Pre-purchase Vet check - what to include

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Hi all, when purchasing a horse, what do you normally want to have included in the vet check?

Your advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks
 
Discuss it with the vet you are instructing - if it is a riding horse you normally need the 5 stage package, if it is unbroken or can't be ridden for some reason a lesser one to include eyes, heart, limbs etc,, but can't do wind normally because they need to be galloped for that.
 
JillA said:
Discuss it with the vet you are instructing - if it is a riding horse you normally need the 5 stage package, if it is unbroken or can't be ridden for some reason a lesser one to include eyes, heart, limbs etc,, but can't do wind normally because they need to be galloped for that.
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Hi JillA many thanks for your reply. It is a riding horse, when you refer to a 5-stage what do you mean? Besides a clinical examination (at rest, during exercise, after exercise) and a set of x-rays and some other specific issues I would like him to examine, would you include endoscopy and ultrasound?
 
A five stage vetting with bloods if possible. This is assuming the horse is in work and can be ridden. The vet will ask you what you want to do with the horse and will vet accordingly. I have learnt that if you say you want to do affiliated stuff ie BE and BSJA rather than just riding club they will be a bit stiffer as to what they pass as the horse fit for. So what I'm trying to say is don't under estimate what you will use the horse for as the vet will vet according to what you want to do. I would try to be there on the day to witness the vetting and you can discuss any issues on the spot. If buying from a dealer I would usually try to organise my own vet rather than one they recommend.
 
SussexbytheChristmasTree said:
A 5-stage vetting has standard things that it covers. X-rays are extra and not included in a 5-stage. Always use a vet not connected with the seller. You may also need to think what an insurance company may require to insure your horse and what cover you would want e.g. loss of use requires a 5-stage normally.

http://www.rvc.ac.uk/rvc-equine/practice/veterinary-services/pre-purchase-examination
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There is nothing wrong with using the same vet as you are more likely to find issues as they have to disclose the horses previous history with them. I always do and it makes me suspicious if they wont do it IMO

X rays are only as good as the vet interpreting them(and is subjective) so IMO a waste of money for a riding horse they quickly turn a £300 vetting into £600
 
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popsdosh said:
There is nothing wrong with using the same vet as you are more likely to find issues as they have to disclose the horses previous history with them.
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they do not HAVE to, a vetting is the condition of the horse on the day nothing to do with the past-history will/can only be disclosed if owner states it is ok to. I agree it is suspicious if it is not disclosed but they do not have to
 
I would 100% use a vet that you trust. I have had a vet in the past that was recommended by the seller and told there was no connection (I later found out there was) and the horse subsequently passed a 5 stage vetting for use as an eventer and hunter. Said horse later had to be returned due to multiple issues which were not raised on the vetting certificate. The horse actually got taken into my own vets for investigations and they said no way should the horse have passed.

I would always have a horse 5 stage vetted and would be present during this - any issues which are raised can then be discussed with the vet as to whether to investigate further. I would also have it written into the purchase receipt (ALWAYS get a receipt) that if the horse proves unfit for purpose within a month of purchase then he will be returned with a full refund. I have learnt this the hard way! A genuine seller should not have a problem with this.
 
Thanks a lot everyone, besides the blood tests, 5-stage check and some x-rays on some specific areas, would you include endoscopy or ultrasound? Unfortunately I will not be able to be there as the horse is is another country (already saw and rode the horse myself), but I am sending an unrelated to the owner, FEI vet...
 
popsdosh said:
There is nothing wrong with using the same vet as you are more likely to find issues as they have to disclose the horses previous history with them. I always do and it makes me suspicious if they wont do it IMO

X rays are only as good as the vet interpreting them(and is subjective) so IMO a waste of money for a riding horse they quickly turn a £300 vetting into £600
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They can but who is the vet truly representing when both of you are clients? You can ask for all records in any case.

I had a very well-known vet do a 5-stage on a horse I bought years ago. At the time I was unaware that I could ask for all previous records. It passed but was diagnosed with wobblers 6 months later. Looking back it had symptoms from when I bought it - the horse rested its back a lot - I said this to the vet at the vetting, It had muscle atrophy on one side of its back as saddle slipped over, I thought it was the saddle but no it was the horse. Again vet did not pick this up. It dragged its feet going down a steep hill - not picked up at the vetting.

When I took it in for a lameness work-up at the same practice the nurse said to me "isn't that the one that got hit by a car?" a few furtive looks were then exchanged as she realised I hadn't known about that. The vet who vetted this horse knew all of this and never said a word. I think she thought she knew the horse and the owner, had previously treated it for it's injuries, made assumptions and did not do a thorough enough job.

I firmly believe that the vet would have been more probing had they been representing me only.
 
twiggy2 said:
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they do not HAVE to, a vetting is the condition of the horse on the day nothing to do with the past-history will/can only be disclosed if owner states it is ok to. I agree it is suspicious if it is not disclosed but they do not have to
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They do if they conduct the vetting but they may not agree to do the vetting in the first place.
 
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