Pre-Purchase Vettings
Pre-purchase ‘vetting’
When buying a horse, it is essential that you aren’t presented with any complications after you take on the mantle of ownership. We offer a pre-purchase examination to help you achieve this.
We currently offer both two-stage and five-stage vetting. Both involve a clinical examination, trot up, and the taking and storing of a blood sample. Any testing of these samples will incur additional fees.
If you are purchasing a ridden horse, we would recommend a five-stage vetting as more potential problems can be found during the vigorous exercise phase, recovery and second trot up.
Two-stage vetting is suitable for unbacked horses, or if a problem is found in the first stages that prevents us continuing. If you chose to have a two-stage vetting, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer form to accept the additional risks of conditions that may affect the horse’s suitability for purchase not being found.
The five stages
Stage 1: Full clinical examination
Stage 2: Trot up
Stage 3: Exercise phase
Stage 4: Rest and recovery phase
Stage 5: Second trot up