Ask the Vet: The power of a pre-purchase exam
A pre-purchase exam is an extensive exam performed by a veterinarian for the buyer of a new horse. It is designed to find every flaw a horse may have that would make it a poor candidate for the discipline the new buyer intends to use the animal for. This type of exam gives us a quick insight into the horse’s overall health and soundness. It helps determine if the horse is worth the asking price but also if the animal can withstand the requirements of the buyer. It is important to understand that there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to horses or the exam, and much of this will be determined by buyer requirements and expectations.
As a purchaser, it is important to go into a pre-purchase exam with an open mind. Having a competent veterinarian that you trust, perform the exam and help interpret findings is also crucial. Open communication between you and the vet performing the examination will make the process more rewarding and help you get the most out of the exam.
Most standard pre-purchase exams include a physical exam where all organs are listened to and resting vitals are obtained. All legs, tendons, and joints are palpated to find any previous injuries or scars that could cause lameness issues in the present or in the future. After this, most exams include flexion tests. This means each isolated joint is flexed for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and the horse is expected to trot off from the flexion with no walking steps. If there is pathology, such as osteoarthritis, then the horse will limp to some degree. The degree of unsoundness after a flexion gives the practitioner an idea of the severity of the pathology. Oftentimes, if a horse flexes positive, the vet may suggest imaging, such as radiographs or ultrasound, to determine if any abnormalities are present.
After flexion tests, a lunging routine is performed. This helps the practitioner determine any unevenness that may be present at all three gaits: walk, trot, and lope. The horse should move in both directions. After the exam, we checked vitals again to ensure no cardiac or respiratory abnormalities arose during exercise. Exercise-induced murmurs can be very serious in equine athletes and may induce harm to the rider if a cardiac event occurs while being ridden. An extensive ocular exam should be carried out, and a full neurological exam should also be performed.
Depending on the goals and intended use of the horse, the pre-purchase exam may include other components, such as imaging. If the horse flexed positive to any joints, your veterinarian may suggest radiographs to help give the buyer an understanding of pathology and maintenance that may need to occur to keep the animal in performance. Some buyers ask for blood work to ensure all organs are functioning properly and that the seller has not sedated or drugged the horse for the pre-purchase exam. Many other components can be added or removed from each individual exam. Most pre-purchase exams are individualized for the buyer and the horse. If you are considering purchasing a horse, it is strongly recommended that you have a pre-purchase exam done to ensure the horse is a match for your wants and needs.
“Ask the Vet” is a monthly column written by local veterinarians, including Colin Chaves of Covington Creek Veterinary, Karen Novak of Mendocino Village Veterinary, and Kendall Willson of Mendocino Equine and Livestock. Past articles can be found on the Advocate-News and Beacon websites by searching “Ask the Vet.”