A prepurchase or prelease examination is an examination that is completed to assess the risk management associated with your potential new horse, educate you as the buyer, and to provide you with a baseline on that particular day. This is an exciting and nerve racking time for the buyer and the seller and we are happy to help you during this time. The exam that we provide at South Mountain Equine typically includes a passive examination followed by an active examination.
We do a prepurchase examination because we know that no horse is perfect and that a prepurchase examination is a wise financial decision. As a veterinarian, we do not typically “pass” or “fail” a horse at the end of the examination. Our goal is to use all of the resources in our toolkit to evaluate your potential equine partner. A passive examination will include an extensive physical examination (temperature, pulse, respiration, feet, limbs, eyes, ears, mouth) incorporating chiropractic and acupuncture. The active examination will then include extensive flexions at the straight line trot, possibly lunging and possibly watching the horse move under saddle. This part of the exam oftentimes is where the rubber meets the road. Being thorough is important during this exciting and nerve racking time. A typical prepurchase examination may take 2-3 hours depending on the diagnostics chosen (radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, bloodwork). The more we know the more questions and answers it will provide. However, we do not always believe that more tests are better and so the exam helps us understand the horse.
We strive to inform you of the maintenance that may be required or the concerns that we have with your horse if you elect to purchase the animal. We prefer to communicate with you prior to the examination to understand your desires for the future and your concerns of the horse. Please feel free to call us with any questions.
A prepurchase or prelease examination is an examination that is completed to assess the risk management associated with your potential new horse, educate you as the buyer, and to provide you with a baseline on that particular day. This is an exciting and nerve racking time for the buyer and the seller and we are happy to help you during this time. The exam that we provide at South Mountain Equine typically includes a passive examination followed by an active examination.
We do a prepurchase examination because we know that no horse is perfect and that a prepurchase examination is a wise financial decision. As a veterinarian, we do not typically “pass” or “fail” a horse at the end of the examination. Our goal is to use all of the resources in our toolkit to evaluate your potential equine partner. A passive examination will include an extensive physical examination (temperature, pulse, respiration, feet, limbs, eyes, ears, mouth) incorporating chiropractic and acupuncture. The active examination will then include extensive flexions at the straight line trot, possibly lunging and possibly watching the horse move under saddle. This part of the exam oftentimes is where the rubber meets the road. Being thorough is important during this exciting and nerve racking time. A typical prepurchase examination may take 2-3 hours depending on the diagnostics chosen (radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, bloodwork). The more we know the more questions and answers it will provide. However, we do not always believe that more tests are better and so the exam helps us understand the horse.
We strive to inform you of the maintenance that may be required or the concerns that we have with your horse if you elect to purchase the animal. We prefer to communicate with you prior to the examination to understand your desires for the future and your concerns of the horse. Please feel free to call us with any questions.
How to prepare for a Prepurchase Exam!
- Trim feet 1-2 weeks prior to examination
- Day of: Groom horse – Remove dirt from feet
- Collect all medical record history to provide the veterinarian (immunizations, coggins, blood work, dental exams, fecal exams).
- Complete Prepurchase paperwork and return to the veterinarian before the scheduled exam.