Vetting a horse for purchase

Purchasing a horse is a major commitment in terms of both money and time. Apart from the purchase cost of the horse there is the cost of all the tack, often a trailer and a suitable car to pull it and the considerable annual cost of looking after the horse; insurance, farrier’s fees, feed, stable, bedding and veterinary fees. For this reason it is essential to ensure that any new purchase is suitable for your needs. Temperament and ability is an area that prospective owners wish to judge for themselves but the health of the horse is far less easy for a layperson to judge. For this reason we often get asked to examine and pass an opinion on a horse prior to purchase.There is a national protocol set out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in conjunction with the British Veterinary Association and endorsed by the British Equine Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Defence Society.

This comprises of a ‘five stage vetting’

  1. A preliminary, stable examination.
  2. In hand examination including trot up, turning and backing.
  3. Ridden exercise period of approximately 20 minutes at all paces so that the horse has performed strenuous exercise.
  4. A rest period to allow the horse to settle and a time used to further the examination and provide identification documentation and to take blood samples.
  5. A final, in hand trot up and foot examination.

Before purchasing a horse or pony we would strongly recommend that you consider asking your veterinary surgeon to perform the five stage vetting. The ‘vetting’ undertakes a protocol to provide you, the purchaser with information regarding the animals health and condition and allows us to advise you on the suitability for the discipline that you may wish the horse to undertake. The ‘vetting’ should be seen in the same light as house survey. It doesn’t lift every floor board. It does give you a sound oversight of health as seen at the time of examination and the opinion of suitability of the veterinary surgeon.

Protocol the prospective purchaser should follow

  1. The examination can only be done on behalf of the PURCHASER; not the vendor.
  2. We would recommend that the prospective purchaser has examined and ridden the horse / pony, fully prior to arranging the ‘vetting’. Past experience suggests that the horse should be ridden under the conditions likely to be experienced after purchase (e.g. if the purchaser wishes to show jump, make sure that the horse can jump the heights required and over a course of jumps which might be found under competition conditions) and ideally away from the home environment. In Guernsey where road hacking and boxing are essential make sure that the horse is happy to box, go past tractors, motor bikes etc..
  3. Discuss vices (see below) with the vendor and seek a written warranty.
  4. Ask the vendor about any past medical history.
  5. Ask to speak to the farrier to ascertain if there have been any farriery problems.
  6. Ensure that the horse has a good set of shoes and has well trimmed feet. Do NOT have new shoes put on the horse in the 48 hours prior to the ‘vetting’
  7. Speak to the vet, in person, to discuss what you want the horse to be able to do.
  8. If you have any particular concerns tell the vet about them over the telephone prior to the date of examination.
  9.  If the vet has any prior knowledge which may make him or her believe that they may fail the horse at the time of the ‘vetting’ then they should refuse to undertake the vetting.
  10. Ensure that the horse is in a stable with a clean bed and clean hooves for at least 1 hour prior to the ‘vetting’. It is preferable, but not essential that it is the horses normal stable. Present the horse with a head collar and rope.
  11. Ensure that there is a suitable trotting area (in hand) and an area where strenuous exercise (at least a prolonged, hard, canter) can be performed.
  12. Have tack at hand for the ridden exercise regime.
  13. The purchaser should be present if possible and ideally they or their agent, rather than the vendor will ride the horse.
  14. A blood test will be taken. The vendor should sign a consent form at the time of the vetting for the blood test.
  15. The purchaser will be provided with a certificate for the vetting which will identify the animal and state the suitability or not of the horse for the required usage and also state the reasons for this decision. We would advise that the purchaser does not exchange any monies or guarantees of purchase until they have received this certificate.

Warranty

If purchasers wish to obtain a warranty covering such matters as height, freedom from vices, temperament, the non-administration of drugs prior to examination or the animal’s existing performance as a hunter, show-jumper, riding pony, eventer, etc…, they are advised to seek such a warranty in writing from the vendor, as these are matters between vendor and purchaser and are not the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon. The certification does not cover an examination for pregnancy.


Opinion

The opinion expressed at the time of the vetting is based solely on the clinical examination set out above and is given subject to the qualification that the said animal may be subject to some previously administered drug or medicament intended to or having the effect of masking or concealing some disease, injury or physical abnormality which might otherwise be clinically discovered at some future date.

At the time of ‘vetting’ we take a routine blood sample which is stored at   laboratory in Newmarket for 6 months post sampling. This sample can be tested immediately after the ’vetting’ for drugs such as phenylbutazone if you so wish or at any time whilst in storage. Please obtain a quote if you wish the blood to be tested. The blood test does not include haematology or biochemistry.

Under certain circumstances a TWO stage vetting procedure may be undertaken if asked for by the prospective purchaser and this comprises the first two elements of the above examination. A purchaser requiring a two stage vetting should sign a disclaimer. The Practice believes that the FIVE stage procedure should be undertaken where possible.



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