Why have a horse vetted?

Buying a horse is a big and often expensive decision so it is important to make the right decision and to buy the right horse. This not only involves finding a horse which has a pleasant manner, is good to ride, etc but also looking for one that is likely to remain healthy and is suitable for the type and amount of riding that is anticipated. To make a mistake and buy the wrong horse could be costly and heartbreaking.

Buying a car without an MOT would be unwise and on the same basis buying a horse without a pre-purchase examination by a qualified professional can be both risky and costly. A pre-purchase vetting can not only identify any existing health problems but may also identify potential problems that may occur in the future.

The vetting is carried out on behalf of the purchaser and it is important to discuss fully with the vet beforehand the intended type of and regularity of use that the horse is intended for. This ensures that the vet can give an accurate assessment as to whether the horse will be fit for the purpose intended based on its health.

Cost of Vetting

The cost of vetting may vary between Veterinary Practices and the type of vetting carried out. A basic or insurance vetting will normally cost around £75 with a 5 stage vetting costing around £250.

Advantages of having a horse vetted

As well as providing a professional opinion on the health and suitability of a horse, a vetting may also be required for insurance purposes. Some insurance companies will not insure a horse unless it has at least had an basic or insurance vetting carried out. The type of vetting carried out may also affect the amount of money that a horse can be insured for and in many cases if the horse is to be insured for over £5,000 then a 5 stage vetting is required. The other advantage of having a 5 star vetting carried out is that some insurance companies may not be willing to insure for loss of use without a 5 stage veterinary certificate. In addition should the horse develop a condition resulting in loss of use shortly after purchase the 5 stage veterinary certificate can provide evidence that the horse did not already suffer from the condition when insured.

The 5 stage vetting examination consists of 5 stages detailed below set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association where the horse is examined both at rest and at work and the examination usually lasts for between 2 and 3 hours. A basic or insurance vetting varies but generally consists of examination along the lines of stages 1 and 2 only.

Stage 1 - Preliminary Stable Examination

The first stage of the vetting is a preliminary examination with the horse stabled and any abnormal behaviour, signs of unsuitable temperament, etc will be noted. The vet will also note the general condition of the horse and then move onto examining the horse examining the heart, lungs and eyes.

The vet will then examine the horse outside whilst stood on a level surface to ensure that the horse's weight is distributed evenly and that it stands straight. The vet will examine the horse all over to check the eyes, nostrils, lymph glands, muscular development, spine and limbs and also to check for wounds, swellings, growths, scars, heat, etc.

Once the vet has checked the horse over thoroughly the vet will view the horse at walk on a firm, flat surface to check that the horse shows regularity, suppleness and shows no sign of pain when moving.

Stage 2 - In Hand Examination

During Stage 2 the vet will require that the horse is trotted up on a flat, hard surface viewing the horse from behind, in front and from the side. The vet will look for regular, straight movement without restriction and any indication of lameness or pain.

The vet will also view the horse being turned and moved backwards to further assess the movement of the limbs. The vet may also carry out a flexion test - where each limb is lifted and held for a period and the vet views whether there is any abnormality in movement resulting from this. The flexion test can be useful in assessing seriousness of problems already identified and can expose lameness problems not otherwise found. However, flexion tests can cause lameness if applied too vigorously and so any doubt over the results of this part of the test should be discussed fully with the vet once vetting is completed.

Stage 3 - Strenuous Exercise

The vet will then watch the horse carrying out strenuous exercise in order to note the horse's respiration and heart rate. If the horse is unbroken then exercise will be carried out on the lunge, otherwise the horse will normally be ridden. The horse will be required to walk, trot and canter with the vet listening for abnormal sounds and at the end of the exercise the vet will examine the heart and lungs.

Stage 4 - Rest Period

After completing Stage 3 the horse will be rested for up to 30 minutes when the heart and lungs will be examined again and blood tests taken.

Stage 5 - Trotting Up and Foot Examination

The horse will be trotted up again in order to note that it continues to move soundly after completing stage 3.

The Results

Once the vetting is complete the vet will fill out the necessary documentation and either "pass" or "fail" the horse. The results will record any abnormalities and signs of ill-health and will record their significance based on the use the horse is intended for. In some cases there may be areas in which a problem or potential problem has been identified. However, if the horse is particularly desirable it may be that further tests may be beneficial to establish the seriousness of the problem identified and whether they can easily be treated.

It is not the responsibility of the vet to make the decision as to whether to purchase or not, but to provide a professional opinion of the health of the horse with the intended use borne in mind. If there is any doubt as to the suitability of the horse for its intended purpose based on its health it is important to discuss these fully with the vet prior to purchase so that an informed decision on whether to purchase or not can be made.