When purchasing a horse, certain procedures are necessary to optimize the enjoyment from said purchase. One of the most important steps to follow is that of administering a pre-purchase examination. Choosing the right veterinarian is crucial to performing the pre-purchase exam. Veterinarians play a vital role in pre-purchase exams. To best assess the current and future soundness of a horse, it is imperative that the veterinarian be familiar with the particular breed of horse, prospective use and have a working knowledge of competition rules. According to Dr. Rullan from Performance Equine, veterinarians are to determine the relative soundness of the horse; they are really assessing the health status of the horse together with medical abnormalities. This being said, veterinarians are expected to explain and record any medical abnormalities or concerns revealed while performing the exam.
Upon completion of the pre-purchase exam, the veterinarian may utilize a variety of terms to describe the current health status of a horse. The ultimate goal for horse buyers is to purchase a horse classified as sound, or one that cannot be faulted in any physical way, from the inside out. A horse may be categorized as serviceably sound
if it has some structural problems, but is able to perform its intended purpose. If a veterinarian deems a horse unfit for its intended use, the horse will most likely be considered unsound. Unsoundness usually refers to any condition which will severely inhibit the horse from performing. Examples of unsoundness include dental diseases, blindness or other eye problems, founder and tumors.To better understand the procedure of a pre-purchase exam, it is important to understand the phases of the exam. The first part of the exam involves thorough identification of the horse. This includes documentation of color, age and any distinguishing characteristics/scars/brands/tattoos the horse may have. Vital signs of the horse will also be assessed along with an examination of the horse eyes, teeth and manure. A urine sample is usually required of competition horses to ensure the absence of performance-altering medications. According to Dr. Rullan, The date, time and place of the examination should also be recorded.The second phase of the exam begins with a general assessment of the body and skin condition of the horse. It is customary for the veterinarian to assign the horse a body condition score ranging from 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese. Scores of 4, 5, or 6 are within the acceptable range for performance, breeding and halter horses.After a visual assessment of the horse has been made, the veterinarian will then begin palpation of the limbs. By watching the horse perform a variety of movements on different surfaces, a veterinarian is able to get a good idea of the general soundness of a horse. Riding the horse may or may not be incorporated into the exam, according to the intended use of the horse. Asking the horse to move in straight lines and circles is also helpful in revealing any blemishes. A passive/active flexion test is commonly performed along with a thorough hoof examination. A basic neurological exam may also be part of this third examination phase.The fourth and final phase of the exam is known as the diagnostic phase. Radiography, nuclear scans and ultrasonography may be necessary to determine soundness with special emphasis placed on the examination of the navicular bone and distal phalanx. Higher radiographic grades of these areas are usually indicative of lameness and should be noted in a pre-purchase exam.When a horse is at an early age, typically before ever being ridden, a veterinarian must also review the growth plates of the horse. The growth plates are certain sections within the horses bone structure- particularly the front hind legs- which have to be fully developed for the horse to be ridden and enjoyed at its fullest.For more information on pre-purchase and growth plate examinations, e-mail Dr.Rullan at performanceequine@embarqmail.com. Galopando TV we welcome the input of our readers. So if there are any questions or comments, leave us a comment on the box, or e-mail us at info@galopandotv.com.At
