What to look for at a pre-purchase vet check
Published 2026-08-15
A pre-purchase examination (PPE), often called a vet check, is one of the most useful steps you can take before buying a horse. It does not guarantee that a horse will never go lame or develop a problem, but it gives you an independent picture of its health and suitability for the job you have in mind.
The key is to treat the PPE as a decision-making tool, not a pass-or-fail test. Be clear with the veterinarian about what you plan to do with the horse, attend if you can, and make sure you understand the findings before handing over money.
Start with the right vet and a clear brief
Use a veterinarian who is independent of the seller, selling agent, trainer and regular treating practice where possible. A vet who has no prior relationship with the horse can provide the clearest independent assessment. In some areas, especially regional NSW, VIC and QLD, that may mean arranging a vet from a nearby town and allowing enough time before transport or settlement.
When booking, tell the vet exactly what you want the horse for. A quiet trail horse, a junior showjumper, a high-level eventer and a breeding mare have very different physical demands. The vet needs that context to interpret findings sensibly.
Give the vet details such as:
- The horse’s age, breed, sex and height
- The intended discipline and expected level of work
- Whether the horse will be for a child, adult amateur or professional rider
- Any known history of lameness, injury, colic, surgery, medication or behavioural issues
- Whether the horse is currently in work, spelling, barefoot or shod
- Your concerns from the trial ride, such as stiffness, wind, head tossing or reluctance to load
Ask the seller for the horse’s passport or registration papers where relevant, microchip information, vaccination record, dental history and any available veterinary records. The seller should also disclose known conditions and treatments. If paperwork is incomplete, that does not automatically rule out a purchase, but it is worth noting and discussing.
Understand what a standard PPE usually includes
A standard PPE is commonly carried out in stages. The exact format varies between practices and veterinarians, so ask what is included when you book. You can also request additional tests or imaging, usually at extra cost.
The examination generally starts with identification and a general health assessment. The vet may check the microchip, age estimate from teeth, body condition, heart, lungs, eyes, skin, temperature and overall demeanour. They will look for signs of previous surgery, lumps, scars, asymmetry and skin disease.
A detailed musculoskeletal assessment is a major part of most PPEs. This may include observing the horse standing, walking and trotting on a firm surface, often in straight lines and circles. The vet may assess the feet, shoeing, hoof balance, joints, tendons, ligaments, back and neck.
Flexion tests are often used as part of the lameness assessment. A limb is flexed for a short period, then the horse is trotted away. A reaction can provide useful information, but it must be interpreted in context. Surface, fitness, conformation, temperament and the horse’s normal way of going can affect the result. One positive response is not necessarily a diagnosis, and one negative response is not a lifelong guarantee.
Depending on the horse and location, the vet may also request to see it worked under saddle or on the lunge. This can be particularly helpful for performance horses, although a veterinary examination is not the same as assessing rideability, training or suitability for your riding ability.
Pay attention to the feet, movement and respiratory system
Feet deserve close attention because they influence comfort, soundness and ongoing management. Ask the vet to explain hoof balance, sole depth, frog condition, hoof wall quality and any signs of chronic changes. If the horse is shod, find out how regularly it is trimmed or shod and whether specialised shoeing is required.
Watch the horse move yourself as well, before and during the examination if practical. You are not trying to diagnose lameness; you are noting whether what you see matches the horse you trialled and the seller’s description. Observe it on a straight line, both reins on the lunge if appropriate, and under saddle if that is part of the plan.
Respiratory noise, coughing, poor recovery after work or nasal discharge should be raised with the vet. A horse intended for competition, endurance, polo or regular hard work may need more investigation than a horse intended for light pleasure riding. Depending on the concern, the vet may recommend further assessment such as an upper airway examination or a scope.
Also ask about the eyes. Eye examination can identify obvious abnormalities, but vision and future eye health can be complex. If there is a concern, the vet may suggest referral or further testing rather than making a quick conclusion on the day.
Consider blood tests and targeted imaging
Many buyers choose to have blood taken and stored at the time of the PPE. This sample can be tested later if there is a reason to suspect the horse was affected by medication or another substance at the examination. Confirm with the vet how long the sample will be retained, what testing can be arranged, and what extra costs may apply.
Radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy and other diagnostics are not automatically needed for every horse. They may be sensible where the horse’s intended work is demanding, its history raises questions, the vet finds something on examination, or the purchase price means you need more detail before proceeding.
Common examples include:
- X-rays of feet, hocks, stifles or fetlocks for a competition prospect
- Ultrasound of tendons or ligaments where there is thickening, heat or a previous injury history
- Back or neck imaging when there are clinical findings that warrant it
- Endoscopy for horses with respiratory noise or high-performance plans
- Reproductive examination for a mare bought primarily for breeding
More imaging does not remove all uncertainty. It can reveal changes that may never affect the horse, while some future problems cannot be predicted. Ask the vet to explain what a finding means for the intended use, likely management, possible progression and whether a specialist opinion is worthwhile.
Ask questions before you decide
Try to be present for the discussion at the end of the PPE, even if you cannot attend the entire examination. Ask the vet to separate significant findings from minor observations and to explain them in everyday language.
Useful questions include:
- Is this horse suitable for the job I described today?
- Which findings are normal wear and tear, and which are more concerning?
- What management, shoeing, medication or follow-up might be needed?
- Could this affect insurance, agistment arrangements or transport planning?
- Would you recommend further tests before I proceed?
- If this were your horse for my intended purpose, what would you investigate further?
The vet should provide a written report. Read it carefully, including any limitations of the examination. A PPE reflects the horse’s condition on that day, under those conditions. It cannot assess every internal structure, predict accidents, or guarantee future performance.
If the report identifies a concern, pause rather than rush. You may decide to seek additional diagnostics, renegotiate, insure with exclusions in mind, or walk away. There is no shame in deciding a horse is not the right risk for your budget, experience or goals.
Keep the sale process sensible and documented
Ideally, organise the PPE before final payment and before the horse leaves the seller’s property. Put the arrangement in writing: who is paying for the examination, what happens if further tests are recommended, and when the deposit becomes refundable or non-refundable. Contract terms can vary, so read them carefully and seek legal advice if the purchase is substantial or complicated.
Do not rely on a passed vet check alone. Combine it with several trial rides where possible, a check of the horse’s identity and ownership, honest conversations about history, and a realistic look at ongoing costs. Feed, farriery, dentistry, rugs, insurance, agistment and float access all matter after the sale.
A careful PPE is an investment in making a more informed choice, not a barrier to buying a horse you like. Browse horses for sale at Hooflist.