How Do You Do A Veterinary Prepurchase Exam On A Horse Without A Veterinarian?

Knowing how to do the basic prepurchase exam for a horse is an important part of horse ownership. We highly recommend a veterinarian prepurchase exam prior to the purchase of your new equine companion, as there is no substitute for the expert advice you will receive from a licensed and qualified individual. However, there is nothing wrong with learning the basics of a prepurchase exam and performing one yourself prior to your official veterinary prepurchase exam---this can save you quite a bit of money if the horse fails your initial screening. Below are the steps for a basic prepurchase exam, which can be done when you first go to see the horse prior to calling the vet for the official prepurchase exam complete with digital images. Take in the general appearance of the horse. The horse should be alert but calm. There should be no obvious swellings; the eyes should be bright and clear; and there should be no discharge from the nose. The body condition score of the horse should be ...  more