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Equine Pre-Purchase Exams

Buying a horse is a big decision and it is recommended to have a Pre- Purchase Exam performed to detect any abnormal findings that may impact the future use of the horse. This includes a written report with the findings and professional advice by the vet. For more information, or to book an appointment, please contact us.

5 Stage Pre- Purchase Exam of the Horse

The Equine Veterinarians Australia group (EVA) has made a standard protocol for Pre- Purchase Exams of horses. At Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital we follow this “5-Stage Exam” which includes:

1. Clinical Exam:

  • Eyes
  • Mouth and teeth
  • Skin
  • Hearts & Lungs
  • Feet
  • Tendons, ligaments, backs & musculature

2. Horse in motion

  • Walking, trotting, lungeing, turning, backing
  • Flexion tests
  • Neurological function

3. Fast work/under saddle and cardiorespiratory fitness

4. Assess response & recovery from fast work

5. Special exam/sedation – dental, eyes, ears (head)

  • If indicated X-ray/endoscope/ultrasound can be requested or performed. We now have portable digital radiography for Pre Purchase Exams.

The pre-purchase exam is for the buyer of the horse, not for seller, and the vet performing the exam should not be the regular vet seeing the horse.

The pre-purchase exam does not give a pass or fail outcome. The vet will compose a list in report form stating the findings and the vet will give her opinion on the potential risks or consequences of those findings, or offer further testing if a risk assessment cannot be made on clinical findings alone.

The 5 stage pre purchase exam takes approximately 2 hours to perform. To book your Pre- Purchase Exam, please contact us.

X- RAYS

We now have a new portable digital x-ray machine which means we can come to your property, x-ray your horse and get the images straight away! This aids in diagnostics as we save time and it allows repeated radiographs of a certain area if indicated. The images can then easily be stored digitally at our clinic and/or sent off to other consulting veterinarians if needed. This also serves as an option for a pre-purchase exam where radiopgraphs sometimes may be needed or wanted.

If you want your horse examined and possibly radiographed, don’t hesitate to call us.

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Professional Pet Care

Pet owners trust us to look after the needs of their beloved companions. We are committed to delivering the very highest of veterinary care. If your enquiry is urgent please contact us by Telephone during business hours, or for emergencies please visit the Emergency page.