Pre-purchase Equine Veterinarian Exams

Whenever you’re looking to buy a horse there is one simple fairly inexpensive thing to make sure you do that is highly recommended. A pre-purchase exam could save you many a heart ache down the road. Obviously, when buying at an auction a pre-purchase exam is not something that one can always have done before the bidding starts. In that instance you’re only able to normally do a quick once over of the horse you like. In other types of sale though, the best horse gifts for a potential owner is a pre-purchase exam.

Even if you’re in a different state than a horse that you’re interested in buying is in, you can still find a qualified Vet to do the exam. It’s easy to find a veterinarian in almost any area, a simple internet search is a great way to go. Just type in a phrase, like farrier wa, and browse through the results. Or ask the owner to recommend a vet, preferably one that they do not use on a regular basis. Then just call the vets office up and explain that it’s for a possible purchase and make the appointment. Most Vets offer a flat fee for the exam and include a thorough once over of the horse.

Pre-purchase exams include having the horse being ridden while the vet observes or just having the horse trotted out in hand to check for soundness issues. The exam can also find any scarring, scar tissues, or swelling that may affect the health or ridability of the horse. Radiographs or ultra sounds are usually extra but can come in handy for finding those hidden issues. If you’re buying a stallion the vet can check for fertility at that time, you can even pay to have the horse collected to determine his training in that aspect and also to check for fertility and testing for any STD’s. With a broodmare it is a good idea to have a breeding exam done to check with any issues for getting her in foal. Whatever you’re intended plans for the horse are, a pre-purchase vet exam is a must do.