Mastering the Pre-Purchase Horse Exam: A Buyer's Guide

A Pre-Purchase Exam, or PPE, is a comprehensive health and soundness evaluation of the horse conducted by a qualified veterinarian. A PPE provides a current health snapshot, not a guarantee of future health. It can detect past and current health issues and help you decide if they predict future issues.

Since there is no “perfect horse,” the results almost always find issues. Whether or not they are deal breakers, is where the analysis and accurate interpretation come in. .

Before You Request a Pre-Purchase Exam

If you're considering a Pre-Purchase Exam (PPE) for a horse, it's likely you've already had a chance to meet and ride the horse, finding its temperament, training, and riding suitability in line with your expectations.

The Seller should disclose any known issues to you, including past or present health issues or trips to the vet.

If you’re an inexperienced buyer, try to find someone who knows more about horses to take with you. Interpretation of the results is key.

There is no “perfect” horse, and it’s not uncommon for an inexperienced buyer to walk away from a perfectly good horse because they are misinterpreting the information.

The biggest consideration is purpose. What do you want to use the horse for? A PPE may find something that would not be good for a race horse, but would be find for a trail horse.

Questions To Ask Before Buying a Horse

Before you arrange a PPE, think about these questions to guide you in your decision-making process:

What do I intend to use this horse for? Consider its potential role, whether it's for reining, jumping, trail riding, or another activity.
How long do I expect the horse to maintain this level of performance?
What health or behavioral issues am I willing to accept?
Which problems would lead me to reconsider the purchase?
How much can I allocate for the Pre-Purchase Exam?
Am I willing and able to pay for extra tests or diagnostic procedures?
How does your own riding ability align with the horse's characteristics and needs?
Does your trainer play a part in the decision to purchase this horse?
What is your financial situation, especially concerning ongoing care and potential long-term costs for any pre-existing conditions the horse may have?

Answering these questions will help you make a well-informed decision about whether to proceed with the PPE and the potential purchase of the horse.

When to Skip the PPE

While a PPE is a good idea for many Buyers, there are some cases where it’s not worth the cost or the hassle.

Because they are expensive and it takes an experienced horseman and vet to interpret the results, some Buyers choose not to order a PPE.

A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 25% of the horse’s cost with the PPE. You can easily exceed $2000 in X-rays and blood work for a horse that only costs $1000.

Buying a Horse: The Pre-Purchase Exam

Many vet’s offer a Standard PPE and you can request additional tests and exams as you need to. The exact components of the examination may differ depending on the vet, but all PPE should include the following:

A PPE can show everything. Between X-rays, blood work, and hoof testing, you can end up feeling like the horse has so many problems, it’s a risk not worth taking.

But on the other hand, many inexperienced buyers walk away from perfectly good horses because they don’t understand what the results actually mean. So make sure you have an experienced vet (who’s on your side!) evaluating the horse.

Choose Your Own Vet for a Pre-Purchase Exam

If you don’t already have a veterinarian you know and trust, make sure to find one who specializes in equine care and has experience in the horse's breed. If you can’t bring your own vet, because the horse is too far away, you’ll need to find one in the area.

Make sure the vet isn’t associated with the buyer, doesn’t perform routine care for the horse, and won’t have any biases.

Before you start, make sure your vet understands your expectations and any specific concerns you have. Your vet should only report back to you directly, not to a trainer or the Seller.

Always choose an independent vet, don’t use the Seller’s vet
Choose a vet that specializes in the horse’s breed or discipline
The vet should report to you directly, not go through the Seller, Trainer, or an Agent
When choosing a vet, make sure they have access to a portable X-ray machine, just in case
Find out the cost of the standard PPE and any additional add-ons

Eye Exam

An eye exam is part of the physical exam in a standard PPE. It can detect somewhat common conditions, like Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU), or moon blindness, which can cause recurring inflammation, risking permanent damage and potential blindness.

Symptoms to watch for include discomfort in bright light, squinting, excessive tearing, and redness.

Other vision problems include cataracts or eye injuries, and behavioral signs like clumsiness or skittishness can indicate vision issues. A thorough eye exam may be an add-on, but watching for behavior issues can help you and your vet decide if it’s necessary.

Make sure your vet completes an eye exam as part of the physical exam
Be aware of signs of ERU, such as discomfort in bright light, squinting, excessive tearing, redness
Look for signs of blindness or vision impairment, such as unusual clumsiness, harm itself unintentionally, show hesitation in moving, or display skittish behavior that seems out of character.

