The Pre-purchase Examination
Owning a horse can be a big investment in time, money and emotion. Unfortunately, horses seldom come with a money-back guarantee. That’s why it is so important to investigate the horse’s overall health and condition through a purchase exam. Whether you want a horse as a family pet, a pleasure mount, a breeding animal, or a high performance athlete, you stand the best chance of getting one that meets your needs by investing in a purchase exam.
The veterinarian’s job is not to pass or fail an animal. Rather, it is to provide you with information regarding any existing medical problems and to discuss those problems with you so that you can make an informed purchase decision. We can advise you about the horse’s current physical condition, but we cannot predict the future. The decision to buy is yours alone to make. But the veterinarian’s at RSLVS can be a valuable partner in the process, providing you with objective, health-related information.
The Examination
Medical History – Diet, work level, previous injuries.
Visual inspection – Looking at conformation, balance, signs of previous injury.
Physical Examination – Assessing the horses eyes, teeth, heart, lungs
Hands on Exam – Palpation of bones, tendons, joints and muscles for any evidence of heat, pain or swelling. Application of hoof testers for and abnormal sensitivity.
Horse in Motion – Horse is jogged, lunged or ridden to assess gait, look for any signs of lameness or exercise intolerance.
Flexion Tests – The veterinarian hold the horse’s limbs (one at a time) in a flexed position and then releases the leg. As the horse trots away, the veterinarian watches for
signs of pain, weight shifting or irregular movement. Flexing the joints in this manner may reveal problems that are not otherwise readily apparent.
Digital Radiographs - Radiographs are an important part of a pre-purchase examination They help to identify the early stages of bone disease, and are crucial if the horse is a re-sale potential as there maybe radiographic changes that would strongly deter a potential buyer. Digital radiography provides a much clearer x-ray for us to interpret and allows for fast referral to a specialist if needed.
Additional tests that are offered:
Limb ultrasound – for tendon lesions
Reproductive work-up – For potential brood mares
Endoscopy – a video camera used to check a horse’s upper and lower airways.
Blood work – including drug screens
Your Part in the Purchase Exam
Explain what your expectations and primary uses for the horse will be. Including short- and long-term goals (e.g., showing, then breeding). Ask for and outline of the procedures that we feel should be included in the exam and why. Establish the costs for these procedures. Be present during the purchase exam. The seller or agent should also be present. Discuss with your veterinarian his or her findings in private. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request further information about your veterinarian’s findings in private.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
