♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
The pre-purchase exam is an important step in buying a horse.
By Jayne Pedigo
Why bother with a pre-purchase exam?
Having done your shopping around and selected a suitable horse or pony, the next step is to have it examined by your veterinarian. Why bother with the extra expense? Well, no matter how experienced a horse person you are, there are several problems that your prospective new horse may be harboring that are not immediately apparent just from your own careful observations. I speak from experience.
When I got my first horse, I foolishly neglected to have her checked over by my vet first. I considered that my long experience with horses would be enough to help me select a healthy animal that would be capable of doing what I wanted it to do, which was dressage and a little combined training. Well, I was wrong.
I found out, within a few months of purchasing my mare, that she had side-bones, which is a calcification of the cartiledges in the hoof. It causes chronic lameness and meant that she had to be kept on pain medication and also required the extra expense of special shoeing.
The vet who diagnosed the side-bone took x-rays of her two front hooves and the evidence showed that she had had them for a long time, the calcification, which takes place over time, was almost complete. A pre-purchase exam would have brought the problem to light before I bought her and I would have been able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead and buy her.
What if the horse is being sold with a Vet's Certificate?
You may find that the seller of the horse you are interested in has had the horse examined by their own vet and offers a certificate of soundness. While it is commendable that the seller went to the trouble and expense of having their horse checked over, I would still advise having your own vet check the horse over. It is always better to have an impartial opinion.
So what is involved in a pre-purchase exam?
Your veterinarian will do a top to tail examination of the horse and looking at such things as general fitness (making sure that pulse and respiration are within the normal limits before and after exercise), and soundness. He will have the horse trotted up and down on a hard surface and will look for regularity of gait and straightness of movement. If he thinks it necessary, he may perform flexion tests or take x-rays.
What will I get out of the pre-purchase exam?
Generally, a pre-purchase exam will provide you with the information you need to decide whether or not you want to buy the horse. Your veterinarian will tell you everything he found, good or bad. If you have told him what you intend to use the horse for (and this is always a good idea), he will be able to give his opinion as to whether or not the horse would be suitable for that. For instance, a horse that has a soundness problem may not be suitable if you are looking for a competition Hunter, Barrel Racer or Eventer. But that same horse may be the perfect horse for you if all you want is a horse you can enjoy on the trails.
In the end, the final decision is up to you. You have to decide what faults you can live with and which are unacceptable. There is no such thing as the perfect horse, but some certainly can come close to being perfect for you.
Finding the Right Horse For You
Before buying your first horse or pony it is important to consider what type is right for you.
In a previous article we looked at the different types of boarding facilities available for your horse. It is important to have the accomodations arranged before bringing your horse home! Now it is time to decide what type of horse or pony you want to buy.
Horse or Pony?
The first consideration when buying a horse or pony is you. Your size, age and experience all come into play. Generally speaking, children are better suited to ponies and adults to horses. This is not set in stone however. A lightweight adult may feel more comfortable on a large pony, something around 14.2 hh. Likewise, a tall teenager may be better off with a small horse, something around 15.2 hh. The size is important because how you sit and feel on the horse affects your performance and ability to ride effectively.
Schoolmaster or Green Youngster?
Whether you buy a green youngster or an experienced "schoolmaster" type also depends on you. If you are a novice rider, you will get a lot more enjoyment from a horse that already knows the ropes, whether you want to trail ride, run barrels, learn to jump or do a little elementary dressage. Things will be easier and more satisfying for you if your horse already has an education in your chosen field.
Experienced equestrians, on the other hand, will derive great satisfaction from schooling and teaching a green youngster. Winning that first ribbon in the first show is very pleasing when you know that you have taught your horse everything it took to win that ribbon.
article continues below
If you want to compete right away it would be appropriate to look for a horse that is already showing in the type of competition you want to enter.
Does breed make a difference?
While some breeds are bred for a specific job, most horses are adaptable and will be capable of doing whatever you want. Some will just be better suited to some things than others. For instance, Tennessee Walkers excel at walking. I know, it sounds obvious, but if you are looking for a super comfortable horse who can walk for ever and not tire either himself or you, the Tennessee Walkermay be the horse for you. They are good on trails and exceptional in the show ring.
