Should I Buy a Horse With a Suspensory? Tips & Advice

The short answer: it depends. While some horses recover fully and return to work, others face lifelong limitations. Suspensory injuries range from mild strains to career-ending tears, so the decision hinges on factors like severity, vet recommendations, your budget, and intended use. A young horse with a mild strain might bounce back with proper rehab, while an older performance horse with chronic damage could require ongoing care.

Yet… let’s be honest. Emotions often cloud judgment. That chestnut gelding with the kind eye might feel like "the one," but veterinary insight should trump sentiment. Always get a pre-purchase exam with imaging (ultrasound or MRI) to assess the injury’s scope. Ask: How recent is it? Has it healed cleanly? Will the horse hold up to your riding goals? Financially, factor in rehab costs, potential relapses, and insurance limitations—many providers exclude pre-existing conditions.

If you’re seeking a light trail partner or a companion, a managed suspensory issue may not be a dealbreaker. But for competitive disciplines? Proceed with extreme caution. The heart wants what it wants, but the wallet (and vet bills) often have the final say.

Understanding the Suspensory Ligament: Why It Matters

Imagine a dynamic support system that absorbs shock, stabilizes the leg, and propels movement—that’s the suspensory ligament. Located between the cannon bone and tendons, it’s vital for athletic function. Injuries here are alarmingly common, especially in sport horses, and healing can be finicky due to limited blood supply.

Types of Suspensory Injuries

• Strains (mild to moderate): Microscopic tears, often heal with rest.
• Desmitis (ligament inflammation): Acute or chronic, requiring targeted therapy.
• Proximal suspensory tears (near the knee/hock): High recurrence risk.
• Avulsion fractures (ligament pulls bone fragment): Severe, needing surgical intervention.

A horse shuffling awkwardly or refusing jumps might hide deeper issues. Listen to the subtle clues—heat, swelling, or asymmetric muscling—before committing.

Key Questions to Ask Before Buying

Before signing a check, dig deeper than the seller’s reassurances. Here’s your checklist:

• Vet records: How was the injury diagnosed? What treatments were tried?
• Rehab progress: Has the horse had consistent turnout or been stall-bound?
• Riding soundness: Can the horse trot circles on hard ground without flinching?
• Future risks: Are there compensatory issues (e.g., strained tendons in the opposite leg)?

Financial and Emotional Considerations

A $5,000 horse with a $10,000 rehab bill isn’t a bargain. Calculate:

• Cold laser/PRP therapy sessions ($150–$500 each)
• Extended layup boarding costs
• Potential loss of use if the horse can’t perform

And then there’s the emotional toll. Watching a horse you adore struggle with reinjury is heart-wrenching. One rider confessed, “I spent two years nursing my mare’s suspensory only to retire her. I don’t regret it—but I wish I’d known.”

Alternatives to Consider

If the risks outweigh the rewards, explore:

• Lease-to-buy agreements: Test the horse’s soundness over months.
• Older, proven schoolmasters: Lower-mileage limbs may trump young potential.
• Breeding prospects: A pasture-sound mare could contribute genetically.

When It Might Be Worth the Risk

There are exceptions. A kid’s pony with a healed suspensory injury, now sound for light work, could be a gem. Or that off-track Thoroughblood whose ligament strain was caught early and treated aggressively. One endurance rider swears by her “patched-up” Arab: “His suspensory taught me patience—and now we clock 50-mile rides.”

At the end of the day, buying a horse with a suspensory injury isn’t a yes-or-no question—it’s a story of potential and patience. Some of the greatest equine partnerships arise from second chances, but only when grounded in realism. Listen to your vet, trust the data, and let honesty guide your heart. Whether you walk away or take the plunge, remember: every horse deserves a rider who sees not just the flaw, but the future.