Pre-Purchase Exam

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Buying a horse can be a big investment in time, money, and emotion. Unfortunately, most horses do not come with a money-back guarantee. When thinking about buying, we feel it is very important to investigate your new horse’s overall health and condition through an equine pre-purchase exam conducted by an equine veterinarian. Whether you want a horse as a family pet, a pleasure mount, a breeding animal, or a high-performance athlete, you stand the best chance of getting one that meets your needs by investing in a purchase examination.

Pre-purchase exams may vary, depending on the intended use of the horse and the veterinarian who is doing the examination. Deciding exactly what should be included in the purchase examination requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. The following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will help ensure a custom-tailored exam:

• Choose an equine veterinarian who is familiar with the breed, sport, or use for which the horse is being purchased.

• Explain to your veterinarian your expectations and primary uses for the horse, including short- and long-term goals (e.g., showing, then breeding).

• Ask your veterinarian to outline the procedures that he or she feels should be included in the exam and why.

• Establish the costs for these procedures.

• Be present during the purchase examination.  The seller or agent should also be present.

• Discuss with your veterinarian his or her findings.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request further information about your veterinarian’s findings.

The equine veterinarian's job is neither to pass nor fail an animal. Rather, it is to provide you with information regarding any existing medical problems and to discuss those problems with you so that you can make an informed purchase decision. Your veterinarian can advise you about the horse’s current physical condition, but he or she cannot predict the future. The decision to buy is yours alone to make. But your equine veterinarian can be a valuable partner in the process of providing you with objective, health-related information.

To learn more, or to schedule an equine pre-purchase exam, please call us at (401) 766-6578.