Do I Need a Pre-Purchase Exam?

        At one point or another it sneaks up on all of us…horse buying fever. It might happen when you see a horse offered for sale on Facebook, or note a horse you’ve always admired listed in a sale catalog, or it might afflict you when you’re sitting at the Congress Super Sale and notice your bidding arm is getting restless. It’s exciting to buy a new horse…you imagine all the shows you’ll attend, the points you’ll pick up, and you might even imagine yourself holding up the Don Bell bronze. It’s a time to enjoy the moment. Unfortunately, all too many times those emotions run right over our brains and cause us to forget, or just ignore, all the trouble that can come from buying the wrong horse. All too quickly the money you had saved for show season, can be drained by X-rays and surgeries.
            There are numerous ways you can help protect yourself from this nightmare, if you think logically and don’t let thrill and excitement run away with you. It’s easy when you know there are others interested in the same horse, to want to be the first to sign the check, but don’t do so without doing some homework. One way you can help ensure you’re making a good investment is to have a pre-purchase examination performed by your veterinarian.
            Many folks are scared off by these exams, afraid they’ll miss an opportunity to buy if they wait to have one performed, or afraid because of the expense involved. However, many veterinarians will tailor the exam to your needs and budget. A pre-purchase exam can cover breeding soundness, gait evaluation, drug testing, x-rays, and even testing for lung function.
            A pre-purchase exam is not a pass/fail test, it’s a tool to help you make an informed decision and know what may be down the road for a certain horse. The vet will let you know of any concerns regarding the visual exam and testing, and you can make your own decision as to the risks of the purchase. In the unfortunate case that your equine dream turns into a nightmare, it may also give another avenue for legal recourse.
            While it may seem there are certainly already enough costs involved in purchasing a horse , it’s important to remember that a small amount of money spent now may save you a considerable amount of money, time, and tears down the road.