Dr. Pownall conducting flexion test

PRE-PURCHASE EXAM

We offer protection to horse buyers by helping to identify existing and potential problems with their prospective horse. We offer a range of diagnostic equipment to maximize the information available in making your purchase decision.

Every prepurchase examination begins with a physical exam of the horse. At this stage we assess the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, eyes, teeth, conformation, and palpate the limbs for areas of current and chronic injury. We also obtain a medical and competitive history of the animal.

Following the initial examination, we observe the horse on the lunge line on sand footing to assess gait, soundness, and level of fitness. The heart and lungs are listened to again after exercise to check for stress related abnormalities. The horse is then observed on hard footing to reveal lamenesses that are exaggerated by concussion. We can also perform these tests with a rider if requested. Flexion tests are performed on the lower limbs. These tests involve bending a specific joint for a set period of time and then immediately trotting the horse off. Arthritic or inflamed joints can be identified this way, as the horse will show stiffness or a slight limp for a few strides.

If the horse performs well on these tests, we move onto the imaging section of the examination. This typically involves fluoroscopy, digital radiography, or a combination of both. We examine the bones and joints of the limbs for signs of injury, arthritis, and the potential for future problems. No horse is perfect, so our goal is to decide which findings are unlikely to interfere with the horse’s soundness , verses those which will become a problem. The past record of soundness, age of the horse, and intended use are obviously important factors in these decisions.

We often examine the soft tissues, such as a thickened tendon, with digital ultrasonography. If the horse makes an abnormal noise in the throat, or is expected to perform at a high level athletically, the airway can be examined by endoscopy to check for proper anatomy and function. Blood tests can be drawn if illness or abnormality is suspected. Our policy is to hold a blood sample for 30 days from every prepurchase examination in the event that drug testing is requested. This is for protection of the buyer and the seller, to relieve any suspicion that the horse was given enhancing drugs prior to the exam. An insurance form will be completed for you if desired.

Hopefully, all has gone well and the exam concludes with you taking home your new horse. All of the images are stored digitally on CD and retained in our medical records for future viewing. Many horses have been resold successfully because we can demonstrate that a small abnormality on xray was present on the last prepurchase examination and has not worsened or affected performance. The CD can also be sent to another veterinarian, as we frequently perform exams for buyers in other countries and forward the xrays to their own veterinarian. All exam results and images are confidential and are only released on authorization of the individual who commissioned the exam.

This describes a prepurchase examination performed at our facility. Of course, if the horse is found to be unsuitable at any point, the exam is terminated and no further charges are incurred. We also do these exams on-farm if the horse is unable to ship in. Digital radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy can be offered however fluroscopy is not portable. Appropriate footing may vary, this can sometimes limit our gait evaluations.