Getting a Horse or Pony Vetted Before Purchase: Essential Guide

If you're thinking about buying a horse or pony for yourself or your child, it's vital to ensure that you make the right choice. Vetting the animal before purchase helps you avoid unexpected health problems and assess its suitability, ensuring you get value for your money and peace of mind. Many riders also consider consulting a riding instructor or equestrian expert alongside vetting for extra assurance.

What Does ‘Vetting’ Mean?

Vetting refers to a thorough health check performed by an equine veterinary surgeon to assess a horse or pony’s general health, soundness, and conformation. The vet provides a detailed report outlining any existing or potential issues and advises on the horse's suitability for various activities, such as light hacking, competition, or breeding. This process helps buyers make an informed decision based on expert analysis.

How the Vetting Process Works

It's common to see adverts stating a horse or pony is ‘open to any vet,’ meaning the seller allows a vetting before purchase. If this is not specified, don't hesitate to ask. A refusal to permit vetting should be treated as a red flag. Typically, you will have visited and possibly ridden the horse several times, sometimes accompanied by a trusted instructor or experienced friend, before entering price negotiations.

Before paying for the vetting exam, it's wise to agree in writing that any purchase offer is conditional on a successful vetting. This agreement usually involves a deposit to take the animal off the market during the examination. If the seller refuses, consider walking away to avoid investing in vetting only to lose the horse to another buyer.

Choosing Your Vet

Ensure you choose the veterinary surgeon who will perform the vetting, not the seller’s vet, to maintain an unbiased assessment. You are responsible for the vetting cost. The seller should cooperate by making the horse or pony accessible. Be cautious if the seller is uncooperative, as this may suggest hidden issues.

Understanding Veterinary Reports

Vets provide an expert opinion rather than a simple pass or fail. Their report highlights any health or soundness concerns, often noting minor issues or potential risks as they must protect themselves legally. An unequivocally perfect report is very rare and not expected.

Use the report to guide your decision—if serious problems emerge, you can walk away; if minor issues appear, you may negotiate a better price. Discuss with the seller beforehand what conditions are deal breakers to ensure fairness and transparency.

Types of Vetting and What to Expect

Vetting usually falls into two categories:

• Two-stage Vetting: A basic examination checking general health and soundness without intense exercise.
• Five-stage Vetting: A comprehensive assessment including exercise tests, flexion tests, and detailed physical exams to evaluate potential athletic capability and risks.

The vet may check conformation, listen to heart and lungs, inspect limbs, and observe the horse at rest and in motion. They will tailor the exam based on the horse’s intended use, which you should communicate clearly.

Benefits and Limitations of Vetting

Pre-purchase vetting offers peace of mind and can save considerable time and money by revealing conditions that might affect suitability or value. However, it is important to remember:

• Vetting is a snapshot of health at the time of examination and cannot guarantee the horse’s future condition.
• Some conditions, especially internal, may not be detectable during the exam.
• The vet assesses health and soundness but does not evaluate rideability or behavioural traits.

Costs and Legal Considerations

The cost varies depending on the extent of the vetting but is generally modest relative to the price of the horse. Written agreements clearly stating the conditional nature of the purchase protect both buyer and seller. Involving a solicitor for high-value purchases is advisable.

Final Tips for Buyers

• Attend the vetting yourself to discuss findings directly with the vet.
• Use your own trusted vet where possible to ensure an independent opinion.
• Be clear with the seller about your conditions for purchase to avoid misunderstandings.
• Consider additional expert opinions from riding instructors or breeders to complement veterinary assessments.

In summary, vetting a horse or pony before purchase is a crucial step ensuring animal welfare, financial prudence, and suitability for your needs. It supports responsible ownership and helps you form a long-lasting partnership with your new equine companion.