Vet checks - who to use and what to expect?

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Petal77

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Hi everyone. I recently lost my beautiful boy to an anesthetic reaction after a tooth extraction - very sad and shocking. However I am trying to move forwards and have found myself a lovely young horse who I would like to get vetted prior to purchase.

It's been a while since I did this (ten years!) and so I am just wondering what I should be asking for, what options I have for the vet check, and also if anyone has any recommendations for which vets to use? The new horse is located near Bromsgrove, not an area I am familiar with as I live in Berkshire. Do I use the current owners vet or get her to suggest one? Or should I find a totally independent vet somehow?

The horse is very green but can walk and trot in the school, and canter at a push (school small and him big and unbalanced!!), but is freer moving in the open, obviously. I am assuming vet can check for soundness, wind etc despite the fact he probably won't be galloping anywhere! Sorry, hazy memories of having this done to my old horse over ten years ago...

Thanks for any thoughts..!
 
Sorry you lost your boy.

Definitely use an independent Vet - are you having a two or five stage vetting? When I have had a vetting on a younger horse the Vet has wanted them cantered on the lunge to check their wind. I have to admit this makes me uncomfortable to do on a young horse, you can obviously ask your Vet to omit anything you are not happy with.

The Vet will ask what you intend to use the horse for and base the vetting, and his recommendations on this. Are you close enough to be present at the vetting?

Good luck, I hope he passes :)
 
The options are a two stage vetting which is basic heart eye and general inspection, and includes a trot up and down in hand.
The five stage vetting is a decent work up including cantering to check wind and heart at exercise.
Riding is not essential [I think], though I was ask to ride, but the vetting was done on an icy and snowy day, the mare was barely fit but she was sold as suited to a mother/child.
The five stage includes blood samples taken and stored for six months, but if you say it will be a 5 stage vetting, they [probably] won't dope it!
You have to tell the vet what is the purpose of your purchase and he will tell you if it is fit for purpose.
There will normally be no need for X-rays on a young untried horse with no known problem.
You can use their vet, which allows you access to horse history if they have had it for a while. If the horse is likely to be spun, I think they would want you to use another vet, I am not sure whether it is good or bad idea.
Main thing is if the horse is going to be asked to compete then you need a Good Equine Vet
 
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Thanks very much everyone - I asked the owner for her recommendation and she suggested a vet who knew her but didn't treat the horse I like, so I guess that's a good compromise! Vetting scheduled for next Friday...
I told the vet what the horse has done and his limitations and they are going to do the five stage but obviously not go crazy with the canter work as that's his weak spot at present.

Eek! So excited...!
 
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