Vet Check

[JennLM]

How many of you get Vet Checks on the horses you are interested in buying?

Do you do it on all of them or just ones you think may have problems?

Of those, how many don't pass?

A friend of mine is looking at horses and it seems the last few have not passed. Just wondering how common this is.

[Linda Y]

Of the last 2 horses I looked at, one I did a vet check on and she passed. The other I didn't and wish I had. She doesn't have any conformational type problems, but they probably would have caught that she was sick with a fever.

[Cindy]

For what reasons did they fail?

[PasoJoy]

I always do a pre-purchase exam, especially if the horse is out of state. I did one on Notable, but I opted out of the flexion test as he is still young. If it were an older horse I would do the flexion test. I always use a different vet from the one used at the barn also, to make sure there is no conflict of interest.

[JennLM]

The last 2 were leg problems. The hoof testing portion one failed and the Joint flexion test part failed along with a hock issue. One she paid an expensive Vet check, they ended up doing xrays as well. Then the horse was immediately sold to someone else and the owner never found out why the hock had issues. Hopefully they were told everything.

[Helene]

Flexion tests...I had a young horse fail one. They lifted his hind legs real high, pressed tight for 60 seconds before they let him go....he didn't like it very much, but was very patient. Did one hind high 3 times (he jerked it out of their hands after 40-45 seconds twice) and passed the third time....then the other...he lost it 10 times, each time after about 40+ seconds each time. He was REAL good...especially since this was the last thing they did to him. This was a VERY thorough exam (we spent over 5 hours at the clinic, altogether) and he had passed with flying colors till then. So (about 3-4 hours into the exam), it was decided to x-ray. They had to sedate him with a HUGE dose of sedative (they were surprised how much it took) and took the x-rays. It showed some very, very mild, beginning arthritis on one bone and it was suggested to give him a course of Adequan shots (around $300+). Needless -- and understandable-- to say, the buyer backed out of the sale.

I did take the x-rays to my local vet (who specializes in lameness issues) and he said it was nothing to worry about, he would give years of great service, not to use the Adequan, but to give him a much cheaper supplement (Chondroitin, etc) . I've been doing that now for months and will get new x-rays at the one year anniversary of the exam to see how much and if this has progressed.
Might I also say-- this horse was never lame before or after this. He was born on my place. He was lame for a few seconds after 10 tries of doing the flexion tests, but walked out of it which is why they took the x-rays....
Now--I guess, I will keep this fellow probably all of his life (if I can)....I am telling everyone interested in him about this and offer people to just talk to the vet, but I doubt anyone will buy him "because he has a problem"....

I wonder how many horses are "out there" with much bigger problems, but they are hidden???? At least, I know that this is the only health problem he has.

I had another horse fail a prepurchase exam -- a 14 year old mare. Buyer, again, passed on the purchase. The vet said she had hip problems and needed chiropractic treatment. I took her to one a chiropractor, spent some money, then took her to another vet for a second opinion: she had beginning ringbone, (nothing wrong with her hip at all!!!!) ???? Anyhow, I lowered the price, advertised, got a call -- let the buyer talk to the vet, showed the x-rays...and he DID buy the mare. Months later, I heard, he was hunting Antilopes and riding her all over the place. She also had a gorgeous colt a year later....and now, currently, she is the main riding horse for his elderly mother and is very much loved-- that was 7-8 years ago, so she would be 21-22 years old???? -- By the way, the first buyer bought a gelding they had major trouble with, as they asked me for advice several times....last year, I saw him advertised for a fraction of what I know they paid for him.

Vet exams-- I would have one on an expensive horse if I did not know where the horse came from or did not trust the owner. If the horse is cheap, I'd pass after checking the horse out myself. If I know where the horse is coming from or I knew the horse for years (had watched him/her for years), I would pass on a vet exam, too......

[Valrory]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I go with my gut about the seller. If it is someone I know or a referral, then I do not.

If I'm a bit skeptical, then I'll have the vet check.

So far, the horses I had checked did not pass. The others that did not get checked are fine & dandy.

Also, keep in mind what the horse is being purchased for. I trail ride.