But if you want to gallop and jump across country or cut cattle then you would do better to choose something else. The English native pony breeds are very versatile, able to turn a hoof, so to speak, to almost anything from Pony Club games to dressage, jumping, hunting and hacking or trail riding. American Quarter horses are also very versatile. Their activities range from working cattle, barrel racing and reining to hunter competition, dressage and combined training.
Of course, there are many different breeds of horse. Some are universally known, such as the Arabian and the Thoroughbred. Some are more specific to a certain area of the world, such as the Connemara or the Australian Waler. Having said that, in recent years, the export of stallions from their native countries has meant that many breeds have become global with enthusiastic followers all over the world.
So where will I find him?
The search for the perfect horse can be a long and arduous one. Once you have decided what type of horse or pony you want to buy, there are several different approaches you can take.
You may be in the market for a competition horse. If so, visiting the shows and the show bars will be the best way to see your prospective horse in action. Quite often there will be an annotation in the prize list (show schedule in Engand) that a certain horse is for sale. Or perhaps your instructor or trainer will know of a suitable horse.
Another place to look is the barn or riding stable that you ride at regularly. Discussions with the Barn Manager or instructor will let you know which horses may be for sale.
On the high market end, there are many Horse Brokers who will, for a fee, find you exactly what you are looking for. Their reputation depends on your being happy with the horse they procure for you.
If you are looking for a specific breed, the breed Association will be able to put you in touch with breeders or owners in your area who may have horses for sale.
And, of course, you should not overlook the many thousands of horses who are advertised for sale in newspapers and horse publications or who are sold at auctions. This can be more time consuming than having someone point you right at the perfect horse for you, but many great horses are sold this way.
It may be necessary for you to make many phone calls and look at many horses before you find the right match, but in the end, hopefully, you will find a suitable horse and will be able to move on to the next step towards horse-ownership.
Why bother with a pre-purchase exam?
Having done your shopping around and selected a suitable horse or pony, the next step is to have it examined by your veterinarian. Why bother with the extra expense? Well, no matter how experienced a horse person you are, there are several problems that your prospective new horse may be harboring that are not immediately apparent just from your own careful observations. I speak from experience.
When I got my first horse, I foolishly neglected to have her checked over by my vet first. I considered that my long experience with horses would be enough to help me select a healthy animal that would be capable of doing what I wanted it to do, which was dressage and a little combined training. Well, I was wrong.
I found out, within a few months of purchasing my mare, that she had side-bones, which is a calcification of the cartiledges in the hoof. It causes chronic lameness and meant that she had to be kept on pain medication and also required the extra expense of special shoeing.
The vet who diagnosed the side-bone took x-rays of her two front hooves and the evidence showed that she had had them for a long time, the calcification, which takes place over time, was almost complete. A pre-purchase exam would have brought the problem to light before I bought her and I would have been able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead and buy her.
What if the horse is being sold with a Vet's Certificate?
You may find that the seller of the horse you are interested in has had the horse examined by their own vet and offers a certificate of soundness. While it is commendable that the seller went to the trouble and expense of having their horse checked over, I would still advise having your own vet check the horse over. It is always better to have an impartial opinion.
So what is involved in a pre-purchase exam?
Your veterinarian will do a top to tail examination of the horse and looking at such things as general fitness (making sure that pulse and respiration are within the normal limits before and after exercise), and soundness. He will have the horse trotted up and down on a hard surface and will look for regularity of gait and straightness of movement. If he thinks it necessary, he may perform flexion tests or take x-rays.
What will I get out of the pre-purchase exam?
Generally, a pre-purchase exam will provide you with the information you need to decide whether or not you want to buy the horse. Your veterinarian will tell you everything he found, good or bad. If you have told him what you intend to use the horse for (and this is always a good idea), he will be able to give his opinion as to whether or not the horse would be suitable for that. For instance, a horse that has a soundness problem may not be suitable if you are looking for a competition Hunter, Barrel Racer or Eventer. But that same horse may be the perfect horse for you if all you want is a horse you can enjoy on the trails.
In the end, the final decision is up to you. You have to decide what faults you can live with and which are unacceptable. There is no such thing as the perfect horse, but some certainly can come close to being perfect for you.
