Navigating the Pre-Purchase Exam

Navigating the Pre-Purchase Veterinary Exam 

By Steve Wolgemuth

Notice:  This article has been published for information purposes only.  Author strongly advises reader to seek out expert advice for their particular situation. 

By the time most serious dressage riders find the next "horse of their dreams" they've typically invested quite a bit of time, money and emotional energy.

You need a positive plan and realistic expectations.  

You’ve found what could be your next dressage horse but before you write that check, conventional wisdom tells you to have a pre-purchase veterinary exam.  This part of the buying process might be an emotionally unpleasant and disappointing experience unless you have a positive plan and realistic expectations.  You may be shocked to hear the high percentage of sales that buyers back out of during the pre-purchase process – following these cases often proves the veterinarian's caution or the buyer's concern to be exaggerated as the horse in question goes on to lead a competitive career in dressage.    Turning your back on what could be the best ride of your life because of issues of concern that turn up at the vetting MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST. The purpose of this article is to give you a leg up on navigating the pre-purchase exam so you can make a wise choice.

You are probably going to be working with a veterinarian that you don't know.

Most of the time buyers find horses that are geographically distant from their own veterinarian.  You are probably going to be faced with finding a veterinarian in a geographic proximity of the horse - and chances are you won't know this veterinarian.  This can make the situation even more complicated.  Is the veterinarian you choose as thorough as you would like?  If there is something wrong with the horse, will they find it?

Should I use the seller's veterinarian or choose another one?

The subject that often comes up is, "should I use the seller's veterinarian or should I find one on my own that is NOT the seller's normal veterinarian?"  The old school of thought was to NEVER use the seller's veterinarian because of their alleged conflict of interest.  In other words, they may be tempted to slant their exam in the favor of the seller rather than to protect you, the buyer.  
    

In my experience, there has been a lot of change in that attitude especially among professionals.  Especially in the United States, fear of liability has caused veterinarians to be extremely cautious - ESPECIALLY if they are evaluating a horse that belongs to a regular client.  There is no absolute answer to the question about which veterinarian to use and there are good arguments for both sides.  

Two Points of View

Use the Seller's Veterinarian

• He or she knows about the horse's prior health history.
• If it's the choice of the owner, chances are its one of the better equine vets in the area. 
• If it's the seller's vet, chances are he/she is used to working on sport horses.

Note: Conflict of interest is a non issue because veterinarians are professional enough to understand their obligation to you and their danger of liability.

Use an Independent Veterinarian

• He or she will likely have a more objective point of view.
• He/she won't be tempted to "help" the sale in any way.
• It will be clearer that the veterinarian is working for you the buyer.
• The veterinarian will be looking at the horse with a fresh perspective.