Pre-Purchase Examinations

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Stable Close Equine Veterinary Practice (Web) 2026-04 070

Our team is here to help our clients make informed, confident decisions when buying a horse.

Our trusted service

Pre-purchase examinations (often referred to as “vettings”) are a fundamental part of our work, and our experienced vets have developed a strong reputation for providing thorough, objective assessments tailored to each individual situation.

A pre-purchase examination is carried out on behalf of a prospective buyer and is designed to assess whether a horse is suitable for its intended use.

It is important to understand that this is not a simple “pass or fail” process. Each examination is specific to the individual horse, the purchaser and the intended purpose. As such, a horse may be considered suitable for one buyer but not for another.

Before the examination, we will discuss your requirements in detail so we fully understand your expectations. This ensures that our findings and advice are relevant, meaningful, and tailored to your needs.

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The aim of pre-purchase examinations

Our role is to provide you, the purchaser, with a clear and objective clinical assessment of the horse at the time of examination.

We identify and assess any findings that could affect the horse’s suitability and explain their significance in relation to your intended use.

We will also discuss any potential risks, both short and long term, to help you make a fully informed decision.

Following the examination, you will receive a detailed certificate outlining all relevant findings in clear, accessible terms.

It is important to note that a pre-purchase examination provides an assessment on the day and does not guarantee future performance or ongoing soundness.

Stable Close Equine Veterinary Practice (Web) 2026-04 064

Important considerations

Pre-purchase examinations are carried out solely on behalf of the purchaser, and all findings are confidential to you.

The examination reflects the horse’s condition only at the time it is carried out and should be used as part of your overall decision-making process.

We strongly recommend discussing your expectations, intended use and any insurance requirements with your vet before the examination, so that we can provide the most relevant and useful advice.

The examination

Pre-purchase examinations are carried out following a recognised and standardised format, either as a two-stage or five-stage examination.

Two-stage examinations
Five-stage examinations

Two-stage examinations

A limited two-stage examination includes the initial phases of the assessment:

A thorough clinical examination at rest, including heart, lungs, eyes, and general condition.
Evaluation of the horse walking and trotting in hand to assess movement and soundness.

This provides a general overview of the horse’s health and may be suitable for lower-level activities or when a more limited assessment is requested.

A blood sample is not routinely taken during a two-stage examination but can be collected if specifically requested.

Five-stage examinations

A five-stage examination is the recommended comprehensive assessment. In addition to the first two stages, it includes:

A period of strenuous exercise (ridden or lunged) to assess the horse under workload.
A period of rest with monitoring of recovery.
A second trot-up to detect any issues that become apparent after exercise.

This more detailed process allows the vet to assess the horse’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems under stress, as well as identify subtle lameness that may not be visible at rest.

As part of a five-stage examination, a blood sample is typically taken and stored for a period of time. This sample can be analysed later if needed to detect the presence of substances that may have temporarily masked underlying issues at the time of the examination.

Additional procedures, such as radiography (x-rays) or ultrasound, can be included where appropriate and will always be discussed with you in advance.

Throughout the examination, we maintain clear communication so you understand any findings and their implications for your intended use of the horse.

To find more about the way the examination is performed, download our guidance notes, which are written for both purchasers and veterinary surgeons.