Pre-Purchase Examinations: An Historical Perspective and Important Things to Consider*

A brief history of pre-purchase examinations followed by an emphasis on how to eliminate problems while performing the exams will be discussed. Areas of concern include the veterinarian/client relationship, the veterinarian’s expertise in the athletic discipline for which the horse will be used, obtaining complete and accurate information about the horse’s medical history, if possible, and reporting to and interpreting for the buyer what information has been learned. These topics are named the four Ds: discovery, documentation, disclosure, and discussion. If they are done well, the fifth D—deposition—will be avoided! Thoughtfully conducted pre-purchase examinations can be of great service to the buyer, seller, and the veterinarian. Whether the horse is purchased or not after the examination, all three parties can be better informed and well served by a careful examination. The following descriptions of pre-purchase examinations can equally be applied to pre-lease examinations. However, in general, in a pre-lease examination, the horse can be held to a somewhat lower standard, because of the shorter serviceability period that will be needed. Author’s address: 2561 Bedford Mews Drive, Wellington, Florida 33414; e-mail: [email protected]. © 2009 AAEP.