Purchase Exams
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The Prepurchase Exam
A prepurchase examination or "vet check" of a potential horse purchase can identify any physical problems.
Photo by Stephanie L. Church, Editor-in-Chief
Article
Prepurchase Exam
The purchase examination of the horse has become an important part of the horse industry.
Photo by Erica Larson, News Editor
Article
Veterinary Care for the Sport Horse
The goal for sport horses, from prepurchase exams through their careers, is to extend the time to retirement.
Photo by Erica Larson, News Editor
Article
Veterinary Care for the Sport Horse
November 15, 2012
The goal for sport horses, from prepurchase exams through their careers, is to extend the time to retirement.... Read More
Article
Eye Evaluation in Equine Prepurchase Exams
October 21, 2012
While not all eye anomalies are detrimental to vision, others can cause sale talks to cease.... Read More
Article
Selecting a New Horse
January 01, 2012
Important factors to consider when buying a horse include use, conformation, temperament, health, and history.... Read More
Article
Prepurchase Examination Table Topic (AAEP 2011)
December 28, 2011
The main topic discussed was the importance of open communication between the veterinarian and the purchaser.... Read More
Article
Updated BEVA Prepurchase Exam Guidelines in Effect
November 14, 2011
The revised PPE certificate and new guidelines describe how the five-step exam should be carried out.... Read More
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Considerations to Make Before Purchasing a New Horse
October 29, 2011
Before welcoming a new horse home, it is important to investigate the quality and health of that animal.... Read More
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AAEP 2010 Convention Complete Coverage
March 17, 2011
A wrap-up of the 2010 AAEP Convention, including in-depth coverage of nearly 100 presentations and sessions.... Read More
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Lameness: Joints
March 17, 2011
During the 2010 AAEP Convention, veterinarians discussed technologies and treatments for joints and lameness.... Read More
Article
The Prepurchase Exam
March 01, 2011
A prepurchase examination or "vet check" of a potential horse purchase can identify any physical problems. ... Read More
Article
KAEP: Radiograph Reports Not Marketing Tools
June 11, 2010
When shopping for horses at a sale, buyers sometimes ask consignors about the information contained in radiograph reports on the animals instead of hiring a veterinarian to look at the reports in the sale's repository. But according to the Kentucky ... Read More
Article
Retraining Racehorses
June 01, 2010
Racing is a physically demanding sport, and even with the best intentions many racehorses end up with an injury that forces them into retirement from the track. Many horses, with proper treatment and time, can be rehabilitated... Read More
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Lameness Presentations
March 08, 2010
Various topics related to lameness in horses were presented at the 2009 AAEP Convention.... Read More
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Prepurchase Exams
March 08, 2010
A round of the history and pointers for successful prepurchase exams from the 2009 AAEP Convention.... Read More
Article
Prepurchase Exam of the Western Performance Horse, AAEP 2009
January 15, 2010
Tips on proper prepurchase examinations for horses in Western performance disciplines. The horse's physical condition, disposition/attitude, and soundness should be evaluated by your veterinarian before the sale. ... Read More
Article
Prepurchase Exams: History, Important Considerations
January 12, 2010
For more than 150 years veterinarians have been performing prepurchase exams, also referred to as vetting, purchase exams, and soundness exams. The definition of "sound" in England in 1842 implied "an absence of disease" as a qualification for ... Read More
Article
Horse Fraud Trial: Winning the Selleck Case
October 19, 2009
Trial lawyer George Knopfler faced a number of unique challenges beyond simply proving the facts of his case when he represented actor Tom Selleck and his family in a lawsuit alleging fraud in the sale of a show horse. He had to educate a jury... Read More
Article
Lawsuit Claims Racehorse 'I Want Revenge' Injury Not Disclosed
July 16, 2009
IEAH Stables has filed court documents claiming that David Lanzman failed to disclose injuries to I Want Revenge that eventually led to the 3-year-old colt being scratched on the morning of the Kentucky Derby, for which he was the morning-line... Read More
Article
AAEP Issues 'Best Practices' for Purchase Exam Radiographs
June 17, 2009
The American Association of Equine Practitioners' Public Auction Task Force has developed recommendations regarding the use of radiographic reports as part of the prepurchase... Read More
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Performance Horse Forum
March 17, 2009
Performance horse forum leaders at the 2008 AAEP Convention facilitated a discussion.... Read More
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AAEP 2007 Convention Complete Coverage
February 12, 2009
A complete wrap-up of the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention held in Orlando, Fla.... Read More
Article
How Important Is That Airway Exam Grade?
April 17, 2008
The airways of many breeds of horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, are evaluated via an endoscope and graded before sale. The intent is to identify horses whose airways might have problems that could limit the horses' performance at maximal... Read More
Article
Buying a Horse: Tips for First-Time Owners
March 28, 2008
It might be just one horsepower, but before riding off into the sunset on that new horse you've just purchased, make sure you know what you are getting. Michael Martin, DVM, equine field service clinician at Texas A&M University's... Read More
Article
Understanding the Prepurchase Exam
June 26, 2007
The search is over: You've finally found the horse of your dreams. But before you sign the sales contract and load him onto the first trailer headed home, protect yourself with a prepurchase exam. Granted, there's no magic crystal ball there to... Read More
Article
Purchase Exam at Auction (AAEP 2005)
February 17, 2006
While consignors used to hate these exams, they are now very welcoming of it because it's opportunity for them to assess action on the horse (how many people are seriously looking at the horse).... Read More
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Farm Call: Your Questions Answered
Pre-Purchase Exams
Q. Q: Over the years, I've had a number of pre-purchase exams done on my horses. I've come to realize that one vet will read an X ray and say a horse has arthritis, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), navicular problems, etc., but when you have a different vet read the same X rays, they will come up with totally different findings. Why is
Who Owns Radiographs?
Q. Q: My vet took some X rays of my horse's legs. I paid the bill in full, but when I asked for the X rays, he said they belonged to him and not me. Is this correct? If I'm charged for the X rays, why can't I have them? A: Many veterinarians run into this situation, not only equine veterinarians. To the client, it makes sense that he or she would own the radiographs (X rays) since he or she paid...
Buying a Horse/Prepurchase Exams
Q. Q: I'm in the market for my first horse. I've seen people at my barn buy horses, and they always have a veterinarian check the horse over before making the purchase. What exactly does the veterinarian check for and why is this so important? A: For the sake of space and the amount of information available on this topic, this article will deal with the private sale of horses.
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