If you are looking for your next horse, our Turlock vets offer pre-purchase evaluations to ensure your next equine partner is well-suited for your needs.
What is a pre-purchase exam?
A pre-purchase evaluation enables us to gather and interpret the information necessary to assist you in selecting a horse that best suits your needs.
For us to fairly evaluate the horse, the animal should be fit, conditioned, and in training for its intended use.
If the horse being examined has been laid off for some time will be difficult to evaluate them for lameness.
At Taylor Veterinary Emergency, our team wants to help ensure that your next horse will be able to meet all the physical demands of your training program.
Why should you consider a pre-purchase exam?
A horse pre-purchase exam is often requested by a potential horse buyer.
These comprehensive evaluations are done to help reduce the buyer’s risks when purchasing a new horse and determine the general health and athletic soundness of the horse for sale.
The examination is not meant to guarantee that the horse is sound but is an attempt, on the part of the examining veterinarian, to ascertain any preexisting problem or any potential problem that may affect future soundness (e.g., degenerative joint disease).
If you are considering purchasing a horse, contact us. We will coordinate with you and the seller to book a pre-purchase examination.
Pre-Purchase Exam Steps
Pre-Purchase exams for horses assist you and your trainer in assessing whether a horse is fit for its intended use at the time of purchase, and consist of five steps:
- A standing evaluation of the entire horse, including the heart, lungs, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, and overall body condition.
- A moving exam where the horse is observed on soft and hard footing, and if possible, under saddle.
- A series of flexion tests to evaluate each limb region.
- A standard set of X-rays. Additional X-rays can be taken if a buyer has specific concerns.
- Blood work — including Coggins, additional chemistry work, and a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to evaluate organ function and blood cell values. A complete drug screen may be done at the owner's request.