The pre-purchase examination, or ‘vetting’, is designed to identify potential veterinary related risks associated with purchasing a horse and whether it is likely to be able to physically fulfil your requirements. Our vets are caring and reliable, with many years of experience. We provide you with a thorough examination, offering sensible and practical advice.
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 contact our Equine Reception Team for pre-purchase examination prices.
ARE YOU SELLING A HORSE?
· 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 stereotyping behaviour can be examined.
· Neurological & foot examinations of the horse, further orthopaedic examination, trot up & flexion tests if necessary. A blood sample is taken from the horse & stored for 6 months for drug testing if required.
At this stage of a 5 stage vetting, according to your requirements, it may be that further examination is required, which may include Digital 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 decided to book a 2 stage vetting, the vetting declaration form must be filled in and signed prior to the vetting taking place. You can download or fill in 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. In addition, if you plan to insure your horse, please contact your insurance company to ask whether they require a 2-stage or 5-stage vetting.
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 vettings for insurance. Only the owner of the horse can request a vetting for insurance. Although they proceed under a similar (2 stage or 5-stage) format to vettings for purchase, vettings for insurance are not intended to identify specific future risks for an intended 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.
Equine: 01608 730085
equine@hooknortonvets.co.uk
