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Pre- purchase Examinations
Buying a horse can be a nerve-racking process. It can also be a big investment in time, money, and emotion. That’s why it is so important to investigate all aspects of the horse before you buy. Knowing the health and condition of a horse before completing a purchase is one of the most significant factors in deciding whether that animal is going to be a wise investment.
Purchase examinations may vary a bit depending on what the intended use of the horse (family pet, pleasure horse, broodmare, or high performance athlete).
The preferred examination is called the ‘Five Stage Veterinary Examination for Purchase’ and it is carried out following guidelines laid down by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in conjunction with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).
Stage one:
The veterinary surgeon will make a thorough clinical examination of the horse at rest in the stable. This will include an ophthalmic examination of the eyes, and auscultation of the heart and chest. The vet will also feel the limbs for any sign of injury or disease.
Stage two:
The horse is trotted up in hand on a hard level surface and has a foot examination. During this phase the vet looks for any signs of lameness and may perform 'flexion' tests on each limb and also circle the horse and examine the back.
Stage three:
Strenuous ridden exercise. The vet will listen carefully to the horse’s breathing during exercise and observe the gait. This phase is particularly important; at this time the heart and lungs are checked again to see if the exercise has had any adverse effect.
Stage four:
The horse is then rested and its recovery rate from exercise monitored. During this phase the vet will often take detailed notes of the horses' markings which will be used to make a certificate should the horse pass the examination. It is often common during the resting stage for a blood sample to be obtained. This sample is sent to the forensic laboratory at Newmarket and stored for six months; it can be tested at a later date for Phenylbutazone or other forms of anti-inflammatory/pain relieving agents, should such tests become necessary.
Stage five:
The final trot up. Again the examining vet will watch carefully for any sign of lameness or abnormality.
The examination is carried out by an experienced veterinary surgeon who will report on whether it is advisable to go ahead with the purchase. Having a horse examined, prior to purchase, is not cheap but it may well save you money in the long run. A shorter ‘Two Stage Examination’ can be performed which involves a detailed examination at rest and a trotting up and foot examination; however there is no exercise or post exercise evaluation. The ‘Two Stage Examination’ has limitations and is not as reliable a test of the suitability of a horse or pony for the use that you require.
If the horse passes the examination then a certificate will be completed by the veterinary surgeon, which may be used for insuring the horse or pony when the sale is completed.
We need you to explain your expectations and the primary use for the horse. We request that ideally you should be present for the examination so that you can ask questions and we can discuss any and all of the findings with you in private.
Our job is not to “pass” or “fail” the horse. Rather, it is provide you with information regarding any existing medical condition and to discuss those problems with you so that you can make an informed purchase decision. It can be compared to that of a house inspection prior to your purchase. No horse is perfect in every respect. Some medical conditions and faults are manageable or may never seriously affect the horse’s performance. Whether or not the problems are practical for your needs or budget is for you to decide.
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