Services
Vettings
PRE PURCHASE EXAMINATIONS (VETTINGS)
Before purchasing a new horse it is advisable to have a pre-purchase examination carried out. This will help to identify any ailments that may prevent the horse from performing at your intended level. It will also enable comprehensive insurance cover to be obtained. Either a 2 stage or 5 stage vetting can be undertaken. However, a 5 stage examination (see below) is usually more suitable as it is a more thorough procedure. Our practice encourages the purchaser (our client) to be present at the vetting so that any findings can be discussed during the examination. Further details on the process of booking a pre-purchase examination are given at the bottom of this page, or further information please feel free to contact the surgery.
Prior to a vetting we will require specific information about the horse being purchased, the horse's owner and the agent (if an agent is being used). If we are aware of having EVER treated the horse being purchased, even if it was during prior ownership, we are obliged to disclose all previous veterinary history we have on the horse. If permission is not given by the owner or previous owners to disclose any previous history that we are aware could be significant to the horse's suitability for purchase, we may be unable to carry out the vetting because a conflict of interest will exist (i.e. we would be aware of significant information about the horse, but unable to disclose it to the purchaser).
It is of vital importance that suitable facilities are available on the day of the vetting. It is the responsiblity of the purchaser (our client) to make sure that the facilities are suitable. If a vetting has to be cancelled or re-scheduled because the facilities are not suitable, the purchaser will still be charged for a visit fee and any time spent on the aborted examination. Facilities must include: a stable that can be darkened to allow proper examination of the horse's eyes; a flat, hard (concrete or tarmac) trot up surface large enough for trotting in hand in a straight line and for lunging on the hard; an area suitable for riding the horse including canter and gallop work; suitable tack for the horse to be ridden and lunged; a jockey of suitable size for the horse being purchased. If the area is very noisy (i.e. beside a main road with constant traffic flow) it may not be suitable for assessing the horse's heart, lungs and breathing during exercise.
If the purchaser is in any doubt about the standard of the facilities available, please speak to one of our vets before confirming your booking. We have excellent facilities at our practice for performing vettings and it may be more suitable to transport the horse to us for vetting if facilities are its home yard are not up to standard.
Before purchasing a new horse it is advisable to have a pre-purchase examination carried out. This will help to identify any ailments that may prevent the horse from performing at your intended level. It will also enable comprehensive insurance cover to be obtained. Either a 2 stage or 5 stage vetting can be undertaken. However, a 5 stage examination (see below) is usually more suitable as it is a more thorough procedure. Our practice encourages the purchaser (our client) to be present at the vetting so that any findings can be discussed during the examination. Further details on the process of booking a pre-purchase examination are given at the bottom of this page, or further information please feel free to contact the surgery.
Prior to a vetting we will require specific information about the horse being purchased, the horse's owner and the agent (if an agent is being used). If we are aware of having EVER treated the horse being purchased, even if it was during prior ownership, we are obliged to disclose all previous veterinary history we have on the horse. If permission is not given by the owner or previous owners to disclose any previous history that we are aware could be significant to the horse's suitability for purchase, we may be unable to carry out the vetting because a conflict of interest will exist (i.e. we would be aware of significant information about the horse, but unable to disclose it to the purchaser).
It is of vital importance that suitable facilities are available on the day of the vetting. It is the responsiblity of the purchaser (our client) to make sure that the facilities are suitable. If a vetting has to be cancelled or re-scheduled because the facilities are not suitable, the purchaser will still be charged for a visit fee and any time spent on the aborted examination. Facilities must include: a stable that can be darkened to allow proper examination of the horse's eyes; a flat, hard (concrete or tarmac) trot up surface large enough for trotting in hand in a straight line and for lunging on the hard; an area suitable for riding the horse including canter and gallop work; suitable tack for the horse to be ridden and lunged; a jockey of suitable size for the horse being purchased. If the area is very noisy (i.e. beside a main road with constant traffic flow) it may not be suitable for assessing the horse's heart, lungs and breathing during exercise.
If the purchaser is in any doubt about the standard of the facilities available, please speak to one of our vets before confirming your booking. We have excellent facilities at our practice for performing vettings and it may be more suitable to transport the horse to us for vetting if facilities are its home yard are not up to standard.
FIVE STAGE VETTING
The order that the vet carries out each specific part of the examination may vary slightly between vets, but this is a basic guide to the examination and what it involves.
Stage 1 - Preliminary examination
This stage is usually conducted in a well lit area to allow every part of the horse's body to be thoroughly examined. The vet notes the animal's general appearance and condition. The teeth are examined and used to assess the animal's age. The heart and eyes are examined for evidence of any abnormalities. To examine the eyes, it is essential that a darkened area can be accessed, as real darkness is required to carry out a thorough ocular exam. The vet will run their hand over the animal's entire body and limbs to detect any injuries or lesions.
Stage 2 - Trot up
The horse should be walked and trotted on a hard, level surface - if possible by an attendant used to handling horses. The horse should be led in such a way that there is no interference with its head action or with the vet's view. Flexion tests are then performed on all four limbs. The aim of the flexion tests are to identify subtle lameness that may not be apparent on a standard trot up. The response to a flexion test however has to be assessed carefully and in correlation with the rest of the findings of the examination. If any form of lameness is identified during this stage the vetting should not be continued. The final part of this stage is to turn the horse on a tight circle on both reins and to back the horse a few paces in order to try and localise any neurological deficits.
