The Prepurchase Examination of Horses

The  Pre-­‐purchase  Examination   If   you   are   considering   a   horse   for   purchase,   we   would   ALWAYS   recommend   that   you   have   a   5   stage   pre-­‐purchase   examination   ‘a   vetting’.   This   will   decrease   your   risk   chances  of  buying  someone  else’s  problems!     General  Information   The   5   stage   pre-­‐purchase   exam   follows   a   set   protocol.   There   are   5   stages   to   complete;   each   stage   follows   on   from   the   one   before.   The   vet   performing   the   examination   must   not   be   the   vet   that   provides   routine   care   for   the   horse   as   that   creates  a  conflict  of  interest.     The  horse  should  either  be  unshod  or  have  shoes  on  all  4  feet.  The  horse  must  be   stabled  for  several  hours  before  the  vetting  and  a  stable  or  dark  environment  must   be   available   for   the   eye   examination.   Following   the   examination,   the   vet   gives   an   opinion   on   whether   the   results   of   the   examination   are   likely   to   prevent   the   horse   being  used  for  the  purpose  required.  Therefore  the  horse  is  examined  in  context  of  a   particular  intended  use.  Something  that  might  render  a  horse  unsuitable  for  showing   might  be  perfectly  acceptable  in  a  general  riding  horse.  It  is  important  to  realise  that   the  results  of  a  pre-­‐purchase  examination  apply  only  to  one  point  in  time  –  when  the   horse   is   examined.   Although   it   is   important   to   identify   potential   problems,   it   does   not  give  any  assurance  as  to  what  may  happen  in  the  future.     The  5  Stages  of  the  Pre-­‐Purchase  Exam   Stage  1:  Preliminary  Examination  at  Rest   The   owner   of   the   horse,   if   present,   is   asked   to   complete   and   sign   a   seller’s   declaration  that  then  becomes  part  of  the  veterinary  certificate.  Questions  relate  to   the  horse’s  medical  history,  temperament,  whether  the  horse  is  currently  receiving   medication   and   knowledge   of   any   vices.   A   full   clinical   evaluation   of   the   horse   is   performed   at   rest.   All   body   systems,   including   the   eyes   and   teeth   are   examined.   Conformation,   foot   shape   and   shoeing   details   are   also   noted.  The   feet   will   be   tested   for  soreness  using  hoof  testers.   Stage  2:  Examination  at  Walk  and  Trot   The   horse’s   gait   is   assessed   while   being   lead   ‘in-­‐hand’   at   the   walk   and   trot.   A   straight,  even  surface  is  essential.  Any  lameness  or  unevenness  is  noted.  If  the  horse   is   lame,   the   pre-­‐purchase   is   usually   stopped   at   this   point.   Turning   and   backing   the   horse   up   allows   assessment   of   coordination   of   movement.   Flexion   tests   are   performed   to   increase   loading   of   individual   joints.   The   joint(s)   are   held  in   full   flexion   for  30-­‐60  seconds  and  then  the  horse  is  immediately  trotted  away.     Stage  3:  Examination  During  and  Immediately  After  Strenuous  Exercise   The   aim   of   this   stage   of   the   examination   is   to   assess   the   horse’s   gait   at   speed,   to   aid   detection   of   upper   airway   obstructions   such   as   ‘roaring’   and   to   assess   the   horse’s   cardiovascular  response  to  strenuous  exercise.  The  type  of  exercise  will  depend  on   the  intended  use  the  horse  is  being  purchased  for  but  generally  the  level  of  intensity   should  have  the  horse  sweating  and  its  heart  rate  up  to  120  beats  /  minute.   Stage  4:  Examination  During  the  Cool  Down  Period   The   aim   of   this   stage   of   the   examination   is   evaluate   the   speed   of   recovery.   The   level   of   fitness   is   taken   into   consideration   when   recovery   is   prolonged.   The   horse   is   usually  given   20-­‐30   minutes   to   recover   and   cool   down.   During   this   time,   the   eye  and   dental  examination  from  Stage  1  are  often  performed  and  the  horse’s  I.D.  sketched.   Stage  5:  Second  Walk  and  Trot  Up   The  horse  is  walked  and  trotted  to  see  if  the  preceding  period  of  exercise  followed   by   rest   has   induced   any   lameness   that   was   not   noticeable   during   the   preliminary   stage  of  the  examination.  Flexion  tests  are  also  usually  repeated.     Ancillary  Tests   Blood  Samples   The   DVEP   routinely   collects   blood   from   horses   at   pre-­‐purchase   examination   unless   specifically  asked  not  to.  This  blood  sample  is  then  sent  to  a  central  laboratory  where   it   is   held   for   a   period   of   6   months.   If   any   lameness   or   behavioural   issues   arise   in   these  6  months  the  purchase  can  ask  to  have  the  blood  tested  for  substances  such  as   pain  killers  and  sedatives.     Radiographs     X-­‐rays   may   be   recommended   for   vettings   of   high   level   performance   horses.   These   usually  include  x-­‐rays  of  the  feet,  fetlocks,  knees  and  hocks.  Care  needs  to  be  taken   in  interpreting  radiographs  as  it  is  common  to  find  changes  that  do  not  relate  to  a   clinical   problem.   Therefore   any   changes   should   always   be   interpreted   in   conjunction   with  the  clinical  examination.   Endoscopy   If  a  noise  is  heard  at  exercise,  further  evaluation  of  the  upper  airway  by  endoscopy   may  be  recommended.