Q: What if there's a small problem, such as a slight lameness?
A: It depends. A slight, almost imperceptible lameness - for example, the sort that might be revealed only after several minutes of trotting in a small circle - might be acceptable if you were buying an experienced, 15-year-old horse to carry you gently down the trail. But any lameness in a 4-year-old is cause for concern.
Q: What other kinds of tests are there?
A: Your veterinarian will likely draw blood and store it for later testing. If your vet and you are concerned about particular illnesses (or the presence of specific drugs), you can arrange for specific blood tests.
X-rays can reveal bone condition, but they don't tell the whole story. Some sound, comfortable horses take "bad" X-rays, while some unsound, uncomfortable horses take surprisingly clean X-rays.
Not every physical imperfection is an unsoundness; wind puffs, for example, are considered a blemish. A horse that's been injured might have a scar, but no residual lameness. Not every conformation flaw is a deal-breaker, either.
Q: Will my veterinarian tell me whether the horse passed or failed?
A: There's no official "pass" or "fail" on a prepurchase exam; your vet won't tell you to buy the horse or walk away. The question you're asking your vet isn't, "Should I buy this horse?" but, "What can you tell me about this horse's health and condition today, and does he appear capable of doing the things that I want him to do?"
Your vet is the expert in horse health, structure, and movement; his or her job is to identify any existing problems and give you an informed opinion about any problems the horse may be likely to develop later. The final decision, though, is all yours. The information provided by the prepurchase exam should help you make a sensible, informed decision about whether or not this is the horse for you.
Q: Why do people sometimes complain about prepurchase exams?
A: The two common complaints about prepurchase exams are: "I can't believe the vet didn't check X or Y or Z!" and "I can't believe how many expensive tests the vet did!" You can avoid both of these problems by communicating clearly with your veterinarian about what you want and what you're willing to pay.
To get the most from a prepurchase exam, discuss it with your vet when you make the appointment. You and your vet may have different ideas about what the exam should include. If you know which tests you want to schedule, list them. If this is all new to you, or if you're unsure about which tests would be best, ask your vet which tests would be most useful and informative, what will be involved, and how much they'll cost.
Q: So, just how much does a prepurchase exam cost?
A: It depends on the number and types of tests involved. If you want a horse for light, quiet riding, you won't need extensive tests designed to reveal subtle lameness or the potential for lameness in long-distance riding over rugged terrain. Because your needs are modest, those prepurchase exams wouldn't lengthy or expensive.
However, if you want a horse to compete with, you'll need to schedule a lengthier and more detailed prepurchase exam. You'll need to determine whether the horse is healthy, sound and suitable for what you plan to do.
Three factors influence the cost of a prepurchase exam: (1) your location; (2) the prospect's selling price; and (3) the depth and complexity of the exam itself. You might pay $120, $1,200, anywhere in between, or possibly more.
You can safely assume that a quick once-over during which the only tools used by your veterinarian vet are eyes, hands, stethoscope and hoof-testers will cost considerably less than a long, extensive exam that also involves X-rays, an endoscope, various drug tests and an ultrasound exam. Some test results might indicate a need for more elaborate tests, so be prepared.
When you schedule a prepurchase exam, ask your vet he or she recommends and what each one will cost. You and your vet should be on the same page regarding the type and extent of tests to be performed. Don't guess or rely on your assumptions; your vet's idea of a thorough prepurchase exam may be very different from your own.
If your vet fails to perform certain tests that you wanted but didn't request, you'll be unhappy, and the same will be true if your vet performs expensive tests that you didn't know about in advance.
Q: If I don't buy the horse, that's all wasted money, right?
A: Not at all. If you spend several hundred dollars to discover that a horse isn't suitable, the prepurchase exam will have served you well. Investing in a prepurchase exam is like paying your mechanic for a buyer's check on a used truck; if you learn that the frame is bent and the axles are cracked, or, in your case, that the horse's legs are unlikely to stand up to your demands, you'll be glad you got that information before closing the deal.
