Pre-Purchase Examinations

The purpose of the examination is not to pass or fail a horse, but to alert the buyer to any pre-existing conditions determined during the examination.  This information ensures that an informed decision can be made.

Veterinarians work to a set protocol in performing these examinations.  There are 5 stages to complete, each stage follows on from the one before it.

Stage 1 : The Preliminary Examination. This involves a full clinical evaluation while the horse is standing at rest. All body systems, including the heart, lungs, eyes and teeth are examined. Conformation, foot shape and shoeing details are also noted. During this stage, the back should be examined for flexibility.  Any scars and lumps and bumps are noted.

Stage 2 : Examination During Walking, Trotting, Turning and Backing.

During this stage of the examination, the horse’s gait is assessed while being lead ‘in-hand’ at a walk and a trot. A straight, even surface is essential, preferably in a quiet area so the horse’s attention is not distracted.  In some cases the horse is asked to trot in a circle on the lunge line.  Any lameness or unevenness is noted. Turning and backing the horse up is designed to assess coordination of movement. Flexion tests should be carried out in this part of the examination. These involve loading individual joints in full flexion for 60 seconds and then immediately trotting the horse away. Attention is paid to any lameness that was not noticeable initially. The fetlocks, front feet and hock joints should be examined in this way.

Stage 3: Examination During and Immediately After Strenuous Exercise.

The aim of this stage of the examination is to assess the horse’s gait at speed and its cardiovascular response to strenuous exercise. The type of exercise will depend on the intended use the horse is being purchased for but generally the level of intensity should have the horse sweating and its heart rate up to 120 beats / minute.

Stage 4 : Examination During the Cool Down Period.

The aim of this stage of the examination is evaluate the speed of recovery. The level of fitness has to be taken into consideration when recovery is prolonged.

Stage 5 : Examination After the Cool Down Period.

During this stage the horse is walked, trotted, turned and backed to see if the preceding strenuous exercise has induced any lameness that was not noticeable during the preliminary stage of the examination.

Ancillary examinations

There are several ancillary examinations that maybe necessary, depending on the results of the initial 5 stage examination.

Radiographs are often taken routinely, usually of the navicular bones, fetlocks, knees and hocks. Care needs to be taken in interpreting radiographs as it is common to find changes that do not relate to a clinical problem. Radiographs should always be interpreted in conjunction with a clinical examination. In some cases the buyer may request that radiographs only be taken of a suspected clinical problem in order to keep the cost of the examination within their budget.

Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract may be required to check for lesions or laryngeal paralysis ( the cause of 'roaring')

Tendon ultrasound scans are a useful ancillary test to detect any small lesions in the superficial and deep flexor tendons that may not be apparent on the preliminary examination.

At the end of the examination, the buyer will receive the results in a 3 part document containing:

1: Buyers statement - download this file now (PDF 44kb).  This states the buyer's request for a pre-purchase examination, how many stages are requested, and the intended use for the horse in question.

2: Owners statement - download this file now (PDF 37kb).  This document requires the current owner of the horse to answer questions on the current well being of the horse, any vices and veterinary treatment the horse has received in the previous 12 months, and any medications the horse is on.

3: Veterinarians report

These three statements combine together to provide the buyer with a lawful, thorough document that can be used as part of the decision making process in purchasing the horse.  The results of the examination are the property of the buyer.  The owner may have access to the information with their consent.

It is important to realise that the results of a pre-purchase examination only apply to one point in time. Although it is important to identify potential problems, it does not give an assurance as to what may happen in the future.

Not all pre-purchase examinations require the full 5 stages. Each horse should be treated individually. A child’s pony and a 4 star eventer would not need to undergo the same level of examination. The veterinarian needs to know for what use the horse is being purchased. Any relevant details the buyer knows about the horse’s past performance should be made available.

It is important to have the owner present at the time of the examination. This allows the veterinarian to ask relevant questions on behalf of the buyer and in doing so, build up a detailed history on the horse.

The costs associated with a pre-purchase examination will obviously vary with the level of examination involved. A basic preliminary examination with a written report may cost around $250.00. A full 5 stage examination with radiographs and ultrasound may cost  $800.00 or more depending on the amount of x-rays. Each case will be different. Whichever way you look at it, it has to be money well spent especially when you consider the costs in relation to the purchase price, not to mention those involved when you have to start diagnosing and treating a problem once you are the horse’s new owner.

If there are any questions in regards to the pre-purchase examination please do not hesitate to contact us. To request a pre-purchase examination please contact the clinic or by telephone (03 5445566) and we can organise this for you.