Purchasing a horse can be a prolonged, emotionally-draining, and expensive endeavor. It is not uncommon for an equestrian to spend several weeks of time and upwards of $3000, only to eventually discover that one or more issues will likely hinder the prospective horse’s ability to perform as predicted. As a result, both the buyer’s enthusiasm and budget are diminished as sights are set on the next potential candidate.
Appropriate prepurchase evaluation usually comprises comprehensive physical examination, passive and active soundness assessment, diagnostic imaging (radiographic, ultrasonographic, nuclear scintigraphic), endoscopy, blood work, and detailed knowledge of the horse’s history. Remote prepurchase assessment serves to actuate each component of the evaluation independently and methodically, thereby ensuring that no time or money is spent prematurely or unnecessarily throughout the process. Accordingly, the typical horse buyer can explore far more animals at a fraction of the cost. The major expense associated with on-site examination and diagnostic imaging is appropriately reserved for only those candidates that have not been previously excluded through preemptive appraisal.
The primary objective of prepurchase assessment is to determine an individual horse’s suitability for our client. This requires that we consider the horse’s level of health and soundness within the context of our buyer’s expectations.
We don’t “pass or fail” horses, nor do we advocate pursuing or abandoning their purchase. Rather, we do our best to identify, isolate, and report any issues as they arise, thereby enabling our clients to make educated decisions with respect to proceeding to the next step of the process.
If the horse is eventually purchased, we employ our findings to draft an effective strategy for keeping the animal healthy and sound over the long-term.
How it Works
Start at the Top and Work Clockwise
Find Your Prospect
The prospective buyer (and trainer if possible) evaluate a pool of candidates and choose their favorite(s).
Ride the Horse
If feasible, the buyer visits the horse in person to assess looks, personality, ground manners, and performance under saddle.
Acquire Photos & Video
The buyer procures photographic images and video footage of the horse for the purpose of telemedical assessment. In cases in which the buyer is unable to visit the horse in-person and acquire his/her own footage, the seller is summoned to provide the images. You can download our SELLER REQUEST FOR IMAGES letter below.
Submit Photos & Video for Review
Meticulous analysis of the horse’s gait is performed remotely with the intention of identifying altered movement (lameness) and/or abnormalities that could hamper the horse’s ability to perform as intended. Potential “deal-breakers” are identified as well as those issues that might require long-term medical management.
Procure Available Diagnostic Images
The buyer requests that the seller provide any diagnostic imaging studies that already exist and that may available for preemptive interpretation.
Submit Available Diagnostic Images
Radiographs, sonograms, scintigrams, MRI images, etc. that have been previously acquired are individually evaluated and potential correlations between cinematographic (video) and diagnostic image (usually radiographic) findings are made in an attempt to apply clinical significance (or insignificance) to any abnormalities that were detected.
Ask the Seller to Provide the Horse's Medical & Treatment History
Further correlations may be made between current cinematographic findings, diagnostic image abnormalities, and previously-known issues.
Determine Whether or Not to Pursue Full On-Site Prepurchase Examination
The average buyer has spent less than $350 up to this point in the process.
Summon a Local Veterinarian to Perform On-Site Prepurchase Examination
Make sure that the local veterinarian has no conflict-of-interest(s) with respect to examining the horse. During evaluation, specific attention is applied to areas of concern generated during preemptive assessment, thereby fine-tuning the process. We enjoy an opportunity to review video footage and diagnostic images relating to the on-site examination. You can download our VETERINARY REQUEST FOR IMAGES letter below.
Wait for Your Prepurchase Report
Clinical impressions and opinions regarding the horse’s health and soundness are formulated by the on-site prepurchase veterinarian, and serve to influence the degree of relevance relating to each item of concern generated by preceding telemedical assessment.
Consider Further Investigation
If deemed necessary by the on-site and telemedical veterinary teams, further diagnostics (endoscopy, radiology, bloodwork, etc.) are performed to further clarify various aspects of the horse’s overall health and soundness.
The buyer can suspend or abandon the prepurchase process at any point, thereby ensuring that no time nor money is wasted unnecessarily.
The objective of remote prepurchase assessment is to keep prepurchase costs under $350 until we are somewhat confident that the horse will eventually satisfy the buyer’s requisites. This amounts to approximately 10% of the comprehensive cost for on-site prepurchase evaluation (with diagnostic imaging).
Request Letters (Downloadable)
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION:
When possible, we always enjoy the opportunity to apply clinical significance (or insignificance) to any radiographic abnormality, especially if it is associated with a high-motion area (such as a joint). This is most easily achieved via concurrent video analysis of the horse in motion. Remember, the horse doesn’t know what it’s radiographic study looks like, but will certainly express corresponding lameness if it exists. Radiographic lesions that can be linked to a visible gait deficit carry clinical significance and warrant further consideration when they are discovered within the scope of prepurchase examination. Radiographic lesions that are not expressed in the moving horse, on the other hand, may not demand as much of the buyer’s attention.
See this RELATED ARTICLE for more information pertaining to our interpretation of prepurchase radiographic images.
For buyers seeking a resale project, we tend to apply more significance to radiographic abnormalities, even if correlating clinical symptoms are not evident. This is because we have to consider how the subsequent veterinarian (the one that will perform the examination for the next buyer) will interpret any changes. Equine veterinarians often have divergent opinions regarding certain radiographic anomalies, and therefore are influenced to varying degrees when it comes to formulating an overall impression of the horse. A radiographic lesion may not engender current or future symptoms, for instance, but it could certainly impact the horse’s future salability if it’s ugly enough.
Contact
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How may we be of assistance? Send us an email or drop us a line. We’ll respond as quickly as we can.
- info@soundhorseadvice.com
- (678) 867-2577
- 464 Heron Lane, Friday Harbor, WA 98250