Respiratory Health

Assessing respiratory health is part of the physical exam. It’s important when evaluating overall health, performance, and endurance.

Look for a detailed respiratory check, which includes your vet listening to the horse’s lungs and trachea while at rest and during activity
Follow up on any unusual respiratory sounds your vet reports. Wheezing or crackles usually indicate a respiratory illness or infection.

Lameness Exam

A lameness exam finds issues related to movement and gait. Problems in these areas can be anything from minor issues to deal breakers.

Be sure the vet assesses the horse's movement on a hard surface, typically including both static and dynamic observations. This involves watching the horse walk and trot, both in a straight line and in a circle.
Pay attention to irregularities. The focus is on identifying any unevenness, stiffness, or signs of discomfort in the horse's gait, which can indicate underlying lameness.
Radiographs (X-rays) or ultrasound imaging may be needed for a more comprehensive examination of areas of concern. This is an add-on.
Get a flexion test. The vet performs flexion tests by bending the horse's joints for a specific period, then observing the movement afterwards. This helps identify any discomfort or lameness that may not be obvious otherwise. The results can be dependent on the pressue the vet uses and the age of the horse.

Flexion Tests in the PPE

Flexion tests are a little controversial. They can provide valuable information about the animal's joint health and potential issues. But the results can be affected by the horse’s age and how much pressure the vet uses.

Joint Flexing: The vet flexes one or more of the horse's leg joints, such as the knee or fetlock, maintaining this position for approximately 30 to 90 seconds.
Post-Flexing Observation: After the joint is released, the horse is led to trot, allowing the vet to watch for any signs of lameness or discomfort that might arise from the flexion.
Watch for discomfort. A horse showing discomfort during a flexion test doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem but signals the need for further investigation in that area.

While there may be some debate regarding their interpretation, a flexion test may give you some good information about the horse's physical condition. But always consdier the results as part of a holistic examination of the horse's soundness and well-being.

Hoof Testing

The health of a horse's hooves is a part of his overall well-being, making hoof testing a critical component of the pre-purchase exam.

Your vet will have a specialized tool called hoof testers to apply pressure to different areas of the hoof looking for areas of discomfort. This helps in identifying any sensitivity, which can be a sign of issues like bruising or heel pain.
Besides looking for pain, your vet also examines the hooves for structural soundness and balance.
Choose a vet who is experienced with hoof testing and interpreting the results

Radiographs

Radiographs, or X-rays, are an add-on and come with an added expense. They offer a comprehensive view of the horse’s skeletal structure and almost always show something in the bones or joints. Again, there is no “perfect” horse. Take the results with a big dose of analysis.

Your vet can use X-rays to closely examine specific areas, such as the legs or spine, to assess the bone structure and identify abnormalities or damage.
X-rays are a good tool to detect conditions like arthritis or detecting past fractures.
Not every horse needs X-rays, but they’re advisable for horses with a history of lameness or those destined for high-performance activities
When choosing a vet, make sure they have access to a portable X-ray machine

Blood and Coggins Tests in Horse PPE

Blood and Coggins tests are an add-on to the stanard PPE. It’s a specific blood tests that can detect equine diseases and viruses.

This specific blood test is needed to detect Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a serious viral disease. It is a mandatory test for horses that are being transported internationally or to different facilities.
Your vet might request additional blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and a blood chemistry panel, to evaluate further
Drug testing checks for the presence of medications like painkillers or sedatives, which could be used to mask pain or behavioral issues.

Other things to Consider When Buying a Horse

When you go to look at a horse, there’s a few things to notice in your evaluation.

Responsiveness: Does the horse respond to cues or seem overly lethargic? A quick response within three seconds is a good sign of a healthy, attentive horse.
Behavioral Cues: Look for signs of fear or punishment in their reaction. Sudden, jerky movements can be red flags.
Relaxed vs. Drugged: A relaxed horse can still be attentive and responsive when prompted. By contrast, a drugged horse might show little to no reaction. Seller’s have been known to give horses sedatives to keep them calm during an evaluation.
Ride the horse: Always ride the horse and have the vet watch you ride the horse. Some problems are only obvious when the added weight of a saddle and rider are added to the horse.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the decision to buy a horse is significant and shouldn't be taken lightly. Use the PPE as a tool to make an informed choice, keeping in mind your current and future goals. Even if a horse passes (or fails) the PPE, always trust your instincts and consider the long-term implications of your purchase.

Richard Sutherland

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Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.