By Jayne Pedigo
Why bother with a pre-purchase exam?
Having done your shopping around and selected a suitable horse or pony, the next step is to have it examined by your veterinarian. Why bother with the extra expense? Well, no matter how experienced a horse person you are, there are several problems that your prospective new horse may be harboring that are not immediately apparent just from your own careful observations. I speak from experience.
When I got my first horse, I foolishly neglected to have her checked over by my vet first. I considered that my long experience with horses would be enough to help me select a healthy animal that would be capable of doing what I wanted it to do, which was dressage and a little combined training. Well, I was wrong.
I found out, within a few months of purchasing my mare, that she had side-bones, which is a calcification of the cartiledges in the hoof. It causes chronic lameness and meant that she had to be kept on pain medication and also required the extra expense of special shoeing.
The vet who diagnosed the side-bone took x-rays of her two front hooves and the evidence showed that she had had them for a long time, the calcification, which takes place over time, was almost complete. A pre-purchase exam would have brought the problem to light before I bought her and I would have been able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead and buy her.
What if the horse is being sold with a Vet's Certificate?
You may find that the seller of the horse you are interested in has had the horse examined by their own vet and offers a certificate of soundness. While it is commendable that the seller went to the trouble and expense of having their horse checked over, I would still advise having your own vet check the horse over. It is always better to have an impartial opinion.
So what is involved in a pre-purchase exam?
Your veterinarian will do a top to tail examination of the horse and looking at such things as general fitness (making sure that pulse and respiration are within the normal limits before and after exercise), and soundness. He will have the horse trotted up and down on a hard surface and will look for regularity of gait and straightness of movement. If he thinks it necessary, he may perform flexion tests or take x-rays.
What will I get out of the pre-purchase exam?
Generally, a pre-purchase exam will provide you with the information you need to decide whether or not you want to buy the horse. Your veterinarian will tell you everything he found, good or bad. If you have told him what you intend to use the horse for (and this is always a good idea), he will be able to give his opinion as to whether or not the horse would be suitable for that. For instance, a horse that has a soundness problem may not be suitable if you are looking for a competition Hunter, Barrel Racer or Eventer. But that same horse may be the perfect horse for you if all you want is a horse you can enjoy on the trails.
In the end, the final decision is up to you. You have to decide what faults you can live with and which are unacceptable. There is no such thing as the perfect horse, but some certainly can come close to being perfect for you.
Finding the Right Horse For You
Before buying your first horse or pony it is important to consider what type is right for you.
In a previous article we looked at the different types of boarding facilities available for your horse. It is important to have the accomodations arranged before bringing your horse home! Now it is time to decide what type of horse or pony you want to buy.
Horse or Pony?
The first consideration when buying a horse or pony is you. Your size, age and experience all come into play. Generally speaking, children are better suited to ponies and adults to horses. This is not set in stone however. A lightweight adult may feel more comfortable on a large pony, something around 14.2 hh. Likewise, a tall teenager may be better off with a small horse, something around 15.2 hh. The size is important because how you sit and feel on the horse affects your performance and ability to ride effectively.
Schoolmaster or Green Youngster?
Whether you buy a green youngster or an experienced "schoolmaster" type also depends on you. If you are a novice rider, you will get a lot more enjoyment from a horse that already knows the ropes, whether you want to trail ride, run barrels, learn to jump or do a little elementary dressage. Things will be easier and more satisfying for you if your horse already has an education in your chosen field.
Experienced equestrians, on the other hand, will derive great satisfaction from schooling and teaching a green youngster. Winning that first ribbon in the first show is very pleasing when you know that you have taught your horse everything it took to win that ribbon.
article continues below
If you want to compete right away it would be appropriate to look for a horse that is already showing in the type of competition you want to enter.
Does breed make a difference?
While some breeds are bred for a specific job, most horses are adaptable and will be capable of doing whatever you want. Some will just be better suited to some things than others. For instance, Tennessee Walkers excel at walking. I know, it sounds obvious, but if you are looking for a super comfortable horse who can walk for ever and not tire either himself or you, the Tennessee Walkermay be the horse for you. They are good on trails and exceptional in the show ring.
