Creaking sound in joints of young horses.

Question
Hi, I buy and sell green show prospects. However, my sister found a 3 yr. old appendix 16.2 hands that sometimes make that "creaking noise" in his joints when he walks. Should she run from this prospect or is it normal? He is sound and has'nt raced. Thank you,

Answer
Melissa,

He's  just 3 and a good sized horse so I would suspect that it's just loose ligaments in his joints.  He's really too young to ride very much.  I won't start a horse under saddle until they are at least 3 and a half, better yet 4.  They still have a great deal of maturing to do and you can do damage to their joints by pushing them too much too young.  The damage will show up later in life as arthritis issues.  If she wants to take him and just turn him out for a while to let him grow and mature some more he should be fine but I don't know whether she has patience and time to do that.  

Lyn