Purchasing a horse is a huge investment. It’s important to understand if the horse you are interested in can complete the tasks you require of them. Prepurchase exams can help shed light on potential lameness, medical issues, or future concerns that may arise with the individual horse. Pre purchase exams are not pass or fail; they are simply an information collecting process to allow you to decide on what is best for you.

Before starting a prepurchase exam you should meet the horse and understand their temperament, training level, and personality. You should have a general idea of what you want the horse to be used for, what level of performance you expect, any issues you can manage, budget for the prepurchase exam, and additional diagnostic you may request.

When you have the above topics sorted, it’s time to choose a veterinarian to perform the exam. It’s best practice to use a vet that does not perform routine care for the seller to prevent bias. You may consider using a vet you trust, if they are too far away to travel to the seller, research veterinarians in the area that provide the service. Ideally, they should have access to digital radiograph machine, experience in the discipline you intend to use the horse for, and within your budget for the PPE. (Pictured above: the experience helping ensure the next generation of veterinarians can develop the needed skills for lameness and prepurchase cases ;).

Generally, a PPE consists of a medical and performance history, physical examination, movement examination, flexion tests, diagnostic imaging, blood tests, and/or evaluation of the horse while performing the intended work.  We also utililize the power of AI to detect subtle asymmetries not noted by the human eye and provide a objective second opinion on lameness conditions.

The medical and performance history is typically sent to the sellers beforehand to get a comprehensive idea of any major medical issues or surgeries that have been performed, any lameness concerns in the past or present, current medications or supplements, or current feeding program.

The vet will begin the prepurchase exam with a thorough physical exam. This includes recording any conformational faults, current body condition, vitals, oral exam, palpation of major muscle groups, presence or absence of reproductive organs, basic neurologic exam.

Movement evaluation and flexion tests run much like a basic lameness exam. The vet will observe the horse at different gaits, straight and on a lunge line. This will most likely be followed by a series of flexion tests to stress joints to bring out any subtle lameness.

Optionally, the vet will take radiographs. Radiographs allow the vet to see any bony changes such as arthritis, navicular disease, or laminitis. Generally, we recommend images of the front feet, hocks and stifles. Radiographs are always an additional fee and therefore optional for the owner depending on their goals and financial constraints.

Additional services such as blood tests, drug screenings ultrasound imaging, endoscopy, or a ridden examination are available with consent from the seller and depending on the buyer’s goals. These additional services should be discussed with the vet prior to the exam to ensure the correct equipment is brought.

Purchasing a horse is a huge investment, the vet is there to collect information and disclose results to the buyer that will help the buyer decide. No horse is perfect but going into the sale with an informed decision will allow all the parties to be satisfied.