The “vetting” process has evolved over the years, (and will change again slightly in 2004, although most of those changes have already been incorporated into the Practice’s routine), and has developed into a useful and cost effective method of providing the purchaser with sufficient veterinary information so that they may come to an informed decision as to whether or not they will purchase a particular horse for their particular needs.

“Vetting” has entered the English language as a term that implies a thorough examination and assessment, as opposed to “doctoring”!

The purchase of any horse involves the taking of a risk; no horse is risk free and at best as veterinary surgeons, we can aim to identify, assess and quantify the degree of risk to give you as the purchaser the information to decide whether or not to proceed with your chosen purchase.

By the time of the pre purchase examination, all considerations such as colour, height, type and suitability for the task should have already have been decided upon. If in doubt consult your trainer before this stage.

Choose a veterinary surgeon either known to you or recommended to you. As an experienced Practice we are happy to travel far and wide to examine horses on behalf of our clients but if that is not possible, ask your own veterinary surgeon for a recommendation of a vet in the area in which the horse is. Ensure that you talk with the veterinary surgeon to discuss your requirements prior to the examination or, better still, be present at the vetting. Good communication both before and after the vetting is essential

Types of examinations

Full 5-stage Vetting - There is really only one type of pre purchase veterinary examination. All the rest are cheap imitations and you should not and cannot expect get the same opinion for a considerably lower fee. If you wish to be protected when purchasing a horse by obtaining a professional opinion and if you wish to have a certificate that is acceptable to insurance companies then a five stage vetting is the only option.

All other types known as the 2-stage vetting, ‘insurance vetting’, ‘heart, eyes and lungs’, ‘running an eye over’ and a ‘quick vetting’ are cheaper and poorer imitations. Despite ill informed consumer opinion in some of the equestrian press; they do not give you anything like the degree of protection of a full examination.

The five stage vetting has evolved over decades and its aim is to achieve a cost effective professional evaluation and assessment of a particular horse’s suitability to perform a certain task. It is an examination carried out on a given day and the opinion relates to that day; no long term warranty or guarantee of health can be expected.

We no longer classify horses as sound or unsound, nor should we say that a horse has passed or failed a vetting. The opinion given nowadays, sadly enforced upon us by the increasingly litigious nature of society, is that “the defects noted above are/are not likely to prejudice this animal’s use for ………”

Limited 2-stage Vetting – It is possible to ask for a limited 2 stage only examination. In this case you will be required to compete and sign a legal waiver beforehand to show that you understand and accept that such a limited examination will not give you such comprehensive information as a five stage vetting and that some defects may not be discovered.
Do not choose this type of examination if you are short of money and hope to save – you may well end up buying a horse or pony with hidden problems!

The Examination

Unless you are to compromise the opinion, there are basic requirements for the environment in which the full vetting takes place. These are as follows.

1. A dark stable in which to examine the eyes.
2. An area of hard level ground on which the horse may be walked and trotted in hand.
This should preferably be concrete or tarmac.
3. An area in which the horse may be safely ridden, including the ability to do a hard canter or gallop as required.
4. In addition, the ability to lunge or trot on a hard circle will also be of great benefit.

If, the vendor does not have such facilities, consider moving the examination to a different location. There are excellent facilities available at the Liphook Equine Hospital to enable us to carry out comprehensive and fair examinations safely.

The actual examination usually takes place in a set routine individual to each vet but will always include the following stages:

1. Initial examination, starting in a stable – heart and lungs / eyes / head, teeth throat etc. and general assessment of type and condition.

2. Outside in daylight to observe the whole horse when standing square. Then walk and trot in hand in a straight line. Turning and backing. Probably flexion tests. Possibly lunging or trotting in a circle.

3. Examination under saddle. This will include mounting, walking, trotting, cantering and probably galloping depending on the type and fitness of horse. The exercise should be both in circles in both directions and in more extended straight lines.

