Buying a Horse? Consider a Pre-Purchase Exam

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.

Wellness Exams

Checking Vitals

Wellness exams are essential to keeping your horse healthy and can catch small problems before they become major health concerns. Horse experts recommend that you have your horse examined annually by a trusted veterinarian and more often than once a year for older horses.

During these wellness exams, it is always important to review the animal’s health history, making sure that you point out anything and everything that has changed since the last exam.    A good physical assessment should also take place and should include body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, body condition score, a good look inside their mouth, listening to their GI tract, heart and lungs.  A fecal sample should be collected at this time to be evaluated for internal parasites.  Fecal egg counts indicate the parasite load inside the animal and help your veterinarian determine the best wormer rotation for your animal.  On the flip side, if the parasite load is low, the fecal sample indicates that you are already controlling parasites on your property.  Either way, this is information that owners need to know.  

Worming

 Blood work and vaccinations may also be conducted during wellness exams.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, horses should receive annual core vaccinations.  These core vaccinations are Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus, Rabies and West Nile Virus.  Depending on your location, there may be other vaccinations that your vet will recommend to you.  Certain blood tests will give the doctor an inside look at what is going on internally and could detect irregularities so that they may be addressed quickly and efficiently.  

 

Drawing Blood

Winter is right around the corner so Fall is the perfect time to have your vet check your horse’s gait for changes or signs of lameness that can progress quickly during harsh winter weather.  Lameness exams should definitely be conducted on horses with arthritis to evaluate whether or not they will require additional treatment or care throughout the winter.

Wellness exams are a time for owners to discuss nutrition, diet changes and exercise routines along with anything else that you might have questions about.  Before the exam, make a list of all the questions that you have for your veterinarian so that you can be sure you won’t forget to ask them while they are there.  Don’t wait!  Go ahead and schedule your Equine Wellness Exam as soon as possible because healthy horses are happy horses and happy horses make happy owners.