more strange problems

[rides2far@juno.com (Angela C. McGhee)]

As long as we're on the subject of strange problems...I've got one for
everybody.  

Recently got a new gelding.  Happen to be friends with a woman who has
some $$ to throw around and changes her mind a lot.  Last year she wanted
to be a great Arab breeder.  Now she has a new boyfriend and Quarter
Horses are the "Flavor of the day".  She called me up and wanted me to
buy a 5 yr. old Arab gelding.  She knew I'd re-sell him, she just wanted
me to find him the "right" home.  I have a bit of a reputation as a
matchmaker and money's not a big deal to her (owns a carpet mill) :-)

Went to get him and couldn't believe my luck.  He's a TRUE 15 hands
(metal tape & a level and I'll bet he's as tall as anything out there
people are calling 15.2!)  He's beautifully built but VERY strong
build...8 1/2" cannon bone!  Size 1 feet...round, strong.  Broad chest,
straight legs, a butt like a QH. Big dapple gray with dark points,
beautiful shoulder, level back, beautiful Arab face with a jaw like a
Quarter horse. He's a grandson of Huckelberry Bey on top and a grandson
of Aladdin on bottom.

Sooo, I figured he's crazy right?  Nope!  Incredibly broke.  Goes
beautifully under saddle.  Careful and surefooted on the most rugged
trails.  Excellent pasture manners...32 resting pulse.  Hops right in the
trailer.  Has already been on a picket line.  Sleeps while having shoes
put on!

The catch?  When he drinks, a little bit of water comes out each nostril.
 If he's eating grass, a little green stained saliva drains from each
nostril.  He apparently has a small opening from his mouth to his sinus
cavity.  

Talked to a vet friend to ask his advice.  He immediately wanted to know
what I'd take for him.  Thinks he could fix it and raise his value
considerably...but I'm not willing to go too low.  Doesn't seem to bother
him...he's a very easy keeper.  He said he does not think it's a cleft
pallet.  Probably just a small opening that might possibly be fixed
surgically. I really have trouble justifying scoping, etc. when the horse
gets along fine as he is...and I'm am a certified poverty case.  He would
pass any prepurchase exam around if he didn't eat or drink during it, but
I'm not one to pretend I didn't know something that I know.

I'd really love to see a heavyweight compete on this horse.  There are so
few Arabs with this much substance, but I don't want to push him on
anyone either.  I just don't know if this will be a big problem. 

If he's just been eating and you ride, he'll do a cough/snort that
doesn't sound like anything to do with lungs, it's him clearing his nose.
 

On the one hand, I'd like to sell him to the vet and see him "made
perfect".  He's got a long life ahead of him and is an awfully nice,
sweet horse.  On the other hand...darn it he's mine and nose or no nose,
he's a find and I don't want to give him away.  

Anybody got any suggestions or experience with this sort of thing?  Feel
free to e-mail me privately. 

Angie McGhee & Revenger

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