When buying a first horse there are many things to take into consideration. Where am I going to keep the horse? What do I need to keep it healthy? How much time do I have to dedicate to my new friend? Perhaps the most important question is how do I know that the horse I am buying is fit and well?

The vet check is a really important part of buying a horse and yet many people buy without even thinking of asking their vet to have a look at one of the most expensive things they will ever buy. The reason? Mainly down to money. These checks are not cheap any where from £75 to £250 for a full five step check, and most owners to be want to save that extra bit of money to buy new bits for their horses (no pun intended!)

So why is this check so important? Is it just the vet’s way of getting bigger pay checks? The simple answer is no. Many insurance companies will not insure your horse if this check has not been done. A vet will check many factors when looking at your horse. The first main one is your horse’s teeth. There are many bogus sellers out there would quite happily let you buy an old horse when you believe it is only young. This is fraud, a criminal offense and yet people get away with it all the time. A vet will check your horse’s teeth and ensure that you are not being taken for a ride! (And the puns keep coming!)

So let’s look at the five steps of a vet check;

Stage 1 - Preliminary Stable Examination

The vet will start by examining the horse in its stable to look for any signs of a bad temperament and abnormal behaviors. The vet will then check the general appearance of the horse and check the lungs, heart and eyes. The horse will then be lead outside onto level ground and the vet will check for wounds, feel for heat in the legs and old scars.

Stage 2 - In Hand Examination

The next stage is for the vet to watch the horse being trotted on level hard ground. The vet will watch the horse from behind, the side and front to watch for any signs of stiffness and pain. He will also watch for any awkward movements that may suggest a problem.

Stage 3 - Strenuous Exercise

Unless the horse has been out of work then the vet will watch the horse be put under some strenuous exercise and then check the heart and lungs again. If the horse is unbroken then it will be lunged otherwise it must be ridden

Stage 4 - Rest Period

After completing stage three, the horse will be rested for half an hour and then the vet will check the lungs and heart once more to make sure than its respiratory signs are back to normal. The vet will also take blood tests for iron and blood sugar levels.

Stage 5 - Trotting Up and Foot Examination

The horse will be trotted up again after rested to ensure that no stiffness or lameness has occurred from stage three.

The vet will then fill in all the documents and give the horse a pass or a fail. The vet will point out any potential health worries and inform the buyer of whether they believe the horse is suitable for what the buyer what’s to use the horse for. If the horse has a health problem the vet may suggest further tests to make sure the illness is understood properly before it is brought.

Buying a horse is a huge financial commitment. You wouldn't buy a house without a survey and yet a horse can live longer than the average mortgage. It may be an extra cost but vet bills with no insurance will cost a lot more! This reporter definitely agrees; DON'T TAKE THE BET WITHOUT THE GOOD OLD VET CHECK!!