Professional pre-purchase vettings across Devon and Cornwall. Trusted assessments to help you buy with confidence carried out by experienced equine vets.
Equine Pre-Purchase Examinations Across the South West
At West Ridge Equine, our experienced vets provide thorough pre-purchase examinations for horses across Devon, Cornwall, and the wider South West. We offer both 2-stage and 5-stage examinations, with the option to include full radiography where needed, helping you make informed decisions when buying a horse. While our practice is based in Mid Devon, we regularly travel across Devon and Cornwall to carry out these assessments. To arrange a pre-purchase examination or discuss your requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
A pre-purchase examination is a vital step when buying a horse, especially if you're investing in a high-value animal. Having your prospective horse assessed by a qualified equine vet allows you to identify any underlying health or soundness issues before committing to the purchase. This ensures you’re making an informed decision. These vettings can also be used to assess a horse’s suitability for insurance cover.
West Ridge Equine
5-Stage Pre-Purchase Examination for Horses
Our comprehensive 5-stage vetting is designed to assess the overall health and soundness of a horse before purchase. It includes the following stages:
Initial Clinical Examination: Conducted in the stable, this includes checking the horse’s heart, lungs, eyes, teeth, and limbs before any exercise begins.
Gait Assessment In-Hand: The horse is walked and trotted in-hand to evaluate movement and detect any lameness, including after flexion tests of the joints.
Strenuous Exercise Phase: Usually performed under saddle, this phase involves working the horse at various paces and on both reins to reveal any abnormalities in the respiratory or cardiovascular systems during exertion.
Rest and Identity Check: During the cool-down period, we verify the horse’s identity and documentation, and perform a final visual and physical inspection for lumps, bumps, or signs of stress post-exercise.
Final Trot-Up: The horse is trotted again in-hand to confirm that no new issues have emerged following exercise.
A blood sample is also taken and stored securely in a laboratory to allow for future testing, particularly for substances like phenylbutazone (bute) that could affect the outcome of the examination. Radiographs, if requested, are typically performed at this stage of the vetting.
West Ridge Equine
2-Stage Pre-Purchase Examination for Horses
The 2-stage vetting provides a basic clinical assessment of the horse's health prior to purchase. It includes:
A thorough examination of the heart, lungs, eyes, teeth, and limbs while the horse is at rest in the stable.
A gait assessment involving walk and trot in-hand, including flexion tests to identify any signs of lameness or discomfort.
Verification of the horse’s identity and a review of relevant paperwork.
This option is suitable for horses not yet in full work or where a more limited assessment is appropriate.
West Ridge Equine
Additional Diagnostic Services
Where clinically indicated, advanced diagnostic tools such as radiography (x-rays), ultrasonography (scans), and endoscopy may be incorporated into the pre-purchase examination. These additional procedures allow our vets to investigate specific concerns in more detail, such as joint abnormalities, soft tissue injuries, or respiratory issues.
Including these diagnostics provides a clearer picture of the horse’s health and helps ensure you’re making a fully informed purchase decision. If further investigation is recommended during the examination, we will always discuss the options with you before proceeding.
"Wouldn't trust anyone else with my horses. This practice go above and beyond."
Erika Woolacott
"Gordon went out of his way to help me and my horse after he was going to be pts. He found the problem and saved his life. He is now back out competing! He was super friendly, good with the horse and explained everything."
Zoe Coombes
"Great team, really friendly and always happy to entrust them with the care of our animals. We always feel the team go above and beyond."
Kelsey Baine
"In a world where increasingly it seems that care, efficiency and communication are things of the past, it has been a real comfort to have the West Ridge “team” helping us. We are very grateful to you all - and Finn says “thank you” too!"
Expert equine vets serving Devon and Somerset. We offer routine care, lameness, dentistry, stud services, diagnostics, and 24/7 emergency support — dedicated to your horse’s health and wellbeing.
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