I recently asked Dr. Guardia of Guardia Equine Sports Medicine, a mobile equine veterinarian in Houston, the top 5 Reasons for a Pre-Purchase Exam.

Dr. Guardia shared some of the top reasons she believes a pre-purchase exam is important when buying a horse.

Reason #1:

To make sure you know what you are getting. Horse are great at disguising issues that they may have, often time it is not easy to tell what all is happening physically from looking on the outside. It is also pretty common for a horse’s medical history to be unknown or not given when a horse is purchased. A pre-purchase exam can help to find any issues that may already exist and the degree of maintenance that will be required. These are all factors that influence the decision to buy.

Reason #2:

Resale value. If there is an abnormality at the time of purchase it allows you to be able to show the progression should it arise in a future pre-purchase exam. This can help future buyers make an educated decision on any issues.

Reason #3:

Insurance Purposes. Many insurance agencies require a total physical exam before a horse can be insured.

Reason #4:

Temperament. If the horse tolerates the exam with flexions, radiographs, and possible blood draws then you will have a much better idea of its temperament. This experience can be a good way to tell the horse’s training, temperament, and sensibility, even sometimes much more so than riding it a few times.

Reason #5:

Breeding. If the horse if a mare or stallion, even if you don’t plan on breeding them, a breeding sounds exam should be done for potential added value in the future.

To schedule your Pre-Purchase exam with Dr. Guardia of Guardia Equine Sports Medicine, Houston,TX Mobile Veterinarian, give her a call at (713) 249-1648 or contact her through her website.