Horse Pre-Purchase Exam Questions: What You Need to Know

If you’re intimidated by the idea of buying a horse, you’re not alone. Buying a horse requires extensive research and attention to detail. Even after you’ve found the perfect fit, there are some steps you’ll need to take to ensure the horse is healthy, such as a pre-purchase exam. You’ll want to reference a list of horse pre-purchase exam questions to make the most of this appointment.

What is a Horse Pre-Purchase Exam?

Prior to buying a horse, you can contact a local large animal veterinarian to conduct a pre-purchase exam. During this in-person appointment, the vet will inspect the horse and complete a series of tests to see if the horse is healthy, sound, and free of any diseases or defects. They’ll share their findings with you during and after the exam.

Horse Pre-Purchase Exam Questions: How These Exams Work

What Does a Pre-Purchase Exam Include?

At a minimum, a reputable veterinarian will do the following during the exam:

Assess overall condition: The vet will inspect the horse’s entire body and make note of any injuries or conformation flaws. They’ll assess the horse’s weight and may ask clarifying about the horse’s diet or exercise routines. The vet will look at the horse’s eyes, ears, mouth, nose, teeth, and skin in search of any abnormalities.
Check balance and neurological responses: The vet will also assess the horse’s neurological (brain) health. They’ll analyze the horse’s balance and its reflexes. They may conduct some simple tests to see how the horse responds to stimuli.
Assess heart and lung functions: The vet will listen to the horse’s heart, lungs, and gut sounds to make sure there aren’t any abnormalities.
Check hooves and legs: As part of the overall health check, the veterinarian will carefully examine the horse’s hooves and legs. The goal is to determine if the horse is sound and if its hooves are in good condition.
Assess movements: Finally, the vet will watch the move at different gaits to examine its movements. They’ll watch for any signs of lameness, discomfort, or imbalance.

Optional Services

In addition to the exam described above, you may want to add x-rays or bloodwork to learn about your horse’s internal condition. These services can be especially important if you’re buying a sport horse that will be used for competitions. If you decide to add these services, let the vet clinic know in advance so that you can get an accurate price estimate for your pre-purchase exam.

Who Pays for A Pre-Purchase Exam?

In almost all cases, the person buying the horse schedules and pays for the pre-purchase exam. To give an analogy, a pre-purchase exam is similar to a home inspection when buying a piece of property. You’ll want to choose your own “inspector” (vet) to make sure you receive unbiased and accurate information about the horse you’re buying.

Does Every Horse Buyer Need a Pre Purchase Exam?

These exams are not mandatory, and ultimately, the decision about whether to have one hinges on you as the buyer. That said, most owners want peace of mind. An unbiased, professional opinion is valuable for deciding whether a horse is the right fit.

Note: it is a red flag if an owner tries to convince you that a horse doesn’t need a pre-purchase exam. An honest owner will give you plenty of latitude to conduct your due diligence before buying a horse.

How do You Find A Vet to Conduct the Exam?

Once you’re ready to schedule an exam, you should call local large animal clinics to inquire about availability. Try to schedule the exam as soon as you can since vets can get very busy. In most cases, you’ll have the option of either bringing the horse into a clinic or having the vet travel to the horse’s location.

Who Should Attend the Exam?

As the buyer, you’ll want to be present so that you can easily ask the vet your horse pre purchase exam questions. The current owner may want to attend the exam as well to answer questions about the horse’s history and to provide help and support during the process.

How Much Do Pre Purchase Exams Cost?

Prices vary depending on location, vet availabilty, and the services you choose to include in the exam. For instance, x-rays and bloodwork often come at an additional cost. At a minimum, you should expect to pay betwen $200 and $400 for the basic exam. When you call to schedule the appointment, be sure to ask about pricing so that you can plan accordingly.

Questions You’ll Want to Ask the Vet

Naturally, you may have questions about the horse during your pre purchase exam. Don’t be afraid to ask away! You are paying for the vet’s time and expertise. With that in mind, most vets will be happy to address your concerns.

This list of horse pre-purchase exam questions is not exhaustive, and your questions may vary depending on the horse’s breed, age, condition, and history. Further, the vet may answer many of these questions without prompting when they share your exam results. However, you can reference this list as needed to cover your bases.

Horse Pre-Purchase Exam Questions

Are there any concerning sounds from the horses’s heart, lungs, or gut?
Do you see any signs of lameness or leg/hoove problems?
How does this horse’s condition seem given their age?
Do you see any indications of past injuries?
Does anything stand out to you about the horse’s weight, diet, or eating patterns?
Does the horse have any significant comformational flaws?
Would you recommend x-rays of any specific areas?
Are there any supplements, vitamins, or minerals that you’d suggest adding to this horse’s diet?
With what you know about this horse’s past, are there specific cares of procedures that I should plan for in the future?
With a horse of this age, what preventative cares should I be doing?
Do you notice any signs of stress, pain, or discomfort?
Do you have any concerns with the x-rays or bloodwork?
Is the horse due for any vaccinations or procedures soon?
I plan to do _______________ with this horse. Does that seem possible in their current condition? (Fill in the blank with the discipline or activties you plan to do with the horse).
Is this horse breed prone to any injuries, defects, or genetic conditions that I should be aware of?
Does anything stand out about the horse’s behavior or temperament?
Do you see any worrisome habits or behaviors?

How to Interpret Your Exam Results

Ultimately, the vet may tell you that the horse “passed” or “failed” the pre-purchase exam. Don’t jump to conclusions based on the wording – passing an exam doesn’t mean that a horse is “perfect”, and failing doesn’t inherently mean that you shouldn’t buy the horse.

If the exam uncovers issues, the vet will describe them in detail and explain what is needed to manage or cure the concerning condition, if applicable. They’ll help you understand the risks of moving fowrad with the purchase so that you can make an informed decision. A horse that fails a vet exam may not be an “easy keeper”. In other words, the horse may need special care, attention, or procedures to remain in good shape. That said, this doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. If you’re comfortable with some uncertainty and (potentially) higher vet bills, you can still move foward with the purchase.

What Findings Should be Considered Deal Breakers?

Deal breakers will be different for each buyer. For example, someone who primarily wants a companion horse may not be too concerned about buying a horse that’s prone to lameness. Conversely, a competitive rider who wants a show-ready horse needs to select a mount with healthy hooves and good leg anatomy.

A quick note here: it can be devastating to discover that your dream horse isn’t suited to your riding goals. But as a prospective owner, it’s essential to be fair and rational. Don’t force an ill-suited horse to conform to your goals, and don’t sacrifice your goals to buy a horse because it looks nice or it’s in your budget. It’s disheartening to jump back into the search if a horse doesn’t work out, but it’s all part of the process.

In conclusion, every propsective owner should invest in a pre-purchase exam. Be ready with a list of horse pre-purchase exam questions so that you make the most of this important meeting.