Pre-purchase vetting?

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Purple_Alien

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Just trying to gather some info.... When you bought your horses did you have them vetted prior to purchase, if so 2 or 5 stage. Any ideas on cost?

I am not looking at spending loads on the actual horse, maybe 3000 to 4000, and just weighing up all the other stuff!

I am not a complete newby, have shared for many years, so know all the keeping/running costs, etc, but this will be the first one actually bought by me...

Thanks
 
Depends on where the vetting takes place, as there are regional cost variations, but a PPE is about £250 round here. That includes bloods, but doesn't include X rays (but I don't imagine you'll be wanting X rays!)

If you want to insure your new horse, most insurers like/want a 5 stage exam. 2 stage doesn't give you much info, and isn't really a recognised exam.
 
I'd get a vetting done, the stage would depend on how much I was spending & what I wanted the horse for. If a vetting throws up a major problem - & they can do & the owner be completely unaware - then that vetting may have saved you a lot of heartache & money.
 
The vetting, to me, is not just about the cost of the horse. It is a balance of what the horse will possibly cost in vets fees, and also what you would do if the horse was lame and could not work either long term or permanently.

The initial cost is the small part. Some are quite clear, if a horse will need a year off they won't keep it weather that means selling at a sale or PTS. Other people have horses that have worked for 3 months, then been retired in luxury for 10 years.

For your first horse I would have a 5 stage vetting, and insure. It is still no guarantee from disappointment, but with a pass from an independent vet, you stand a fighting chance for a happy future.
 
Always. I had one done recently and horse had a surprise fail (now off the market and staying with owner).
5 stage is always the way to go.
The only time I wouldn't would be for a super cheap off the mountain pony (they're about £2-300).
 
Definitely get a vetting done - I prefer 5 stage and they cost anything from £275 upwards here depending on how far the vet has to travel and how long the vet is at the vendors place.
 
I don't now, and haven't for many years, but if I was a first time buyer of a single horse like you, then I would. I hope that helps?

Ask around who thinks the vet is who sellers would least like to have vet their horse for sale because they are 'too picky' , and use them. You probably know, but on no account use the vendors vet!
 
I'm having one vetted on Wednesday. Now some think I don't need to as I've had horse on trial for 3 weeks already. BUT for the sake of £340 hard saved for money I think it's worth it.

Also I can't get LOU insurance without a 5 stage
 
If the horse is less than £500 and you are happy to shoot it if broken then don't bother. (Or more than £500 if you can write off more!). I would get one done if more than I could afford to lose.
 
I got my new horse 5 stage vetted 4 months ago, was just under £300 and very much worth it for the piece of mind.
 
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