The horse may then be lunged on a circle. You will be asked when you arrange your pre-purchase examination whether you would specifically like the horse to be lunged on a hard surface. Sometimes there will not be suitable facilities to lunge a horse on a hard surface, and sometimes your vet will advise that lunging on the hard is not suitable for other reasons - for example if the horse has no shoes on. If you are unsure about the benefits of lunging on a hard surface during a pre-purchase examination please discuss it with your vet.
Stage 3 - Strenuous Exercise
The object of this stage is to exert the horse, not exhaust it, and its age, condition and fitness should all be taken into account. During preferably ridden exercise, close evaluation of the horse's gait at different paces is observed. Symptoms of head shaking or back pain may also become apparent whilst being ridden. The horse should be given sufficient exercise to make it breathe more deeply and rapidly so that any unusual breathing sounds may be heard. Immediatley following exercise the heart is listened to again to check for any cardiac abnormalities that are accentuated by exercise. Unbroken horses or horses too small to be ridden may be lunged instead.
Stage 4 - A period of rest
Following exercise the horse is allowed a period of rest. This is when the horse is checked to see if it has been microchipped and also has a blood sample taken (for an additional fee) if you have requested one. We strongly recommend that a blood sample is taken, but there may be circumstances where it is not required (i.e. if you have have been looking after the horse yourself during a trial period and therefore know yourself what medications have been given). The blood sample is stored for six months and can be checked for the prescence of a large list of drugs if required and at an additional cost. The passport will then be checked to ensure all details concerning the age, colour, breed and identification are correct. A final assessment of the horse's foot balance and general bodily conformation are then made.
Stage 5 - The final trot up
The final trot up allows the vet to observe the horse for any signs of lameness that may have become more obvious following the period of strenous exercise.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
Vices - These are objectionable habits which are note necessarily ascertainable during the examination. If, however, vices, or evidence of vices, are observed during the vetting they may be recorded on the certificate under the heading 'other observations' and taken into account in the concluding opinion.
Stage 3 - Strenuous Exercise
The object of this stage is to exert the horse, not exhaust it, and its age, condition and fitness should all be taken into account. During preferably ridden exercise, close evaluation of the horse's gait at different paces is observed. Symptoms of head shaking or back pain may also become apparent whilst being ridden. The horse should be given sufficient exercise to make it breathe more deeply and rapidly so that any unusual breathing sounds may be heard. Immediatley following exercise the heart is listened to again to check for any cardiac abnormalities that are accentuated by exercise. Unbroken horses or horses too small to be ridden may be lunged instead.
Stage 4 - A period of rest
Following exercise the horse is allowed a period of rest. This is when the horse is checked to see if it has been microchipped and also has a blood sample taken (for an additional fee) if you have requested one. We strongly recommend that a blood sample is taken, but there may be circumstances where it is not required (i.e. if you have have been looking after the horse yourself during a trial period and therefore know yourself what medications have been given). The blood sample is stored for six months and can be checked for the prescence of a large list of drugs if required and at an additional cost. The passport will then be checked to ensure all details concerning the age, colour, breed and identification are correct. A final assessment of the horse's foot balance and general bodily conformation are then made.
Stage 5 - The final trot up
The final trot up allows the vet to observe the horse for any signs of lameness that may have become more obvious following the period of strenous exercise.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
Vices - These are objectionable habits which are note necessarily ascertainable during the examination. If, however, vices, or evidence of vices, are observed during the vetting they may be recorded on the certificate under the heading 'other observations' and taken into account in the concluding opinion.
Detection of medications - At the purchaser's request a blood sample will be taken during the vetting and stored for 6 months. If there is any subsequent doubt about whether the horse was treated with (for example) pain killers of tranquilisers during the vetting, the sample can then be run at additional cost which will be met by the purchaser. The cost of running analysis on a pre-purchase examination blood must be paid in full before any analysis is performed. Some 'medications' and supplements will not show up on a blood test, but could effect the performance of a horse during a vetting - for example glucosamine, 'no-bute' type supplements (containing Devil's Claw herb) and over-the-counter horse calmers.
Height - For the purposes of the examination, the height of a horse or pony is not a concern of the examining veterinarian. If you would like an estimate of the height of the horse you are purchasing, please request this when you book the vetting in and we will bring a measuring stick. Any estimate of height made during a vetting is exactly that - an estimate. If you require a horse or pony to meet certain height conditions you must ensure that it has the appropriate certification, or you must arrange for a JMB height measurement to be performed separately from the vetting itself.
Warranty - If a purchaser wishes to obtain a warranty covering such matters as height, freedom of vices or the animal's existing performance as a hunter, showjumper, riding pony, eventer etc.., they should be advised to seek such warranty in writing from the vendor, as these matters are between the vendor and the purchaser and are not the responsibility of the veterinarian.
HOW TO ARRANGE A VETTING
To arrange a vetting please contact the surgery on 01376 513369 or use our online form found in the 'Contact Us' section. You will be asked for details about the horse you are intending to purchase (including its breed, sex, age, height, colour and its intended use after purchse) and about the horse's owner and agent (if being sold via a third party) so please have these details ready. Before any pre-purchase examination is carried out you will be required to pay the full cost of the pre-purchase examination including visit fee. This is fully refundable with 48 hours notice, any cancellations made after this time will incur a nominal fee.
