Pre-purchase vetting?

milesjess

milesjess

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I'm just about to buy a mare who passed a 5 stage vetting a couple of years ago. Since then she has foaled and has had some time off.

I know prices for vetting will vary, but what's a rough price I will be looking at paying? And whats included?

Also, would you recommend a full 5 stage vetting or is 2 stage vetting just as good?

Thoughts please? This will be my first horse I've bought and don't want to walk into any problems!
 
If you're going to have a vetting then have a 5 stage as a 2 stage pretty well only checks heart, eyes and makes sure the horse has 4 legs! With a 5stage you vet will make sure that the horse is sound on all 4 legs by flexion testing and trotting on a hard surface and lungeing too. Also, heart rate after exercise, checks vision, any visible problems and of course will advise you whether the horse will be suitable for what you want to do. Many insurance companies now ask for a copy of the vetting (although it's not a requirement for all). I would say that as this is your first horse I would guess that you are relatively inexperienced and therefore if you can establish a good relationship with the vet then they will give you invaluable advice going forward.
 
I paid £290 for 5 stage that included travel costs. Get a vet near the horse but obviously not the people who currently own the horse's vet. I viewed a pony 60 odd miles away and there was no way I was paying for my vet to travel 130 miles round trip!
 
milesjess said:
Do you know if they charge travel costs? I assume you just ring up and book a day and time? Thanks.
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No - they don't charge travel costs usually. If you are buying the horse a distance away from you - I would suggest that you find an independent local vet if it is too far for yours to go. And yes - you just phone and book time and date.
 
milesjess said:
Do you know if they charge travel costs? I assume you just ring up and book a day and time? Thanks.
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You ring the vets up they will want all your details the horses name etc and the owners info. They will then ring the owner to find a time to suit them and get the rest of the info they need for the vetting. You would then normally pre-pay the vets for the vetting if your not using your normal vet. The price you pay includes the call out fee.
 
abigail621 said:
The price you pay includes the call out fee.
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Not always. In both practices I have worked in there is a standard fee for a 5 stage vetting and one for a 2 stage vetting, which is basically paying for the vet's time, expertise and professional opinion. On top of that is a visit fee, which obviously varies depending on how far away your prospective horse is.

Most vets are happy to travel to vet a horse (my last boss used to travel from Somerset to Cornwall, Surrey etc) but obviously the call out gets expensive so you may be better choosing a vet nearer to the horse. Some vets will not vet a horse for you if they are also the vet for the vendor, although it is legal to do so (just a conflict of interest, really).
 
My prospective new horse is being vetted Friday by my usual vet. It's £249 + 45p/mile for every extra mile over their standard 20 miles radius (the horse is local, but not that local)

Nowadays most vets aren't happy to do a 2 stage vetting on broken horses... (obv youngtsock you have no other choice) When I enquired about having one done on a horse just been broken and no facilities a few years ago they tried to talk me out of it and I had to sign form to say I realised it wouldn't tell the the horse was 100% fit and healthy at the time of a vetting as a 5 stage would.
 
Just to add the most recent advice to vets regarding the conflict of interest tht occurs when a prospective buyer uses the vendors vet is that the vendor must release the horse's veterinary history to the purchser. If they refuse, then the vet should not carry out the vetting. Therefore I think it is best (in the case of an older horse in the same home for a reasonable length of time) to use the vendors vet. If the vendor refuses to open the hisory then you know to steer well clear.
 
glenruby said:
Just to add the most recent advice to vets regarding the conflict of interest tht occurs when a prospective buyer uses the vendors vet is that the vendor must release the horse's veterinary history to the purchser. If they refuse, then the vet should not carry out the vetting. Therefore I think it is best (in the case of an older horse in the same home for a reasonable length of time) to use the vendors vet. If the vendor refuses to open the hisory then you know to steer well clear.
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Ditto this!
 
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