Very Common
Related Observations
Your vet might choose this diagnostic test if you were making these observations.
Diagnostic
Tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what is wrong with your horse, in order to reach a diagnosis.
Cost: $500 to $1,000
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
YOUR VET MAY PERFORM
Purchase or Pre-Purchase Exam
Cost: $500 to $1,000
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
Summary
The veterinary pre-purchase exam is a comprehensive veterinary evaluation of a horse prior to purchase. It is performed by a veterinarian on behalf of the prospective buyer, not on behalf of the seller.
It is a mistake to buy even an inexpensive horse without having a pre-purchase examination conducted by a veterinarian. The purchase price is a small part of the overall expense of owning a horse.
Please see the linked Topic and Outside Resources for a more detailed description of this important examination.
It is a mistake to buy even an inexpensive horse without having a pre-purchase examination conducted by a veterinarian. The purchase price is a small part of the overall expense of owning a horse.
Please see the linked Topic and Outside Resources for a more detailed description of this important examination.
Why A Vet Chooses This Diagnostic
Related Diagnostics
Other diagnostic tests that might be used in combination or with this one or instead of this one.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
This test could rule out or confirm any of the following diagnoses.
Very Common
Less Common
BENEFITS
A veterinarian can provide a detailed look at a horse's overall health and soundness and drastically reduce the risk of a buyer purchasing a horse with a health problem. For that reason, a PPE is recommended every time a horse is purchased. LIMITATIONS
There is no way to accurately predict a horse's future soundness, or the course that a condition will take.
Radiographic changes can be condemning to the purchase but do not always correlate to lameness.
There is no such thing as a perfect horse. Almost every horse has some issues that will be discovered on the exam.
your role
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What is the base cost of the examination?
- What does the basic examination include?
- Are you familiar enough with this horse's breed and discipline to be able to perform the exam with confidence?
- Are radiographs included in the basic PPE?
- If radiographs are included, which ones?
- Which radiographs do you recommend, given my situation?
- Do you have a conflict of interest, i.e. do you work for the seller?
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET