Pre-Purchase Examinations

Introduction

We strongly recommend that anyone thinking of purchasing a new horse considers having a pre-purchase examination, or ‘vetting’. The aim of a pre-purchase is to detect any abnormalities of a particular horse and to make a judgement as to whether those abnormalities will affect the desired use of that horse.

Our experienced vets perform the full range of pre-purchase examinations following the BEVA/RCVS guidelines. This offers important information on the suitability (or otherwise) of potential purchases. Insurance companies will often insist on a vetting before agreeing cover for veterinary fees.

We can perform pre-purchase examinations either at the vendors/purchasers premises or at Ashbrook Equine Hospital. The facilities required are a quiet, dark stable, a straight level hard trotting area, and an arena or field in which the horse can undergo ridden exercise. If the horse cannot be ridden then a firm lunging area will be required.

5 Stage Pre-Purchase Examination

This is the most thorough vetting available and the one we would generally recommend except for young unbroken animals. It consists of 5 separate stages;

1) Thorough examination of the horse at rest including auscultation of the heart and lungs, appraisal of conformation, inspection, palpation and manipulation of the limbs/joints and inspection of the skin, eyes and teeth including an estimate of the horse’s age.

2) Examination of the horse at walk and trot in hand including flexion tests.

3) Strenuous exercise, in most cases ridden. This allows further evaluation of the horses movement as well as the detection of abnormal respiratory sounds and auscultation of the heart immediately following exercise to detect abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias) and sounds(murmurs).

4) Rest period; to allow the heart rate to return to normal and any stiffness post exercise to develop.

5) Further examination of the horse at walk and trot in hand.