. He's feeling much better, running around with the herd but now I have concerns about whether to run him or not!!? I don't have a backup but have been looking but my gosh...........who can afford some of these already running horses!!! I love my boy and the vet didn't say I couldn't, matter of fact, I can't even hear the murmur now that he's feeling better but it's still in the back of my mind..........I wouldn't want to stress him or hurt him............what to do? I need to win the lottery to afford a new ride............. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
  
| Did you have an ECG done. If not this is where I would start with to see if there is any damage to the heart, then base my decision on that. |
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 Saint Stacey
| It really depends on the type of murmur it is. Sidekick had one. His was the type much like what human athletes get where the heart gives and extra little mini pump after the big pump when it beats. That type isn't a problem. Basically though when a horse hits 20-23, the end is coming closer. Anything over 23 is a blessing. I personally would retire a horse in its 20's just because it's the way I am. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | I bought a 5 year old with a heart murmur. Never had affected him when I bought him, but the vet found it in the pre-purchas exam. We excercised him and then re-listened to his heart and the murmur didn't worsen any so he said it shouldn't be an issue. I sold the horse a few years later in the mid-5 digit range with no questions asked. I think it really depends on the extensiveness of the murmur. Did the murmur cause him to not feel good or was it unrelated and the vet just happened to find the murmur too? Did the vet have you trot him around and elevate the heart rate and then listen to it again to see if it got worse or stayed the same? That is where I would start... I do not believe murmurs are crazy uncommon - it just depends on if they are constant or get worse when the heart has to work harder. Good luck! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 561
Location: somewhere in the south | The vet only found it because he was very dehydrated! I couldn't exercise him to check any further as he wouldn't move hardly, he felt really bad...........he's all better now and running around so I'm just going to see how he feels, but it's almost undetectable now...............just gonna pray he's good until I find another!! |
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 Heeler Hoarder
Posts: 2067
| I would probably speak with your vet about it. 20 is getting up there and I would probably retire him. |
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