Before you purchase your horse, we recommend you consider having it examined by a Veterinary Surgeon. This will allow the assessment of any medical considerations and other queries that inevitably arise during your own initial evaluation as well as picking up on any significant potential problems that could not have been noticed.
 
 It is tempting to omit this procedure, particularly if you have spent a lot of time and energy deciding that this is the horse for you, but consider; although a Pre-Purchase Examination (PPE) or "vetting" cannot guarantee success, it will help you quantify the risk and reach an informed decision about your intended purchase.
 
 It is rare that this decision is black or white, but will involve factors associated with intended use, production for resale, and insurance. It is for these reasons that a horse will no longer 'pass' or 'fail' a vetting, but an opinion will be presented considering whether the conditions identified "will or will not be likely to prejudice the animal's proposed use by the prospective purchaser".

Five Stage Examination

In order that the examination can be performed properly, the following facilities are required.
A dark stable  An area of hard level ground on which the horse can be examined and then trotted in hand.

 A suitable area of hard level ground on which the horse can be lunged.
 An area in which the horse can be ridden and strenuously exercised.
 The five stages are:
 
 Initial examination in the stable assessing the eyes, heart, lungs mouth etc.
 Examination outside the stable with the horse stood square. Trot-up in hand, flexion tests and if possible lunging on a hard surface

A Conformation Chart is provided. Freedom from Vices Owners Declaration, and a Thermography whole body check over
 Ridden examination, usually involving walk, trot, and canter in both a circles and straight lines, and   finally gallop
 A cool down period and paperwork
 Final trot up, turning and backing

If the vendor allows, a blood sample for possible future analysis is recommended. It is now a requirement that the horse has a passport

Further Tests

  These include:

X-rays, Ultrasound
Endoscope ,Blood Tests
Gynaecological procedures
Mouth Gags

 The PPE is a clinical examination. We do not routinely use further diagnostic tests unless these are requested either by the purchaser or for insurance purposes. If you wish for further tests to be performed, it is essential these be discussed with the examining Veterinary Surgeon. If there are any points that require prior consideration, we are happy to discuss these with you before you continue.
 
 It is important that the examining vet is able to communicate with the purchaser whilst the examination is taking place. All vetting is different; a live dialogue makes the whole procedure easier for everyone involved. We would recommend whenever possible the purchaser is present during the examination.