A better-informed horse purchase.

Buying a horse is a significant decision. An independent equine pre-purchase examination helps you discuss veterinary findings in the context of how you hope to use that particular horse.

What does a pre-purchase examination do?

A pre-purchase examination (often called a vetting) is an examination of an individual horse for a prospective purchaser. It is not a promise that a horse will remain healthy, nor does it provide a universal pass-or-fail certificate. The examining veterinary surgeon considers the findings, the horse presented, and the purchaser's intended use.

Why intended use matters

Tell the vet what you plan to do with the horse, whether that is leisure riding, competition or another purpose. The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) explains that pre-purchase opinions are specific to the purchaser and their stated intended use, which is why clear communication before the examination is important.

What happens at a five-stage vetting?

Where a five-stage examination is agreed and can be carried out, the stages generally cover an initial clinical examination, assessment in hand at walk and trot, an exercise phase, a period of rest and re-examination, followed by a second trot-up. The vet may discuss additional investigations, such as imaging or blood sampling, depending on the circumstances.

Questions worth asking beforehand

• What level of examination is appropriate for my intended use?
• Can the required facilities and a suitable area for exercise be made available?
• Are any optional tests appropriate, and what would they cost?
• How will the findings and their implications be explained to me?

After the examination

Ask the examining vet to explain the findings in plain language and how they relate to your plans. Only a veterinary professional who has examined the horse can give an informed clinical opinion about that animal.

Further reading: BEVA pre-purchase examination guidance.