If you are looking for your next horse, our veterinary team can help evaluate your trial horse with a pre-purchase exam to ensure they are healthy and suited to your needs.

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Finding Your Next Equine Partner

The pre-purchase evaluation, performed by a veterinarian, allows them to gather and interpret the information necessary to help you select the horse best suited to your needs and goals.

For us to fairly evaluate the horse, the animal should be fit, conditioned, and in consistent training for its intended discipline. A horse that has been out of work for a prolonged period of time will be difficult to evaluate for lameness.

At Stillwater Equine Veterinary Clinic, we want to help you make sure your next horse will meet all the physical demands of your training program.

Equine Pre-Purchase Exams | Stillwater Vets

Why Should You Consider a Pre-Purchase Exam?

Pre-purchase examinations are important for any potential horse buyer.

The objective is to reduce the buyer’s risks when purchasing a new horse and determine the general health and athletic soundness of the horse for sale.

These examinations cannot guarantee that the horse is sound. The exams are meant to be an attempt to ascertain any pre-existing problem or any potential problem that may affect future soundness (e.g., degenerative joint disease).

If you are considering purchasing a horse, contact us. We will coordinate with you and the seller to book a pre-purchase examination.

Pre-Purchase Exam Steps

Pre-Purchase exams conducted by our veterinarians will consist of the five following steps:

  1. A standing evaluation of the entire horse, including the heart, lungs, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, and overall body condition.
  2. A moving exam where the horse is observed on soft and hard footing, and if possible, under saddle.
  3. A series of flexion tests to evaluate each limb region.
  4. Elective radiographs and ultrasounds are often performed.
  5. Optional blood work—including Coggins, additional chemistry work, and a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to evaluate organ function and blood cell values. A complete drug screen may be done at the owner's request.
  6. A sedated dental examination is advised.

If your horse is not currently a patient at Stillwater Equine Veterinary Clinic, a release of their prior medical records is needed to schedule an appointment.

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