A vetting before you buy
Pre-purchase exams
A two-stage or a five-stage vetting for the buyer, with an honest written report. We look at what is there and tell you what it means for the job you want the horse to do.
No horse passes. It is not that sort of exam. What you get is a vet’s opinion on the risks of buying this horse for this job.
A five-stage vetting takes about three hours and has a set order: a preliminary exam at rest, walk and trot in hand, ridden exercise, a rest period, and a second trot-up, along with flexions and a blood sample stored in case of later questions. A two-stage is the first two stages, and it is much cheaper, but it cannot tell you about wind or anything that shows only after work.
Ring us before the vetting to tell us what you want the horse for. A nice old cob for hacking and a young eventer are different questions. We will talk to you on the day, not just send a form, and if you are there you will learn a great deal about the horse.
We act for the buyer only. We will not vet a horse we have treated for its current owner, unless both of you agree in writing, and even then we will tell you what we have seen.
What it includes
- Two-stage or five-stage to the standard format
- A call beforehand about what you want
- Blood sample stored for six months
- A written report the same or next day
- X-rays and scoping as add-ons, on the yard
- A clear talk-through by phone
What it costs
A two-stage vetting is £190. A five-stage vetting is £395, with X-rays on top. The price list has the rest. We tell you what a job is likely to cost before we start.
Questions about pre-purchase exams
Should I always do the five-stage?
For anything over a few thousand pounds or anything with a job to do, we think so. A two-stage can miss a lot, and we will tell you what.
Can you vet a horse outside your area?
Up to about an hour away, with mileage. Further than that, it is better to have a local vet, and we can usually suggest one.
Worried? Ring. Nobody here minds an unnecessary call.
A vet answers, day or night, and advice on the phone is free. For everything else, there is a round day.