The pre-purchase/vetting examination provides an assessment of the horse at the time of examination to help inform the potential purchaser‘s decision to continue with their purchase. However, it does not guarantee a horse’s suitability for its intended use.
Please visit our prices page for our current pricing information.
· Examination of Passport & Microchip
· Thorough external clinical exam, including: mouth, skin, eyes, heart, lungs, foot balance & initial orthopaedic examination.
· Thorough orthopaedic/ neurological exam including flexion tests, lunging of the horse on a hard surface (if safe to do so) & back/pelvis examination.
· Examination of the horse during strenuous exercise, trot, canter & gallop (where appropriate), preferably under saddle. This examination will include 10m and 20m circles followed by repeat cardiovascular exams of the horse. Any horse that is not backed is lunged.
· Rest period where the cardiovascular recovery of the horse is assessed & any stereotypical behaviour can be examined.
· Repeat trot up to assess the effect of strenuous exercise. Flexion tests, neurological & foot examinations of the horse may also be repeated if necessary. A blood sample is taken from the horse and sent to an independent laboratory. In most cases the sample is stored for 6 months in case drug testing is required. If requested, the sample can be analysed immediately. Please note that any blood sample testing incurs a fee from the external laboratory that is separate from the pre-purchase examination fee.
At this stage of a 5 stage vetting, according to your requirements, it may be that further examination is required, which may include X-rays, ultrasonography or endoscopy.
REQUEST A VETTING
· Examination of Passport & Microchip
· Thorough external clinical exam, including mouth, skin, eyes, heart, lungs, foot balance & initial orthopaedic examination.
Thorough orthopaedic/ neurological exam including flexion tests, lunging of the horse on a hard surface (if safe to do so) and back/ pelvis examination.
If you decide to book a two-stage vetting, the vetting declaration form must be completed and signed prior to the vetting taking place. You can download or complete the online form here.
If you are unsure whether you require a five-stage or two-stage vetting examination, we would be very happy to discuss this with you before booking your vetting. Additionally, if you plan to insure your horse, please contact your insurance company to inquire whether they require a 2-stage or 5-stage vetting process.
If you require X-rays for insurance purposes, please contact your insurance company and ask them to confirm the views they require in writing. Please then forward the email to our Equine Reception Team.
If you’d like X-rays, but not for insurance purposes, your vet can discuss individual requirements.
Should your insurance company require a certificate of examination to renew your horse’s insurance, or if you did not have a vetting pre-purchase, we do offer vetting for insurance.
Only the horse’s owner can request a vetting for insurance purposes. Although they proceed under a similar (2-stage or 5-stage) format for vetting purchases, vetting for insurance is not intended to identify specific future risks for a particular use or suitability for purpose.
Please contact us on 01608 730085 or complete our Vetting request form.
If you’re worried about your horse and would like to speak to one of our vets then please call your nearest branch or send an email.
Hook Norton: 01608 730085
equine@hooknortonvets.co.uk