But if you want to gallop and jump across country or cut cattle then you would do better to choose something else. The English native pony breeds are very versatile, able to turn a hoof, so to speak, to almost anything from Pony Club games to dressage, jumping, hunting and hacking or trail riding. American Quarter horses are also very versatile. Their activities range from working cattle, barrel racing and reining to hunter competition, dressage and combined training.
Of course, there are many different breeds of horse. Some are universally known, such as the Arabian and the Thoroughbred. Some are more specific to a certain area of the world, such as the Connemara or the Australian Waler. Having said that, in recent years, the export of stallions from their native countries has meant that many breeds have become global with enthusiastic followers all over the world.
So where will I find him?
The search for the perfect horse can be a long and arduous one. Once you have decided what type of horse or pony you want to buy, there are several different approaches you can take.
You may be in the market for a competition horse. If so, visiting the shows and the show bars will be the best way to see your prospective horse in action. Quite often there will be an annotation in the prize list (show schedule in Engand) that a certain horse is for sale. Or perhaps your instructor or trainer will know of a suitable horse.
Another place to look is the barn or riding stable that you ride at regularly. Discussions with the Barn Manager or instructor will let you know which horses may be for sale.
On the high market end, there are many Horse Brokers who will, for a fee, find you exactly what you are looking for. Their reputation depends on your being happy with the horse they procure for you.
If you are looking for a specific breed, the breed Association will be able to put you in touch with breeders or owners in your area who may have horses for sale.
And, of course, you should not overlook the many thousands of horses who are advertised for sale in newspapers and horse publications or who are sold at auctions. This can be more time consuming than having someone point you right at the perfect horse for you, but many great horses are sold this way.
It may be necessary for you to make many phone calls and look at many horses before you find the right match, but in the end, hopefully, you will find a suitable horse and will be able to move on to the next step towards horse-ownership.
Why bother with a pre-purchase exam?
Having done your shopping around and selected a suitable horse or pony, the next step is to have it examined by your veterinarian. Why bother with the extra expense? Well, no matter how experienced a horse person you are, there are several problems that your prospective new horse may be harboring that are not immediately apparent just from your own careful observations. I speak from experience.
When I got my first horse, I foolishly neglected to have her checked over by my vet first. I considered that my long experience with horses would be enough to help me select a healthy animal that would be capable of doing what I wanted it to do, which was dressage and a little combined training. Well, I was wrong.
I found out, within a few months of purchasing my mare, that she had side-bones, which is a calcification of the cartiledges in the hoof. It causes chronic lameness and meant that she had to be kept on pain medication and also required the extra expense of special shoeing.
The vet who diagnosed the side-bone took x-rays of her two front hooves and the evidence showed that she had had them for a long time, the calcification, which takes place over time, was almost complete. A pre-purchase exam would have brought the problem to light before I bought her and I would have been able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead and buy her.
What if the horse is being sold with a Vet's Certificate?
You may find that the seller of the horse you are interested in has had the horse examined by their own vet and offers a certificate of soundness. While it is commendable that the seller went to the trouble and expense of having their horse checked over, I would still advise having your own vet check the horse over. It is always better to have an impartial opinion.
So what is involved in a pre-purchase exam?
Your veterinarian will do a top to tail examination of the horse and looking at such things as general fitness (making sure that pulse and respiration are within the normal limits before and after exercise), and soundness. He will have the horse trotted up and down on a hard surface and will look for regularity of gait and straightness of movement. If he thinks it necessary, he may perform flexion tests or take x-rays.
What will I get out of the pre-purchase exam?
Generally, a pre-purchase exam will provide you with the information you need to decide whether or not you want to buy the horse. Your veterinarian will tell you everything he found, good or bad. If you have told him what you intend to use the horse for (and this is always a good idea), he will be able to give his opinion as to whether or not the horse would be suitable for that. For instance, a horse that has a soundness problem may not be suitable if you are looking for a competition Hunter, Barrel Racer or Eventer. But that same horse may be the perfect horse for you if all you want is a horse you can enjoy on the trails.
In the end, the final decision is up to you. You have to decide what faults you can live with and which are unacceptable. There is no such thing as the perfect horse, but some certainly can come close to being perfect for you.