» Equine Pre Purchase Examinations

Equine Pre Purchase Examinations

28th November 2017 by Andrew Turkington

The practice can carry out an examination for pre purchase or insurance purposes. A full five stage examination is recommended before purchase, although we can carry out a two stage examination if needed but you will be required to sign a disclaimer stating you have only require a two stage examination. Veterinarians have developed a general routine of examination which has been found to be satisfactory as a means of detecting signs of disease and injury.

The full five stage examination consists of:

Stage 1 – Preliminary examination
This is a methodical examination of the animal’s body to assess general appearance and condition. It includes examination of the teeth, the resting heart, the eyes by ophthalmoscope, the skin, the limbs and feet and flexion of the limb joints to reveal pain or limitation of movement.

Stage 2 – Trotting up
The animal is walked and trotted on hard, level ground in order to detect gross abnormalities of gait and action.

Stage 3 – Strenuous exercise
The animal is given sufficient strenuous exercise (1) to make it breathe deeply and rapidly so that any unusual breathing sounds may be heard; (2) to increase the action of the heart so that abnormalities may be more easily detected; and (3) to tire the animal so that strains or injuries may be revealed by stiffness or lameness after a period of rest.

Stage 4 – A period of rest
The horse is allowed to stand quietly for a period. During this time the breathing and the heart are checked as they return to their resting levels.

Stage 5 – The second trot and foot examination
The horse is walked and trotted again, turned sharply and backed, in order to reveal abnormalities exacerbated by the strenuous exercise stage.

If you require a pre purchase examination please contact our cookstown surgery tel 028 867 65766 to book a visit or email cookstown@parklandsvets.co.uk, and a member of the office team will call you back with available dates and times.