Horse Pre-Purchase Examination Welfare

Pre-purchase veterinary examinations provide welfare-relevant information about a horse's health status that enables informed purchasing decisions and reduces long-term welfare problems.

Key Facts

Pre-purchase examinations can include a two-stage or five-stage assessment with ridden exercise
Radiographs of feet, joints, and spine are increasingly included in comprehensive PPEs
Commonly identified problems include OCD lesions, kissing spines, and chronic foot changes
The examination identifies existing conditions but cannot predict future health
Some conditions identified at PPE are manageable and do not preclude purchase for appropriate use

Welfare Considerations

Pre-purchase examination welfare value lies in preventing welfare problems before they develop by providing buyers with accurate health information before commitment. Purchasing a horse with undiagnosed chronic pain conditions creates a welfare problem that the buyer may not recognise and may not manage appropriately. Horses sold without examination may appear sound at the point of sale but have existing conditions that become clinically significant under work. The examination also initiates a health record that benefits the horse through subsequent ownership. From a welfare perspective, comprehensive pre-purchase examination is the most important welfare tool available at the point of equine purchase.

What You Can Do

Always commission a pre-purchase veterinary examination before buying a horse
Request a five-stage examination for horses intended for demanding work
Include radiographs of feet and relevant joints for older horses or intended performance animals
Be transparent with your vet about the intended use so the examination is appropriate