Pre-purchase examinations
Abbey Equine Clinic recommends that all horses receive a pre-purchase examination (PPE)
prior to purchase.
What is a Pre-purchase Examination (PPE: also called “vetting”)
The examination is intended to give the purchaser a veterinary opinion on the horse's suitability,
on the day of examination, for its intended use. The certificate can also be used to obtain
insurance cover for the horse (which we recommend). The vetting is performed on behalf of the
purchaser, and all information from the vetting is confidential between the vet and the
purchaser.
What does the vet do at a PPE?
There are 2 recognised formats for a PPE, a 2 stage and a 5 stage examination. We would always
advise a 5 stage examination (also known as a five star vetting) where possible but there is also a
shortened form of the examination, a “ 2 stage”, which is more limited in the about of
information we can give you about the horse and may be appropriate in cases such as young
stock or brood mares.
Stage 1: Complete physical examination at rest
Stage 2: Lameness examination
Stage 3: Exertion test
Stage 4: Rest period, examination free in the stable
Stage 5: Final examination
Further diagnostic tests such as radiography or endoscopy may also be included if required.
A complete 5 stage examination will take approximately 1.5hrs to complete.
Why should I bother?
We particularly recommend that all first-time buyers or less experienced horse owners have a
full 5 stage pre purchase examination; this is an easy and sensible way to avoid the many
upsetting and expensive pitfalls of buying a horse!
Why use Abbey Vets?
All our vets are dedicated equine clinicians so can give you an experienced, professional opinion
on the horse. They are happy to travel beyond our usual area to provide this service for both
clients and those who are not registered with the practice. We would always prefer you (the
buyer) to attend the examination, where possible, so that any findings can be immediately
discussed, in private, with the vet. If this is not possible, the vet will give you a call, normally the
same day, and discuss all of their findings. In light of what they have found, they will then
discuss whether or not they feel the horse is suitable for the purpose you outlined.
How do I book an examination?
As our vets perform a large number of examinations each year we have developed an efficient
system for processing these bookings. When you request a pre purchase examination you will be
contacted by a member of Abbey staff and asked a few questions about what you are expecting
from the horse and whether you have any concerns. Our staff will then take all the necessary
details from the purchaser and make sure the facilities are available to perform the complete
examination. This can be done at our clinic if required.
If asked to examine a horse belonging to one of our own clients, we have to ask the client’s
permission to release the horse’s medical records to the buyer. We would not be able to perform
the vetting without this permission.
If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us on 01873 840069
What does the examination involve?
Stage 1: Preliminary examination
A very thorough clinical examination of the entire horse to assess its condition, conformation,
and any abnormalities or indicators of health problems. It includes examination of the heart and
lungs at rest, the mouth and teeth, the eyes, the skin, the legs and feet, and flexion of the limb
joints to reveal pain or a reduced range of movement.
Stage 2: 1st trot-up
The horse is walked and trotted away from and towards the vet on hard, level ground in order to
detect any lameness or abnormal gait.
Flexion tests are usually performed where one limb is held in flexion for a set time period
followed by the horse being trotted up, to see whether the flexion has caused any lameness. This
process is repeated for each limb.
The vet may also require the horse to be lunged in a circle on both reins, either on a hard or soft
surface, or both.
Stage 3: Exercise
This stage allows the vet to see how the horse moves when ridden (or lunged) in all paces on
both reins. It is necessary to give the horse strenuous exercise, to exacerbate any breathing
sounds and heart abnormalities, and to tire the animal which may reveal lameness during
exercise or after a period of rest.
Stage 4: Rest
The horse is allowed to stand quietly for a period. During this time the breathing and the heart
are checked as they return to their resting states.
Stage 5: 2nd Trot-up
The horse is walked and trotted up again, turned tightly in both directions and reversed. The vet
may require the flexion test and/ or the lungeing to be repeated during this stage. The purpose of
this stage is to reveal any abnormalities exacerbated by the strenuous exercise stage.
A 2 stage vetting only includes stages 1 and 2, which as you can see from above excludes a lot of
important information.
A blood sample is usually taken at the end of the examination, and is kept in storage for a period
of time. This can be tested for the prescence of anti-inflammatories or painkillers later, at the
purchaser’s request.
If you are buying a horse for competition, breeding or with a known medical history, it may be
necessary to have further tests incorporated in the vetting, such x-rays, endoscopy or an
utrasound scan.