Project Description
Pre-purchase Examination
There is a risk associated with the purchase of any horse. In order to manage that risk, we advise prospective purchasers to employ an experienced equine veterinarian to undertake a pre-purchase examination. A pre-purchase examination is not for soundness and the aim is not to pass or fail a horse.
Instead the aim of conducting a pre-purchase examination should be to identify, asses and attempt to quantify the risks associated with purchasing the horse for its intended purpose.
It is very important that the horse is currently fit and in athletic training because it is very difficult to asses the suitability of a horse for any purpose if it has been spelling in a paddock for three months.
In order to adequately asses the horse, the minimum examination undertaken by Jacqui McGregor Equine Veterinary Services is the five stage examination. This is an extensive clinical examination that often takes between one and two hours.
In order to satisfactorily conduct this examination, the following facilities are desirable:
A dark stable in which to examine the eyes
A hard driveway or concrete are on which the horse can be walked and trotted out in hand
An area where the horse can be ridden or lunged
If the vendor does not have these facilities, it may be advisable to consider transporting the horse to another location where these facilities are available.
The actual five stage examination involves the following:
General clinical examination including eyes, heart, lungs, mouth, feet and conformation
Walking and trotting out in hand on a hard surface in a straight line. Application of hoof testers, turning, backing and flexion tests
Observation under saddle or on the lunge. The vendor will be expected to ride or lunge the horse at the trot and canter for at least 15 to 20 minutes
The horse is then allowed to cool down
Final trot up. Walking and trotting out in hand on a hard surface in a straight line. Lunging on a hard surface. Repeat flexion tests
A blood sample is always taken for storage and possible testing for any medication that may have affected the pre-purchase examination findings. If a vendor refuses we will advise against the purchase of the horse.
The blood sample is taken and stored for a period of 21 days, after that it will be destroyed.
Finally, the veterinarian undertaking the examination will discuss all findings with the purchaser and provide a written report within 24 hours. The report is not a guarantee and no warranty is given or implied, the veterinary report is a professional assessment of the risk associated with purchase of the horse on the basis of the findings on the day of the examination.
Additional examinations
On the basis of the findings of the five stages examination, the veterinarian may suggest, for an additional fee, diagnostic testing such radiographs of a subject joint or an ultrasound examination of a thickened tendon.
Alternatively, additional diagnostic testing can be undertaken as part of the initial pre-purchase examination. The types of diagnostic testing routinely undertaken include, but are not limited to:
Radiographs – routine radiographic studies are often taken of the knees, fetlocks, hocks, stifles and front feet
Ultrasound examination of tendons
Endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract
Complete body profile blood testing to look for sub-clinical disease and assess organ function
Final Decision
The final decision to buy the horse rests with you, the purchaser. If there is any aspect of the pre-purchase examination findings that you don’t understand, please feel free to ask as many questions as you need to before making your decision.
Conflict of Interest
If the horse is owned by one of our clients, we will not undertake a pre-purchase examination. In this situation, we can recommend other veterinarians in the local area who will undertake a pre-purchase examination.
Confidentiality
All information obtained during the pre-purchase examination is owned by the purchaser who has requested the pre-purchase examination. We will not discuss the details of our findings with the vendor without the permission of the purchaser, nor will we discuss the details of our findings with any other prospective purchasers unless they retain us as the veterinarian to undertake an examination on their behalf.
General suggestions
Before undertaking a pre-purchase examination we suggest that all prospective purchasers give consideration to the following:
Retain a professional trainer to ride the horse and give advice as to the suitability of the horse for its intended purpose
In respect to show animals, sight an original & current measuring certificate
Sight original registration papers and determine that the above vendor is listed on the registration papers as the last owner
Obtain a written and signed history from the vendor
DEPARTMENT FIGURES
| RESIDENT DOCTORS | 17 |
| IN-HOUSE NURSES | 25 |
| FULL TIME STAFF | 43 |
| NUMBER OF ROOMS | 27 |
| YEARLY PATIENTS | 27,387 |
OPENING HOURS
| Monday – Firday | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Saturday | 9:30 – 17:00 |
| Sunday | 9:30 – 15:00 |
+44(0) 1865 339665
OFFICE LOCATIONS
MEET OUR DOCTORS
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OUR PATIENTS SAY
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