October 2005

A Horse Can’t “Pass” A Prepurchase Exam

Nor can he “fail” it. The veterinarian can only tell you what he sees at the moment.

Flexion tests can be beneficial, provided the person knows exactly what he is doing and why.

At first glance, a prepurchase examination might seem like a pretty pleasant way for a veterinarian to earn a fee, nothing too strenuous and a good way to spend some time with a client and help them out. But many vets would rather wrestle with a mean bull.

The basic premise of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is that the purpose of a veterinary prepurchase exam is to determine if the horse you’re interested in buying appears to be healthy and sound. The findings of a prepurchase exam apply only to the specific day and time the veterinarian is looking at the horse. The prepurchase examination isn’t supposed to—and…