A vet check, or pre-purchase exam, is an evaluation conducted by a veterinarian to determine the health status of the animal at the time of the examination. That’s a mouthful, right?
Normally I try to avoid absolutes at Riding Instructor University, but let’s be honest. If you don’t insist upon a vet check when purchasing lesson horses, you deserve whatever calamity might befall you. This simple step is essential if you want to walk away with a reasonably healthy asset.
Unlike the other articles in this series, I thought it might be easiest and most effective to structure this piece in a Q&A format. If I don’t address one of your questions, feel free to leave it in the comments section below and I’ll answer it (or find the answer you seek).
Who pays for a pre-purchase exam?
You do. When buying lesson horses, you are responsible for 1) Requesting the vet check; and 2) Paying for it. It doesn’t seem fair, but them’s the brakes.
Pre-purchase exams are not required for the sale of a horse. If you want to pick up a new lesson horse without the advice of a qualified veterinarian no one will stop you. This is why payment is the buyer’s responsibility, but it’s money well spent.
Who should perform a vet check?
My advice is to request a pre-purchase exam from your veterinarian. He or she is a professional you trust, and there won’t be any questions of conflict of interest.
In other words, if you use the seller’s veterinarian, how do you know that you haven’t received the result the seller wanted? While most horse dealers are ethical human beings, no one wants to take a chance on landing a bad apple.
Does an equine vet check come with a guarantee?
One thing you need to understand about the pre-purchase exam is that it isn’t an insurance policy. If a lesson horse passes the vet check and turns up lame three months later, you can’t go back to the seller and demand a refund. It doesn’t work that way.
There is no guarantee when buying lesson horses—or any other horse for that matter—so please remember that any purchase is a gamble. All the vet check does is offer a comprehensive snapshot of the horse’s health right this second.
What tests are performed by the veterinarian?
All equine pre-purchase exams are different, as the precise tests are determined individually by veterinarians. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) sets forth guidelines, but they are not hard-and-fast rules.
A vet check may consist of the following:
- Physical description: The veterinarian will describe the horse fully during a vet check. This might involve charting color, markings and other details on a diagram (like what you see on a Coggins test) or it might be documented in paragraph form.
- Vital signs: Next, the vet will take the horse’s vital signs, including heart rate and respiration. He or she will also examine the horse’s eyes and teeth, looking for physical abnormalities or congenital defects.
- Urine sample: The horse’s urine is then tested for the presence of drugs (such as tranquilizers) and for any diseases or abnormal hormone levels.
- Body condition: Is the horse under- or overweight? Are there any visible issues with the skin or coat? A veterinarian will usually rate a horse’s body condition on a scale of 1 to 10, with ratings of 4 to 7 being acceptable.
- Soundness: This part of the equine vet check may not be called a “soundness” exam because veterinarians want to protect themselves from liability. However, the purpose of the exam is to determine whether there are any serious medical or physical defects. Flexion tests are usually administered and the horse is observed moving on a variety of surfaces, both in a straight line and on a circle. The veterinarian will sometimes (not often) ride the horse.
- Hoof examination: Farriers are sometimes asked to consult on pre-purchase exams, though veterinarians are perfectly qualified to administer this part of the vet check on their own. The horse’s hooves are checked for flaws, blemishes, infections and other abnormalities. In some cases, the shoes are pulled to permit a more thorough examination.
- Neurological examination: The horse is then subjected to a neurological exam, which might help reveal signs of EPM and other neurological diseases. If your veterinarian does not always include this segment, request it. Seriously.
- Radiology: Finally, X-rays and ultrasonic images are taken to reveal any abnormalities that are not apparent through a physical examination. In most cases, this is limited to the limbs and sometimes the spine.
Your vet check might look different from the one described above, but the same basic aspects of equine health are almost always evaluated. Again, however, no guarantees are made about the future soundness of the horse.
What does pass or fail mean in a pre-purchase exam?
Rarely will a veterinarian tell you that a lesson horse has “failed” a pre-purchase exam. Instead, he will give you his opinion about the health status of the horse, and will let you make the decision about buying or not buying.
In other words, you pass or fail the horse based on the veterinarian’s findings.
What should I ask the veterinarian?
Most veterinarians are very thorough in their reports after a pre-purchase exam, but it never hurts to come armed with questions. In most cases, you will ask about how particular findings will affect the use of the horse down the line.
In the case of lesson horses, you might ask whether the weight the horse carries will be a problem, whether there are any special equipment requirements to keep the horse healthy, and how the horse’s age affects his suitability.
Will I be present during a vet check?
I sure hope so. It is your job to make sure the veterinarian completes all necessary tests and answers any questions you might have. If it is impossible for you to be present during a vet check, ask a friend, relative or colleague to attend in your absence.
What are exceptions in a vet check?
Some sellers will disclose certain health information about a lesson horse before a pre-purchase exam takes place. For example, a seller might tell you that the horse registered navicular changes during a previous veterinary exam.
If you insist upon a vet check after you’ve decided to buy the lesson horse (and you should insist!), you will probably have to sign a waiver that indicates you have been informed of the exception and that you agree to buy the horse in spite of it. In other words, you already know the vet check will reveal this abnormality or defect, and you agree that it will have no bearing on the purchase.
If disclosures are made, make sure the seller discloses the degree of the health defect, and indicate in your agreement that if the veterinarian finds problems of a greater degree then the waiver is void.
Do I buy the lesson horse first?
In some cases, an equine vet check occurs after the horse has already been purchased or, at least, after an offer has been made. In these situations, the sale is contingent upon the results of the veterinary exam; if the buyer decides that the horse did not pass the vet check, he can return the horse for a full refund.
As a final note, make sure that you make clear in writing your intentions when buying lesson horses. Never sign a bill of sale and hand over a check unless you’ve added to the agreement a request for an equine vet check. Otherwise, you might lose your money and wind up with a useless lesson horse.
More in the Lesson Horse Evaluation Series:
- Introduction
- Behavioral Suitability
- Physical Ability
- Student Compatibility
- Equine History
- Disposition
- Price
You might also like:
- Lesson Horse Evaluation:
Physical Ability - Lesson Horse Evaluation:
Equine History - Lesson Horse Evaluation:
Disposition - Lesson Horse Wellness Check-Ups
- Lesson Horse Evaluation:
Price
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
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