Pre-purchase veterinary examinations protect both horse buyers and the horses themselves by identifying health and welfare problems before a sale that might otherwise result in inadequate care or inappropriate use.
Pre-purchase veterinary examination protects horse welfare at the point of sale by ensuring buyers understand the health status of horses they acquire. Buyers who purchase horses without vetting and then discover conditions they cannot manage financially or practically may be unable to provide appropriate treatment, resulting in welfare compromise. Horses with identified conditions that are sold transparently can be matched with buyers who have the resources and expertise to manage those conditions appropriately. Five-stage vettings that include radiography and endoscopy provide the most complete picture of welfare-relevant conditions.