When buying a horse, it is a good idea to do a pre-purchase exam first. Besides the fact that it helps your own piece of mind, many insurance companies require a pre-purchase exam to help determine the overall condition and value of the horse. Today, we would like to share a few tips with you on how to safeguard your pre-purchase exam. Sometimes, with all things, politics can be involved and you want to make sure you are getting the most accurate exam possible.
photo used from wallerequine.com
PRE-PURCHASE EXAMS
While a pre-purchase exam should be only about the health and soundness of a horse and its suitability for the use intended, be aware that these exams can have an element of politics to them, and they can be important politics. Here are some guidelines to protect both you and the veterinarian:
Do not have the horse vetted by the farm's or owner's veterinarian. This lets the vet off the hook if he feels in some way beholden to the farm or the owner. This also protects the veterinarian from charges of collusion if any allegations are later made regarding a condition that may not have been revealed during the pre-purchase exam. In addition, it also protects you against any form of inappropriate influence upon the veterinarian.
Veterinarians are held to high ethical standards by the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners), and even the appearance of unethical behavior can harm a vet, so understand the vet's position, and employ a vet who is not associated with either the farm or the seller.
Some veterinarians will not do a pre-purchase examination. Honor the vet's choice, and find a vet who does lots of pre-purchase exams. Usually veterinarians at the larger referring hospitals will do accurate and well-documented exams, and also have the best equipment for diagnostics.
Don't confuse a veterinary insurance exam with a pre-purchase exam; a pre-purchase exam is much more rigorous. Except in a few cases, we don't require a vet exam for insurance unless the horse is insured for over $100,000, or the owner is applying for Loss of Use coverage as well as mortality and medical/surgical coverage.
Buying an out-of-town horse? Have the examining vet send copies of the horse's x-rays and diagnostic results to your local vet, for a good second opinion. Make sure you get all of the requested views. All of them. Each one.
Pre-purchase exams are not cheap. X-rays from the ground to the knees and hocks can cost hundreds of dollars, but they can really and truly save you many thousands of dollars. Buying a six year old gelding with degenerative arthritis in the hocks when his use is for over fences will definitely end in tears. Pay for the x-rays, and walk away to find another, sounder, horse.
Don't let the purchase price of the horse determine whether or not you get a pre-purchase exam. Do look a gift horse in the mouth; he may need thousands of dollars of dental work, or expensive other maintenance.
Do the pre-purchase, get a horse you love and will love to own and enjoy for many years to come. If you start out on the right foot, your chances for a wonderful experience with your horse increase dramatically. I once paid for pre-purchase exams on 10 horses before I found a truly sound one (for jumping), and I don't regret the expenditure. I just had to save up a few more months to afford the one I finally found.
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