Our Services
Pre-Purchase Examinations
Pre-purchase examinations are where the veterinarian works on behalf of the buyer and therefore reports to the purchaser on any findings or abnormalities detected on the health and soundness of a horse that you are looking to buy. They should only be performed by a registered veterinarian, and are best done by an experienced equine clinician who is not the routine veterinarian for that horse.
General Clinical Examination
Includes the following checks on your horse:
- Identification
- Eyes
- Teeth
- Heart
- Lungs
- Skin
- Joints
- Tendons
- Feet
Lameness Examination
Following the general clinical examination, our veterinarian will perform a lameness examination by watching the horse walk, trot and canter, and perform flexion tests. For a complete Five-Stage Pre-Purchase Examination, the horse will also be observed while ridden under saddle and re-examined after exercise.
Additional Services
If you are paying a lot of money for the horse or there are some obvious abnormalities on the examination, our veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic tests. Additional tests include x-rays, ultrasound or endoscopy to make sure there are no underlying problems.
Why are Pre-Purchase Exams important?
A pre-purchase exam performed by a qualified veterinarian will give you the confidence to go ahead with your purchase knowing all the necessary checks have been completed.
While a pre-purchase examination is not a definite guarantee against problems in the future, it does help to prevent the risk of buying a horse with health or lameness issues that are present at the time of purchase, and should therefore be seen as an investment.
Disclaimer: It should be noted that pre-purchase examinations do not determine rider suitability and this is the responsibility of you the buyer to determine by riding the horse and getting advice from experienced people from within your riding discipline.