Pre-Purchase Examinations

Purchasing a horse should be an enjoyable and exciting time for an owner.

Our dedicated team of vets specialise in comprehensive vetting with a compassionate approach.

We follow a protocol set out by the veterinary governing body RCVS and the veterinary association BEVA for all vettings.

We advise that where possible, the purchaser is present at the time of the vetting so as to avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings.

If the purchaser is unable to attend, then he/she will be rung prior to the exam to discuss their specific requirements.

If you are unable to attend a two stage vetting we will require a form to be signed before the vetting takes place.

Two stages (1 to 2) or five stages (1 to 5) are routinely performed in the exam.

They are as follows:

Physical examination including assessing documentation, temperament, conformation, age, eyes, mouth, heart, lungs, skin, feet.
Lameness examination in hand- assessment at walk, trot, after flexion tests and turning in tight circles. In addition lunging/trotting in a circle on a hard surface is now advised to identify subtle problems.
Ridden examination assessment of being saddled and mounted, ridden at walk, trot and canter (and galloping if required), wind and abnormal respiratory sounds, heart & lungs immediately after strenuous exercise.
A period of rest until the heart and respiratory rate return to normal.
Final trot up in hand to assess if a lameness has developed during the exam.

We recommend to clients to choose the 5-stage vetting option and in addition, we offer various x-ray packages. We advise asking your insurance company which x-rays they require before we go out to take them. However, due to limitations of time or cost 2-stage vettings may be preferred. It is now normal practice that a blood sample is taken at the end of the examination and stored for 6 months. This is to identify pain killers or sedatives, should they be suspected at a later date.