PRE-PURCHASE EXAMINATIONS

Pre-purchase exams are often a source of confusion for both buyers and sellers as it is not something that is undertaken on a regular basis (unless one of the parties is professionally involved in horse trading).
Pre purchase exams are performed on behalf of the purchaser after obtaining a brief from them. It is not up to the vendor to “organise a vet check”.

The extent of the exam will depend on what the purchaser requests and what the horse is intended for. Examinations of say, a child’s riding pony, a broodmare and a racehorse have very different focuses. In addition to a clinical exam, auxiliary tests may include such things as endoscopy, radiography, ultrasonography, blood tests, drug testing, ECG, rectal exam, biopsies etc. Examinations are not always conclusive and sometimes the vet may recommend further investigations be undertaken in order to provide a more accurate report.

After examination a report (oral or written) is then made to the purchaser. This report is confidential. The vendor is not automatically entitled to this information (despite the fact that they own the horse). The purchaser has commissioned (and is responsible for payment for this exam) and therefore it is at the purchaser’s discretion whether or not the information is shared with the vendor.

The vet does not “pass or fail” the horse, but rather provides a list of any abnormal findings and some suggestion as to their possible consequences. It is up to the purchaser whether or not they proceed with the purchase of the horse. The vet makes no determination as to the suitability of the horse for the purpose intended, this is a business judgement that is solely the responsibility of the purchaser and should be based on a variety of factors, only one of which is the veterinary exam. The veterinary exam is not a warranty and will not detect all abnormalities even when conducted to the highest possible standards.

The pre purchase exam can be a minefield, but greater understanding and communication is the key to obtaining the most useful information from this process. Please feel free to contact us at Riverdene for further information about pre purchase examinations regardless of whether you are buying or selling a horse.