The aim of the pre-purchase examination is to carry out a thorough clinical examination on behalf of a potential purchaser to identify and assess factors of a veterinary nature that could prejudice the horse’s suitability for its intended use.

It provides an assessment of the horse at the time of examination to help inform the potential purchaser‘s decision whether or not to continue with their purchase. It is not a guarantee of a horse’s suitability for the intended purpose. 

THE EXAMINATION 

The standard examination is conducted in five stages, although the exact sequence of the examination may vary. 

Stage 1: Preliminary examination 

This is a thorough external examination of the animal at rest using visual observation, palpation and manipulation to detect clinically apparent signs of injury, disease or physical abnormality. It includes an examination of the incisor teeth, a thorough examination of the horse’s eyes in a darkened area and auscultation of the horse’s heart and lungs at rest. The standard examination does not include examination of the inside of the prepuce (sheath), a detailed mouth examination with a speculum, a height measurement or any examination for pregnancy. 

Stage 2: Walk and trot, in hand 

The animal is walked and then trotted in hand to detect abnormalities of gait and action. Ideally this is carried out on firm, level ground. The horse is turned sharply each way and is backed for a few paces. Flexion tests of all four limbs and trotting in a circle on a firm surface may be carried out if the examining veterinary surgeon considers it safe and appropriate to do so. Flexion tests and trotting in a circle on a firm surface are not mandatory parts of the standard procedure, but they can sometimes provide useful additional information about a horse. There may be circumstances when it is unsafe or inappropriate to perform such tests. 

Stage 3: Exercise phase 

The horse is given sufficient exercise to: 1. Allow assessment of the horse when it has an increased breathing effort and an increased heart rate. 2. Allow assessment of the horse’s gait at walk, trot, canter and, if appropriate, gallop. 3. Allow assessment of the horse for the purpose of stage five. If ridden exercise is not undertaken then this stage may be conducted by exercising the horse on a lunge. 

Stage 4: Period of rest and re-examination 

The horse is allowed to stand quietly for a period. During this time the respiratory and cardiovascular systems may be monitored as they return to their resting levels. 

Stage 5: Second trot up 

The animal is trotted in hand again to look for any signs of strains or injuries made evident by the exercise and rest stages.  

Blood Sample: A blood sample may be taken for storage (usually for 6 months) for possible future analysis to detect substances present in the horse’s system at the time of the examination that might have masked any factors affecting the horse’s suitability for the purchaser’s intended use. Testing prior to purchase is possible, on request. 

Identification of the horse: The horse’s identity is checked against its passport and the presence of a microchip. A passport is not a mandatory requirement for the examination but it should be noted that under current regulations, a horse should not be sold without an accompanying passport. 

Variations from the standard examination 

Whilst there is a recognised format for the examination, it may vary where there are good practical or clinical reasons. In circumstances where it is not possible or appropriate to complete all the stages, or where the standard five-stage examination is limited to stages one and two at the specific request of the purchaser, the variations from the standard procedure will be made clear to the purchaser and on the certificate. The results of any additional procedures (e.g. detailed mouth examination, radiography or endoscopy) carried out at the request of the purchaser will also be reported and recorded on the certificate or in an addendum to it. The original records of these procedures (such as radiographs, ultrasonographs, photographs) are the property of the veterinary surgeon. It is usual, that where radiographs or other diagnostics are undertaken for the purposes of an insurance company or for another vet to give an opinion, then the veterinary surgeon undertaking the examination will not comment or provide a report on such images/ results but will check them for quality and then pass them onto the third party (such as insurance company) for their appraisal. 

COVID RESTRICTIONS

 Under the current climate, we would appreciate your help with social distancing. This may mean, due to the yard’s/ farm’s facilities or handlers or animal’s temperament (eg. Young stock) that the full usual 5 stage examination may not be able to be conducted fully. 

Please can the Vet have a suitable place to park – away from other cars and people, in order to allow adequate disinfecting and use of PPE. Please make sure that the horse is in a stable (again away from the passage of other people), with a head collar in place, so that the initial examination of eyes/ heart/ lungs can be carried out with only the examining vet present. 

A suitable yard (well lit area) will then need to be made available so that the horse can be tied up and handled with no assistance for the hands on examination phase. Again, this area will need to be free from passing people/ farriers etc.

 After this phase – walk/ trot/ lunge/ ridden – it is possible to examine the horse at a distance with another handler/ rider. In some cases, due to the animal’s temperament, it may not be possible to undertake full flexion tests whilst maintaining adequate social distancing. 

Thank you and the handlers and sellers for your understanding and help through these difficult times. 

LIMITATIONS OF THE EXAMINATION 

Incomplete examinations 

If any parts of the five stages are omitted for any reason, the opinion given is based purely upon those parts of the examination that were completed. The incomplete examination will not have identified any clinical signs of disease, injury or abnormality that could only have been revealed by a part of the standard procedure that was omitted. 

If the purchaser requests a limited (two-stage) examination, the examination will be limited in its scope and may not detect important clinical factors that could otherwise influence their decision to purchase the horse. 

Previous treatments

The horse may have received previous or concurrent veterinary treatment unknown to the examining veterinary surgeon. At the time of the examination the horse may have been subject to some previously administered drug or medicament having the effect of masking or concealing some disease, injury or physical abnormality that might otherwise have been clinically discoverable. A blood sample taken at the time of the examination may be used later to seek to determine this. 

Ownership 

The certificate serves to identify the horse that was examined, but it is not the responsibility of the examining veterinary surgeon to ascertain that the declared seller has legal title in the horse. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to satisfy themselves as to the ownership of the horse before purchase and to verify the records of any microchip with the relevant database. 

Age 

Without appropriate paper records from foalhood it is not possible to confirm the age of a horse with accuracy. Estimates of age based on a dental examination are imprecise and unreliable. In the absence of documentary evidence, the term ‘aged’ may be used to refer to a horse considered after examination to be over 15 years of age. 

Vices

Vices are objectionable habits, but are not necessarily detectable during the examination. 

Seller’s warranty 

The opinion provides no assurances in respect of matters that can only be established by a seller’s representations to the purchaser. A seller’s warranty is a matter between the seller and the purchaser and is not the responsibility of the examining veterinary surgeon. The purchaser should consider obtaining a written warranty from the seller covering, for example, matters such as medical or surgical history, height, freedom from vices, temperament, non- administration of drugs prior to the examination and the horse’s previous or existing uses and performance levels. 

Height

For the purposes of this examination, the height of a horse or pony is not the concern of the examining veterinary surgeon. 

Insurance 

Where possible and if required, the prospective purchaser is advised to confirm that they are able to obtain suitable insurance cover before purchasing the horse. NB. Pre-purchase examination certificates are suitable for submission to insurance companies with a proposal for insurance of the horse.