There are all sorts of deals made to buy and sell horses,
ranging from barter to auctions to direct sales. Prices range from almost nothing to millions
of dollars, depending on the breeding and purpose for having the horse. When buying a horse, it is a good idea to have
examined by a qualified veterinarian before closing the deal and becoming the
owner of both the horse and any problems that may be associated with it. Believe it or not, there are some sellers in
the world who don’t disclose any health issues or physical problems. This puts buying a horse in the category of
buyer beware, unless the seller and the horse are well known.
In any case, a pre-purchase exam is a good idea. Investing
in a horse includes time, money, and emotion, so we want the overall investment
to be successful whether the horse is a family pet, a breeding animal, a show
horse, or an athlete. Sure, the exam
will cost a bit, adding to the overall cost of the purchase, but a little
invested in an exam can help a buyer avoid potential problems.
Purchase exams can vary, depending on the purpose for owning
the horse. Because horses are used in so
many different ways, choosing a veterinarian to conduct the purchase exam is
important. For instance, the exam
criteria for a race horse can be very different from an exam for a family horse
that is ridden occasionally. Choose a veterinarian
that is familiar with the expected use of the horse and the breed characteristics.
Clear communications are critical when deciding on the exam criteria. Communicate the expectations and primary uses
for the horse in both the short and long term.
Ask the veterinarian to explain the procedures to be included
in the exam and why they were chosen. Know
the cost up front so there are no financial surprises once the exam is
completed. Be present during the exam and invite the seller to be present also,
but discuss the findings in private with the veterinarian. Be sure to ask questions!
The veterinarian’s job is to make the examination and
present any findings. This is not a
pass/fail process, but an information gathering process to help make a more
informed decision about the purchase.
Both the buyer and seller can benefit from a pre-purchase exam. Objective health-related information is
valuable in making management decisions, including whether or not to go ahead
and buy the horse.
The American
Association of Equine Practitioners has more information on this topic, and
other information on horse health and management.
No comments:
Post a Comment