A pre-purchase examination (PPE) — sometimes called a “vetting” — is a thorough veterinary assessment of a horse carried out on behalf of a prospective buyer before a sale is completed. Its purpose is to identify any existing health conditions, soundness issues, or abnormalities that may affect the horse’s suitability for its intended use.
A PPE is not a guarantee of future soundness, nor a pass or fail assessment. It is a professional evaluation of the horse at a point in time, providing you with the best available information to make an informed purchasing decision.
Why Is a Pre-Purchase Examination Important?
Buying a horse is a significant financial and emotional investment. Horses may appear healthy and sound to the untrained eye while carrying underlying conditions – musculoskeletal, cardiac, respiratory, or ophthalmic – that only become apparent under veterinary examination or imaging.
A PPE helps you to:
– Understand the horse’s current health status and any known conditions
– Identify findings that may affect performance or longevity in your intended discipline
– Make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase, negotiate on price, or request further investigation
– Have a documented baseline of the horse’s health at the time of purchase
2 STAGE OR 5 STAGE? – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The scope of a PPE is tailored to the horse’s intended use and the buyer’s budget. We discuss this with you prior to examination so the assessment reflects your needs. The stages are explained below:
1. History and Documentation Review
We review the horse’s stable record, vaccination and worming history, and any available veterinary records. This provides important background on previous illnesses, injuries, and treatments.
2. Resting Physical Examination
A full head-to-tail clinical examination is performed at rest. This includes assessment of:
– Body condition, conformation, and symmetry
– Eyes (for cataracts, corneal abnormalities, and uveitis)
– Heart and lungs (for murmurs, arrhythmias, and respiratory abnormalities)
– Skin, coat, lymph nodes, and dental health
– Musculoskeletal palpation of all four limbs, joints, tendons, and ligaments
3. Movement Assessment
The horse is assessed at walk and trot on a straight line on both hard and soft surfaces, and in circles on a lunge. We evaluate:
– Gait symmetry and regularity
– Any signs of lameness (which is the most common prejudicial finding identified at PPE)
– Neurological signs
4. Flexion Tests
Each limb is held in flexion for a period before the horse is trotted away, which temporarily increases pressure in the joints and soft tissues. A positive flexion test may indicate underlying joint or soft tissue discomfort. It is important to understand that flexion tests have inherent variability and must be interpreted in context — a mild positive response is not always clinically significant.
5. Ridden or Exercised Assessment
Where appropriate, the horse is assessed under saddle or at exercise to evaluate performance-related soundness and respiratory function during work.
Additional Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the horse’s intended use, purchase price, and any findings on the basic examination, we may recommend additional diagnostics. These are discussed with you and performed with your consent. Common additions include:
Radiography (X-rays)
X-rays are one of the most commonly performed additional tests and provide important information about joint health, bone structure, and the presence of conditions such as navicular disease, osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis (OCD), and bony changes in the feet and lower limbs. It is important to note that significant variability exists in the interpretation of radiographic findings between veterinarians, and some radiographic abnormalities are incidental findings that carry no clinical significance for a particular horse’s intended use.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound allows detailed assessment of tendons, ligaments, and joint structures that cannot be evaluated on X-ray. It is particularly valuable for evaluating the suspensory ligaments, flexor tendons, and fetlock region. Research has shown that subclinical ultrasonographic abnormalities in the suspensory ligament branches are common even in elite, sound performance horses and require careful interpretation rather than automatic disqualification.
What a PPE Can and Cannot Tell You
A PPE can:
– Identify existing conditions, abnormalities, and signs of disease at the time of examination
– Assess current soundness under the conditions of the examination
– Provide professional opinion on whether findings are likely to affect the horse’s suitability for its intended purpose
– Offer a documented baseline for future comparison
A PPE cannot:
– Predict the future – a horse assessed as sound today may develop lameness or illness after purchase
– Detect every condition – some pathology is not visible on standard clinical or radiographic examination without advanced imaging (such as MRI or CT)
– Guarantee performance – soundness on examination does not guarantee a horse will reach or maintain a particular level of work
– Pass or fail a horse – the PPE provides information; the purchase decision remains entirely yours
It is the buyer’s responsibility to determine whether the findings are acceptable for the horse’s intended purpose.
Understanding the Report
Following the examination, you will receive a written report documenting all findings. This report is produced for you as the client. Key points to understand:
– Findings are described objectively; your veterinarian will discuss what each finding means in the context of the horse’s intended use
– The report may include a veterinary opinion on suitability, but this is advisory — the purchase decision is yours
– Some findings may prompt a recommendation for further investigation before a final decision is made
– All examination agreements should ideally be made in writing prior to the PPE, including clarity on who the examining veterinarian is acting for (the buyer)
Choosing the Right Level of Examination
Not every horse requires the same level of examination. We will guide you based on:
– Intended use: A competition sport horse requires a more comprehensive examination than a companion horse
– Purchase price: Higher-value horses generally warrant more extensive diagnostics
– Age: Older horses may benefit from additional joint imaging; young horses may be assessed for developmental conditions such as OCD
– History: Any prior known injuries, treatments, or performance issues will influence what additional testing is appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does the examining veterinarian work for?
We act exclusively on your behalf as the buyer. Our obligation is to provide you with an objective, honest assessment to support your decision.
Can I use the seller’s regular vet?
Yes, but where possible using an independent vet is advisable to avoid conflicts of interest.
In the case where the attending vet is the regular vet for the horse, the owner (seller) signs a waiver to disclose any history to the buyer.
Should I be present at the examination?
Yes, where possible. Being present allows you to ask questions in real time and to observe the horse’s responses during examination.
What if findings are identified?
This is common, particularly in older or harder-worked horses. Not all findings are significant for every intended use. Your veterinarian will explain what each finding means in context, and you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed, negotiate, or request further investigation.
Can I insure a horse that had findings on its PPE?
This depends on the insurer and the nature of the finding. Some conditions may be excluded from cover. We recommend contacting your insurer before finalising the purchase if significant findings are identified.