Pre-Purchase examination

What is a Pre-Purchase Assessment?

A pre-purchase assessment provides an independent veterinary evaluation of the horse’s health and physical condition at the time of examination.

The aim is to identify clinical findings that may be relevant to the horse’s intended use and to provide the prospective buyer with objective information to support an informed decision.

Every horse and every purchase is different. The examination is therefore considered in relation to the horse’s age, discipline, level of activity, medical history and intended future use.

What Does the Examination Include?

The assessment begins with a review of the horse’s history and intended use, followed by a thorough clinical examination.

Particular attention is given to the musculoskeletal system, including conformation, posture, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The horse is then evaluated in motion, typically:

• In hand on straight lines and circles
• At different gaits
• On different surfaces when appropriate
• With flexion tests when indicated
• Under saddle or during exercise when relevant to the intended use

The objective is not simply to identify an asymmetry, but to understand its potential significance for the individual horse.

Additional Diagnostic Examinations

Depending on the clinical findings, intended use and the buyer’s requirements, additional examinations may be recommended.

These can include digital radiography, ultrasonography, respiratory endoscopy, cardiac evaluation, blood testing or other targeted diagnostic examinations.

Rather than applying the same protocol to every horse, additional diagnostics are selected according to the individual situation and the questions that need to be answered.

A Decision Based on the Whole Picture

No examination can predict a horse’s future with certainty. A pre-purchase assessment provides a clinical picture at a specific point in time.

At ESMP, findings from the clinical examination, locomotor assessment and any additional diagnostics are considered together and interpreted in relation to the horse’s intended use.

Our role is to provide clear, objective veterinary information so that you can make an informed decision.