What happens at a five stage vetting
Two to three hours, usually at the seller's yard. You're welcome to be there — most buyers find it the most useful part of the whole purchase.
Initial Clinical Exam
A full clinical examination with the horse at rest. heart, lungs, eyes, mouth, skin, conformation and every lump and scar recorded.
STAGE 1
A two-stage vetting covers stages 1 and 2 only. It's cheaper, and it's a genuine option for some purchases but it can't tell you how a horse works, and most insurers won't accept it. We'll tell you honestly whether it's enough for the horse you're looking at.
STAGE 2
Trot up and gait analysis
In hand on a hard surface, with flexion tests and turns, looking for anything that isn't level.
STAGE 3
Exercise
Ridden or lunged until breathing hard and warm — when problems show that a cold horse hides.
STAGE 4
Rest
Half an hour of monitoring while heart and breathing return to normal.
Second trot up
Trotted again after resting. Stiffness that appears now is the reason this stage exists.
STAGE 5
What we do
The examination
At the seller's yard, anywhere in our patch.
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Five-stage pre-purchase examination
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Two-stage pre-purchase examination
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Limited examination for youngstock and broodmares
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Assessment for your intended discipline
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Written certificate and report
Identity and paperwork
Confirming the horse in front of us is the horse on the passport.
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Passport check and microchip scan
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Age estimation from teeth
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Height measurement (JMB)
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Insurance examination
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Advice on likely insurance exclusions
Going further when it's warranted
Optional, discussed with you beforehand, never assumed.
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Pre-purchase radiographs
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Ultrasound of tendons and ligaments
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Airway endoscopy
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Blood sample taken and stored for six months
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Drug screening
If you're selling
Know what a buyer's vet will find, before they find it.
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Pre-sale health check
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Advice on what a vetting will show
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Second opinion on a vetting you disagree with
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Passport and microchip paperwork
One horse we can't vet for you
If we already treat a horse, we can't examine it for a prospective buyer. Knowing its history makes us the wrong people to give you an independent opinion, and the RCVS is clear about it.
We'll tell you straight away if that's the case, and help you find someone who can.