Radiographs during pre-purchase examinations reveal bone changes that affect future soundness. Understanding how to interpret PPE radiograph findings supports informed purchasing decisions.
Radiograph interpretation during PPEs requires contextualizing findings against the intended use of the horse. A horse with moderate hock changes that is being purchased for light hacking has different welfare implications than the same changes in a horse intended for international three-day eventing. The welfare of both horse and owner is served by honest, context-specific interpretation that assesses whether detected changes are likely to cause welfare-compromising pain at the intended workload, not simply whether changes are present.