"Don't Buy a Lemon"
Leah C. Gray, DVM, diplomate ACVIM

Since most of the prepurchase examinations that I perform are on performance horses, I start out with the soundness part of the exam. This includes close inspection at conformation (bowed tendons, evidence of angular limb deformities, chronic laminitis, contracted tendons, contracted heels, sheared heels, joint distension, deep scars, musculoskeletal asymmetry, evidence of "nerving," etc.) and watching the horse travel in a straight line and a circle at the walk and trot. If warranted, the horse is examined under saddle. In a systematic approach, I then perform hoof tester exams on all four feet, assessing sensitivity of the toe, bars, sole, and heel regions. Next, are flexion tests (all four fetlock/distal extremity flexions, carpal flexions, and hock/stifle/hip flexions==spavin tests). These assess joint pain and can also detect suspensory ligament or tendinous injuries. If these tests are positive, meaning that an unsoundness is detected, then I usually halt the examination. At that time, I discuss options with the buyer and the seller. If there is any doubt about the soundness of the horse, then the buyer may wish to back out of the sale. Alternatively, the seller may wish to pursue a complete lameness evaluation to determine the cause of the unsoundness, using nerve blocks and radiographs. Furthermore, if the horse is sound or unsound, I always offer the buyer joint study radiographs.

If the horse is determined sound based on the above examination, then the rest of the physical examination is performed. This includes cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, lymphatics, dental, ophthalmic, otoscopic, genital/urinary, and the nervous system. Depending on the intended use, e.g. breeding purposes, a complete breeding soundness examination may be done including semen evaluation for stallions and a reproductive ultrasound examination for mares.

If you are purchasing a certain type of breed or a horse that has done a certain type of work, then there are specific clinical signs to evaluate. A few examples are as follows: Appaloosas and "moon blindness" or equine recurrent uveitis; Quarter Horses and navicular disease; obese or overweight horses and laminitis; Rocky Mountain horses and ophthalmic abnormalities; reigning or cutting horses with spavin or degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the hocks; young fast growing Warmbloods or Thorougbreds with evidence of wobbler syndrome (cervical vertebral instability or cervical stenotic myelopathy); any fast growing young horse with joint distension or lameness that is at risk for developmental orthopedic disease (OCD, physitis, epiphysitis).

Please call us at PRAIRIE EQUINE HOSPITAL if you are planning to purchase a new horse.