Pre-Purchase
Examinations
We offer pre-purchase examinations (“vettings”) on behalf of the prospective purchaser as well as examinations prior to sale at an auction.
The purpose of the vetting is to thoroughly examine the horse to provide a veterinary assessment of the animal’s suitability for the intended purpose on the day of the examination.
5 stage vetting consists of:
- Stage 1: Preliminary examination at rest
- Stage 2: Walk and trot; in hand and flexion tests, trotting in a circle
- Stage 3: Exercise phase (lunging or under saddle)
- Stage 4: Period of rest and re-examination
- Stage 5: Second trot up
In some instances the purchaser may opt to do a limited 2 stage examination. This is usually reserved for young animals not yet in work and is not considered to be as complete as a 5 stage vetting.
The facilities required for a 5 stage vetting are:
- A dark stable to assess the eyes
- A hard and level surface for a trot up in hand and in a small circle
- A suitable arena to lunge or ride the horse.
We recommend that the horse being vetted does not see a farrier for a period of 10-14 days prior to the vetting being complete as this may affect results on the day.
We recommend VDS blood sampling when horses pass. The samples are stored for 6 months and can be tested in case of any problems arising after the purchase. Additional tests can be carried out on the purchaser’s request to include x-rays and upper airway endoscopy.
We perform radiology screening for animals prior to sales at auctions. In addition to this service we also offer OCD screening using ultrasonography. This technique is much more sensitive than radiology and can give a better insight into joint cartilage quality and a better assessment of prognosis for some developmental lesions. We often use this technique to guide clients as part of the pre purchase examination.
The pre-purchase examination provides an assessment of the horse at the time of examination to help inform the potential purchaser‘s decision whether or not to continue with their purchase. It is not a guarantee of a horse’s suitability for the intended purpose.
For further information on pre-purchase examinations, please download and read our guidance notes here on the examination of a horse.