4. Whilst the horse cools down from exercise a more detailed examination of the hooves, limbs and body, noting and assessing any abnormalities. The formal identification will probably take place now.

5. Once the heart rate has returned to normal the following will be carried out
a) The final trot up which may also include further turning, circling and flexion tests.
b) The taking of a blood sample for medication analysis.

This is all followed by a discussion with the purchaser of the findings of the examination and production of a written report.

Limitations and extra tests

The pre purchase examination is a clinical examination and does not involve laboratory or diagnostic techniques. It does not, unless specifically requested, include any examination for pregnancy.

It is not normal to carry out routine haematological blood testing but if this is required a sample should be taken before, not after exercise.

Blood testing for the presence of medication likely to affect the results of the examination is extremely worthwhile, not only from the vendor but also, indeed, from the purchaser’s point of view. There are recommended methods of taking and storing this sample but if nothing else, it certainly appears to work as a deterrent if the vendor knows that a sample will be taken! The sample is usually taken and stored at the Horseracing Forensic Laboratories in Newmarket, where it can be analysed later if needs be. The reason that it is not routinely analysed is to save both time and money. If you would like it to analysed immediately please discuss this request with the vet.

The ageing of horses by dentition is notoriously inaccurate and research has indicated that previously accepted methods of ageing may be inaccurate even in experienced hands. Thus it should be accepted that it is not possible to accurately age a horse by its dentition. It is vital that if at all possible, documentary evidence of the age be obtained prior to purchase. Be aware that the new Passports will not necessarily contain any truthful information about age, breeding or even identification!

Radiographs are not necessarily the black and white answer that everybody hopes for. They may even complicate rather than clarify an issue. The practice’s opinion is that unless specifically requested by the insurance company or by the purchaser, the decision whether or not to x-ray should be left to the examining vet based on his clinical findings at the time of the examination. Routine pre purchase x-rays are not nearly as helpful as is sometimes expected. Similar arguments may also be made for routine tendon scanning.

Endoscopy of the upper airway may be more useful technique but again it should be discussed prior to the examination so that the purchaser is aware of the limitations.

Warranties

Warranties are a matter between the vendor and the purchaser. Under the Trades Description Act purchasers are advised to obtain a warranty from the vendor stating that the horse is free from vices, allergies etc. A warranty that he is safe to shoe, load and to be ridden in traffic may also be useful.

Exact heights are a matter between vendor and purchaser and are not part of the vetting examination. The only form of certification for exact height measurements is the JMB certificate.

It is worth enquiring about the horse’s previous medical history and also ask for a simple written statement from the vendor to confirm that the horse has not received any medication likely to affect the results of the examination.

The pre purchase veterinary examination is continuing to change and respond to the requirements, not only of the potential purchasers but also of the legal profession. Increasing consumer legislation and the litigious nature of society has unfortunately meant that the opinion is now more likely to be given under legal restraints rather that the old fashioned personal opinion of an experienced vet. Communication is the key between the vet and purchaser so that both sides know the intentions and limitations of the examination.

Client confidentiality

As veterinary surgeons we have a strict duty of care to the client who has instructed us to carry out a vetting. It is quite acceptable to examine a horse that is already known to the practice but, in those cases, all relevant details that we aware of will be disclosed to the purchaser with the agreed consent of the vendor. If such consent is not forthcoming, we will not examine the horse.

Insurance

Do be aware that a vetting is not the same as an insurance examination. It is quite possible to “pass” a vetting yet later find that insurance cover proves difficult because of the findings. This is normal, as the vetting assesses the horse’s suitability for the purchasers intended use while the insurance companies are interested in making exclusions of each and any abnormality.

If in any doubt, obtain insurance cover before you complete the purchase, not afterwards.

Once you have chosen your horse, tell the vendor that you will purchase the horse subject to it being vetted and to being able to obtain satisfactory insurance cover.

c The Liphook Equine Hospital November 2005