Pre-Purchase Exams
A thorough head-to-hoof evaluation before you buy or lease, with digital radiographs, gait analysis and blood work.
Buying or leasing a horse is a big commitment. Conejo Valley Equine offers detailed, thorough pre-purchase exams that give you an independent veterinary assessment of the horse’s health and soundness on the day of the exam, so you can decide with clear information.
The clinical and moving exam
Every pre-purchase exam includes a comprehensive ophthalmic, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic and musculoskeletal examination. It evaluates:
- The horse’s conformation
- Body condition
- Vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature)
- The respiratory system
- The cardiovascular system
- The gastrointestinal system
- The neurological system
- The reproductive system
- Oral and dental exam
- Ophthalmic exam
- Lameness exam, including hoof testers and flexion tests
The soundness portion evaluates the horse on soft and hard surfaces, in straight lines and on the lunge in circles, with flexion tests of all four limbs. If you request it, the horse can also be examined under saddle.
Optional diagnostics
After the clinical exam, the horse can go on to radiographs and additional tests. The right scope depends on how the horse is used now and how you plan to use it, and our veterinarians are happy to help you decide what will best suit your needs.
- Gait analysis report (Sleip or Equinosis Q): sensor-based measurement of the horse’s movement that quantifies symmetry, stride characteristics and limb loading. It can reveal subtle asymmetry the naked eye may miss, support a clinical decision or establish baseline performance data.
- CBC and chemistry: a complete blood count screens for inflammatory or infectious disease and anemia; the chemistry panel shows organ function (kidney, liver and muscle enzymes) and electrolytes.
- Drug screen: a comprehensive screen for performance-modifying drugs, such as pain medication, sedation or local anesthetics, that could change our interpretation of the horse. We don’t store serum for drug screens to be run later, because testable medications can deteriorate in a stored sample.
- Coggins test: required if the horse will cross state lines after the sale, and for some horse shows. Results usually take 3–5 days, or 1–3 days for a stat test.
- Health certificate: required for interstate travel.
Radiographs
Our digital radiography equipment provides top-quality images that can be viewed in the field immediately. Standard pre-purchase radiographs include the front feet, fetlocks, hocks and stifles, and the knees (carpi), neck and back can be added. Radiographs are sent to a board-certified radiologist for review, so the full report can take up to 48 hours; a rush review is available.
Front feet
Four views of each front foot: lateral, dorsopalmar, dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique and skyline.
Front fetlocks
Four views of each: lateral, dorsopalmar, and medial and lateral 45° obliques.
Hind fetlocks
Four views of each, or an abbreviated two-view series.
Knees (carpi)
Four views of each: lateral, dorsopalmar, and medial and lateral obliques, plus flexed or skyline views if indicated.
Hocks
Four views of each: lateral, dorsoplantar, and medial and lateral obliques.
Stifles
Three views of each: lateral, caudocranial and medial oblique.
Neck and back
Cervical (neck) and back radiographs are available on request.
Discounted radiograph packages are available, from an abbreviated full set to a comprehensive series covering the front feet, all four fetlocks, hocks, stifles, back and neck. Ask us for current pricing.
About your results
A pre-purchase exam reports what the veterinarian finds on the day of the exam. It is not a pass/fail verdict or a guarantee of future soundness. The decision to buy is yours, and we’ll help you weigh the findings against your plans for the horse.
Contact our office to schedule a pre-purchase exam, or to ask what’s right for the horse you’re considering.