Taking a vet with you to view horses?

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Sologirl

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Is this acceptable? I'm a vet student and so know quite a few vets - if I were to ask one to come with me to actually view a horse, and then if the horse was suitable would I be able to ask for a vetting to be carried out there and then? Obviously this would be a professional agreement rather than a "favour".

My head is just full of horror stories about dealers sedating horses for viewings etc - surely the only people who'd object would be those with something to hide? I'm just thinking that if it could be done, it would save time/money, be a brilliant opinion-giver on the horse, stop me being "gazumped" on a nice horse and help prevent me buying a nutcase that's been doped up to the eyeballs!

What do you reckon?
 
If you can get a vet to accompany you and the owners are happy with having a vetting done there and then then I can't see a problem, it would speed the process up for both parties, but I'd make sure to ask the owners about the vetting in advance.
 
Regardless of professional etiquette, you can't do both a viewing and a vetting in one go, except if you decide to buy the horse subject to vetting and the vet then does his thing.
But if one offers to come along with you as a friend there can be no problem, but they can't be expected to know if horse has been doped for the trial, also there are other ways of calming a lively horse down, yes he would be able to tell you if he felt the horse was obviously lame, but that is not the same as a full vet check for lameness.
 
It could work out expensive if you don't find the horse you want to buy straight away. And arguably not a good use of a vet's time being dragged to various yards to see horses that turn out to be no way suitable.
I would take a knowledgeable friend to first viewings (to separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were) and then decide whether to take the vet for second viewings.
 
Its perfectly possible, and shouldn't offend a decent owner (will give them a shock though and you won't be able to guarantee that the horse has not been exercised that morning, which is usually required in a vetting..)

I think you are perhaps worrying a bit too much. You read a lot about doping etc on here, but its not actually that common. In a regular vetting you take bloods anyway, which would show doping...
 
Quote " Regardless of professional etiquette, you can't do both a viewing and a vetting in one go, except if you decide to buy the horse subject to vetting and the vet then does his thing."

Why not?

If she can get a vet to go along with her to view a horse & if she likes the horse then the vet can do his thing. I see no reason why that can't happen. If the seller resists & is against this then walk away. If I was selling I would have no issue with this happening. :)
 
Thanks for the replies, yep some very good points. Probably best off taking a vet friend along as a favour just for an opinion and then arranging a vetting later on if suitable! :)

Toby Zaphod - well that's what I wondered, I wouldn't ask the vet to step straight in there and start vetting before I'd had a look etc, just there more for an expert eye at first, and then to save me having to arrange a vetting another day, particularly if the horse was a good distance away. If the seller was genuine then they might even be pleased that things happened quickly?
 
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If it wasn't OK and you were a vet yourself, would you have to send a non vet to have a look first for you?

I would have a look myself first though anyway as you could be distracted by concern over the health and condition of the horse , when you should also be considering if the horse is right for you in character , temperament and ability.
 
Judging from my first viewing today I would say go on your own or with another friend to narrow down the search, and then get one to come along with you once you think you like them or have narrowed it down to a few. Unless the vet is your best pal you wouldn't want them to get fed up with looking at horses with you and then you find one you do want to buy :-)

I think telling sellers you are bringing a vet friend might help to separate those out who have anything to hide! Hmm wonder if I could employ an actor!
 
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