One of the additional services we can offer at Minster Equine is vetting for owners and vendors.

The vetting procedure is a process laid down by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to standardise examination.

Before requesting a pre-purchase examination it is worth considering the following points:

1. Is the horse fit to be examined?

A 5-stage vetting cannot be performed on an unbroken or unhandled youngster If the horse is known to be lame, then little point in a Vet going out until it is sound again, similarly if the horse is unwell.

2. Is the vendor an existing client?

Where possible we try not to examine horses that are owned by an existing client of the practice, for reasons of a potential conflict of interest. We will declare this to the potential purchaser and sometimes they prefer to proceed but it can cause awkwardness with an existing client if we “fail” their horse, so in most occasions we will refer the potential purchaser to another local veterinary practice.

3. Are the premises at where the examination is taking place suitable?

We will need:

  • A stable, preferably one where reduced or lower light levels are possible for full examination of the eyes
  • A long straight level firm surface for the trot-up
  • Somewhere suitable for lunging and the strenuous exercise phase
  • A level firm surface for lunging on a firm surface
  • Someone suitable to ride or lunge the horse

If the horse you wish to purchase is at a premises which is not suitable for a vetting then we can perform the examination at the clinic, although there are limited facilities for ridden exercise but the lunging pen usually provides an excellent surface for a period of strenuous exercise.

4. Has the horse been shod recently?

We prefer the horse to have been shod within the previous 4 weeks so that loose shoes or over-long feet etc do not compromise the examination.

5. Has the horse got a valid passport?

It is illegal to sell a horse if it does not have a legal and valid passport. Make the vendor (person selling the horse) aware of this and ask them to have the passport present at the vetting.