The Pre-Purchase Exam
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’ve talked about riding lessons, checking the stable for possible flooding problems and what and what not to consider for your first horse. Now let’s talk about whether or not a pre-purchase exam is necessary.
First let me say, you need to get the March issue of EQUUS. If you don’t have a subcription and would like to subscribe to EQUUS, just click on the EQUUS picture at the right. This issue has a 14 page article on the pre-purchase exam. It tells what the process is, takes you through an exam and gives you a few stories about different outcomes based on the findings of the pre-purchase exam. This is another MUST read article for the novice. I really can’t tell you any more than what is in this article.
I have only had 2 full pre-purchase exams on horses that I either own or was considering. I had a partial exam on a horse that had an eye defect. One horse failed the exam because of arthritis that I would not have found without the vet check. The horse with the eye defect was cleared because it was a birth defect and it was determined the defect shouldn’t bother her. I still have the eye checked every year though. The other horse passed the exam and then I had x-rays done on the knees. I wanted these x-rays because the horse was just a 2 year old and I wanted to see if the knees had finished developing. My decision for just knee x-rays was based on what the cost of the exam would be with full leg x-rays. I simply couldn’t afford all of the x-rays.
You should consider your budget for horse expenses. Pre-purchase exams are not cheap. The cost will probably vary depending on which part of the country you live in. Are they worth the money? If it prevents you from buying an unhealthy or injured horse obviously the answer is YES! If the pre-purchase exam proves that the horse is sound, then you not only have piece of mind, but now have a better idea what the horse can do. Also, the more expensive the horse, the more obvious it is that you should have the pre-purchase exam done. And if you are considering a less expensive horse, that shouldn’t keep you from considering the pre-purchase exam. If you are trying to save money & buy a cheap horse that costs you a ton in vet bills, well . . . it wasn’t a cheap horse. You, with the help of your trainer and/or vet, should make the decision of whether or not to have the pre-purchase exam or at least how much of the exam you can afford.
Like I said above, I had 2 full exams done and only came home with 1 horse. One exam ABSOLUTELY saved me from buying a gorgeous palomino I really wanted but had unseen problems. If you are actively looking for a horse, maybe you should consider a pre-purchase exam for the top candidate. If the horse passes, you have a new equine friend. If the horse fails, you are only out the cost of the exam instead of the price of an unsuitable horse plus whatever else it will take to keep the horse sound and healthy.
Read the article. Be informed. Consider the costs. Ultimately, the decision for the pre-purchase exam is yours.
