5 Stage Pre-Purchase Examination

1.Preliminary Examination: The vet will check the identity of horse corresponds to the passport provided before performing a thorough external clinical examination including assessment of the incisors, eyes, heart, lungs and limbs.

2.Trot Up: The horse is observed walking and trotting in hand in a straight line. Flexion tests will be performed on all four limbs if possible. Ideally the horse is also watched lunging on both a soft and a firm surface, if there is a suitable area available.

3.Exercise Phase:  In most instances the horse is observed ridden at this stage. The horse is observed for any performance issues or lameness under saddle, before progressing to a more strenuous episode of exercise to evaluate cardiac and respiratory response to exercise. If the horse cannot be ridden this phase may be conducted on the lunge.

4.Rest Phase: The horse is monitored while recovering from the exercise test.

5.Second Trot up: The horse is trotted up post exercise. Lunging or repeat flexion tests may be repeated at this stage if deemed necessary.

2 stage pre-purchase examinations

A limited PPE may be performed at the request of the purchaser, and will involve the first two stages outlined above. If a 2 stage PPE is requested, the purchaser will be asked to sign a declaration acknowledging the limitations of the examination. If the horse is being insured, please check with the relevant insurance company that a 2 stage examination is sufficient.

A blood sample will be taken at the time of the PPE and is stored for 6 months in an independent laboratory. If there are issues after purchase, it is possible to request analysis of this sample to detect substances present in the horse’s system which may have masked any factors affecting the horse’s suitability for the intended purpose.

Radiography, ultrasonography and endoscopy may be performed as part of the pre-purchase examination in some cases.

It is the purchaser’s responsibility to communicate with insurance companies prior to the PPE and determine whether they require any specific additional procedures e.g. x-rays.

After the pre-purchase examination, you will be provided with a certificate documenting any relevant findings. It is recommended that this is submitted to the chosen insurance company for review prior to completing the purchase, as it is possible that exclusions may be placed on the policy for pre-existing conditions or findings noted at the PPE. If radiographs have been taken it is advisable that these are also sent to the insurance company for review by their veterinary advisor. You should ensure that you have insurance in place prior to transporting your horse if you do proceed with purchase.

Hampton Equine Vets also offer assessment for insurance purposes in horses already purchased. Please call us to discuss these on an individual basis if required.

Limitations of the Pre-purchase Examination

Unfortunately,  purchase and ownership of an animal does not come without risks. The purpose of a PPE is to identify, assess and quantify risk so that the purchaser can reach an informed decision about proceeding with an intended purchase. It is important to understand that we assess the horse at a single moment in time, and while our aim is to identify any potential risks, our assessment on the day cannot guarantee that the horse’s condition will not change at a later date. Other limitations are outlined below:

Incomplete Examinations: If a limited examination is requested (2 stage), it is possible that abnormalities only evident at stages 3, 4, or 5 may not be detected. This is also true in the case of stages omitted due to other circumstances (for example being unable to examine a horse trotted on hard circle due to the absence of a suitable area, or being unable to safely perform flexion tests on a young horse).

Previous Treatments: The horse may have received relevant treatment for a pre-existing medical condition that is not declared to the vet performing the PPE. This may influence clinical findings on the day of the examination. The purchaser may request a copy of the horse’s medical history from the vendor prior to the PPE. In addition, it is the purchaser’s responsibility, advised under the Trades Description Act, to consider obtaining a signed warranty from the vendor. This may cover areas such as freedom from any vices and declaration of relevant past medical history.

Ownership: It is not the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to ascertain that the declared seller has a legal title in the horse presented.

Age: Estimates of age via a dental examination are unreliable.

Oral Examination: A visual examination of the incisors is undertaken during stage 1 of the examination. However, an oral examination with a speculum is not included in the standard procedure and therefore the examination of the mouth is limited.

If you would like to arrange a vetting please complete the request form below - we endeavour to respond to your request within one working day. Please note that if Hampton Equine Vets identifies a conflict of interest in relation to the vendor or the horse being presented for the pre-purchase examination, then you may be informed that the request has been declined. Please note that if you are not an existing client of Hampton Equine Vets, you will be required to pay for your pre-purchase examination upon confirming the appointment and prior to the start of the examination.