📋 Vet Guide: Pre-Purchase Exams in Horses | 2025 Buyer’s Protection for Soundness & Long-Term Health 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Whether you’re buying your first horse or your tenth, a **pre-purchase exam (PPE)** is one of the smartest investments you can make. Even if the horse is “free” or priced modestly, hidden health issues can cost you thousands—or worse, lead to heartbreak. 🧠💸

In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through what a PPE includes, why it’s essential, and how to tailor it to your needs as a buyer—whether you’re shopping for a trail companion or a top-level sporthorse. 🐴📋

💡 Why Every Horse Needs a Pre-Purchase Exam

There’s an old saying: “There’s no such thing as a free horse.” Even if the purchase price is low, care costs (feed, farrier, vet bills) add up fast—and can skyrocket if you unknowingly buy a horse with chronic or performance-limiting conditions. 💸⚠️

Case Example:

One buyer wanted a $500 horse for their daughter. Our pre-purchase exam revealed **caudal heel pain and early navicular changes**. Had they skipped the exam, they would’ve faced years of **corrective shoeing and treatment**—far exceeding the cost of a sounder horse. 💥

Another Example:

We examined a horse with **equine metabolic syndrome** and a history of **founder**. Although the horse wasn’t lame at the time, X-rays showed **permanent damage**—a red flag for lifelong hoof management. 📉

Without a vet's eye and diagnostic tools, buyers miss these details—and end up with more than they bargained for. 🧠

🩺 What’s Included in a Pre-Purchase Exam?

PPEs are customizable based on the horse’s **price, intended use, and age**. For basic pleasure or companion horses, a thorough physical and lameness exam may be sufficient. For performance prospects, **advanced diagnostics like radiographs or bloodwork** are often warranted. 🎯

Common PPE Components:

• 🩺 Full physical exam (heart, lungs, eyes, teeth, skin)
• 🦵 Lameness evaluation (at walk, trot, flexion tests)
• 🧪 Optional bloodwork (CBC, metabolic panel, drug screening)
• 📸 Radiographs of key joints (feet, hocks, stifles, back, etc.)
• 🧬 Diagnostic ultrasound (if needed)

Your vet will provide a **non-biased, professional opinion** about the horse’s current health and future suitability for your goals. ✅

🎯 Tailoring the Exam to Your Horse’s Purpose

🧑‍🏫 Riding School Horse:

• 📋 Basic physical and lameness check
• 🦷 Dental and hoof history evaluation

🏇 Performance Horse:

• 📸 Radiographs of joints under high stress
• 🧠 Possibly back or neck imaging
• 💉 Pre-purchase bloodwork for meds or hidden conditions

🛏️ Senior Companion Horse:

• 🧪 Basic metabolic panel
• 📈 Condition monitoring for Cushing’s, arthritis, dental status

A PPE should be tailored—not one-size-fits-all. Discuss your budget and expectations with your vet beforehand. 🧠💬

🚫 Skipping a PPE Can Cost You More

Even if the horse is free, don’t skip a PPE. Undiagnosed conditions like arthritis, navicular, laminitis, metabolic disease, or even subtle behavioral problems can cost **thousands in vet and farrier care**—not to mention lost riding time. 📉💔

You deserve to buy with **clarity, not surprise**. ✅

📲 Use Ask A Vet for PPE Support

The Ask A Vet app helps you make smart buying decisions with real veterinary input:

• 📱 Ask if a PPE is needed for a specific horse
• 📋 Compare PPE options by horse type and budget
• 📸 Upload results and get second opinions on radiographs
• 🧪 Discuss bloodwork or drug testing when appropriate

Buy smarter with confidence and expert support. 🐴📲

✅ Pre-Purchase Exam Takeaways for 2025

• 📋 A PPE protects your health, safety, and investment
• 📉 Many sound-looking horses have hidden problems
• 🧠 Exams can be basic or advanced depending on use
• 💉 Blood tests, X-rays, and flexion tests can reveal critical issues
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to plan, review, or follow up after a PPE

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Buying a horse should be exciting—not stressful. A pre-purchase exam helps ensure that your dream horse doesn’t become a long-term burden. With the right vet guidance, you can enter into any horse purchase **fully informed and confident**. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app today to schedule a pre-purchase exam, upload findings, and get expert advice—before you sign that check. 🐎📱