GEORGIAN BAY EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES
Pre-Purchase Exam
The pre-purchase examination is a key step in making the decision to buy a horse. We perform these “vettings” to assess the suitability and soundness of an individual horse for its intended use.These examination are performed on all types of horses and for a wide variety of uses, including performance disciplines, pleasure activities and breeding.
A typical exam includes:
Thorough physical exam, including listening to heart and lungs, oral exam to assess teeth, dermatologic exam to assess skin, and overall health of the horse
Ophthalmic exam to look for any pre-existing conditions or disease
Examination of legs and feet, palpation, hoof testers, manipulation, palpation of neck and back
Soundness examination of the horse, typically walk and trot in hand and observe at all gaits on a lunge line.
Flexion Tests to help stress certain joints
Additional diagnostics may be requested or recommended, such as digital x-rays, bloodwork, ultrasound or endoscopy
We routinely perform examinations for horses in many different disciplines, such as hunter/jumper, dressage, eventing, Western performance, and pleasure horses. We are able to share information digitally and communicate remotely with buyers who may not be able to attend, as well as consult with your home veterinarian.
A thorough report is prepared based on the examination as well interpretation of any imaging performed.
It is important to understand that a pre-purchase examination is done on a horse for a specific purpose and for a specific client and that a horse which suits one client may not suit another. A pre-purchase examination is an assessment of a horse at a point in time and is designed to identify existing medical or physical conditions and an understanding of how they might impact on the horse’s suitability for the intended use. It is not a guarantee or a warranty that the horse will not have problems in the future.