Vettings and Suitabilities
If you are planning to purchase a new horse it is often an expensive venture and can be quite daunting. It is always a concern for a new purchaser whether there are any medical problems or whether the horse will fulfil their expectations.
Some of the most common problems that can be overlooked when buying a new horse include cardiac abnormalities, eye abnormalities and compromised vision, lameness, skin disease, and evidence of previous surgery.
This is where we can help! Whenever you buy a new horse no matter how experienced you may be, we always recommend that the horse is examined prior to purchase by a veterinarian. There is a structured examination protocol that exists that aims to ensure that problems and abnormalities can be detected by the vet, and these findings discussed with the potential purchaser.
Five Stage Suitability Examination
A five stage suitability examination is the standard examination that we recommend. As the name suggests the examination comprises of 5 stages.
Stage 1 Preliminary examination
This is a methodical examination of the horse at rest. An assessment is made regarding the general condition, appearance and health of the horse. This includes an examination of the heart and chest, the teeth, the eyes by ophthalmoscope, the skin, the limbs, and the feet.
Stage 2 Trotting up
The horse is walked and trotted on hard ground to assess gait and lameness. The vet may perform flexion tests which are used to assess the health of the joints. The horse may also be lunged.
Stage 3 Strenuous exercise
The animal is given a period of strenuous exercise. This may involve lungeing and ridden exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to further assess the horse’s breathing, the response of the heart to increased work, and to assess any lameness that may be exacerbated by increased work.
Stage 4 A period of rest
The horse is allowed to stand quietly for a period of time. During this time the heart rate and breathing should return to resting levels.
Stage 5 The second trot-up
The horse is walked and trotted again. This is to see whether any lameness has developed during the period of exercise. The horse may be turned tightly and asked to back-up.
Every veterinary surgeon tends to perform suitability examinations using slightly different methods and protocol, but don’t worry their examination will certainly detect any abnormalities or problems.
We also recommend that blood is taken from the horse at the end of the examination. This blood is then stored and can be assessed for the presence of any drugs that may be in the horse’s system during the examination.
You will be provided with a full written report outlining the results of the examination.
Two Stage Suitability Examination
A 2 stage examination also exists. This examination comprises of the first 2 stages of the standard 5 stage suitability examination.
We only recommend a limited examination prior to purchase if the horses’ condition prevents a full examination i.e. pregnancy or immaturity.
If you do decide to have a limited examination we will ask you to sign a document that states you understand the limitations of such an examination and that you understand that certain conditions may not be detected.
We also recommend that blood is taken from the horse at the end of the examination. This blood is then stored and can be assessed for the presence of any drugs that may be in the horse’s system during the examination.
You will be provided with a full written report outlining the results of the examination.
Other Investigations
We are often asked to perform further examination after a successful initial suitability examination. This may include xrays of the feet and joints, and endoscopy examination of the respiratory tract. These procedures are usually undertaken at the request of insurance companies or when examining high value animals.
Examinations for Insurance
More and more insurance companies are now requesting either a pre-purchase suitability examination report or if you have already purchased the horse, an insurance examination report, before they will insure your horse. Please note that an insurance examination can only take place if you already own the horse.
The type of insurance examination required often depends on the age, the value, and the intended use of the individual horse. The insurance company will inform you regarding the type of examination they require. More often than not a five stage or two stage insurance examination is required. These examinations follow in a similar fashion to the pre-purchase examinations.
AN INSURANCE EXAMINATION CAN NOT BE PERFORMED IN FAVOUR OF A PRE-PURCHASE EXAMINATION IF YOU ARE INTENDING TO PURCHASE A NEW HORSE.
