Pre-purchase veterinary examinations help buyers make informed decisions and protect horses from being placed in unsuitable homes. Understanding what PPEs include and their limitations improves outcomes for all parties.
Pre-purchase examination welfare has two dimensions: the horse's welfare during the examination process and the downstream welfare of the horse placed with an appropriate or inappropriate buyer. A thorough PPE that identifies health issues allows buyers to make informed decisions about whether they can provide appropriate management - a horse with early arthritis placed with a buyer who understands this and can manage it has better welfare than the same horse placed unknowingly with a buyer who will demand performance it cannot give. The welfare of horse and human both benefit from transparent PPE processes that identify issues honestly rather than passing horses as sound when they have conditions requiring specific management.