Buyer Education Series: The Pre-Purchase Exam

​    The pre-purchase veterinary exam is the last step and deciding factor in purchasing a horse.  Whether the horse is intended for pleasure or performance, the exam is an important indicator of the animal’s health and soundness and a predictor of future soundness and a nutritional program going forward.  Despite popular belief, pre-purchase exams are optional. However, in this professional’s opinion they should not be.  You never know what lurks beneath the surface, and I like for my clients to be well informed considering the scope of the investment they are about to make.
    A standard pre-purchase exam identifies any problems or potential for problems with the horse. Keep in mind that the exam presents  a snapshot of the horse on one particular day.  Things happen and horses can become sick or injured the next.  It’s important that buyers remain realistic in their expectations.  Not all horses are perfect and almost always have some sort of problem or flaw. For instance,  older horses will have more wear and tear than a young horse.  Buyers must be mindful of what they are willing to deal with and what they can afford to work with.

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