Pre Purchase Examinations for Horses
Buying a horse is a significant financial and emotional investment. A structured Pre Purchase Examination, commonly referred to as a PPE, provides an objective assessment of the horse’s current health and soundness, assisting buyers in determining suitability for their intended use, whether pleasure riding, eventing, dressage or high level sport.
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At Core Equine Biomechanics, pre purchase vet checks are provided across Melbourne and surrounding regions, including the north and north east corridor. Examinations are conducted within the context of more than twenty years of clinical experience in performance horse practice, including exposure to FEI competition environments and high level sport. This depth of experience informs how findings are interpreted, particularly when assessing horses intended for athletic careers.
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All examinations are performed in accordance with the Equine Veterinarians Australia five stage protocol. This internationally recognised framework is combined with a performance focused musculoskeletal assessment to provide clear, evidence based guidance before commitment.
What Is a Pre Purchase Examination (PPE)?
A Pre Purchase Examination is a systematic veterinary assessment performed at a specific point in time. It is designed to document clinical findings and identify factors that may influence future performance or management.
A PPE does not “pass” or “fail” a horse. Instead, it provides:
• A documented clinical baseline
• Identification of abnormalities
• Interpretation of findings relative to intended use
• A structured discussion of risk
Horses are athletic individuals. Soundness is influenced by training progression, rider input, workload, surfaces, farriery, conformation, and cumulative biomechanical stress. The role of the veterinarian is to assess current status and provide objective guidance, not predict long-term outcome.
The 5 Stages of a Pre Purchase Examination (PPE)
A five stage Pre Purchase Examination is a comprehensive veterinary assessment designed to evaluate health, soundness and suitability for a specific purpose. Each stage contributes to a systematic evaluation of the horse’s current clinical status.
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Stage 1 - Preliminary Examination
This stage includes: • Verification of identity • Full physical examination • Cardiovascular and respiratory assessment • Ocular and oral evaluation • Palpation of limbs and axial skeleton • Assessment of the skin • Assessment for conformational abnormalities This establishes a clinical baseline and identifies any findings requiring closer attention during subsequent stages.
Stage 2 - Gait Assessment
The horse is assessed moving in hand on ideally a hard and soft surface. • Neurological assessment • Straight line evaluation • Lunge assessment both reins, walk, trot and canter • Assessment for asymmetry • Joint flexion tests This stage identifies overt lameness or subtle gait irregularities that may influence suitability for intended use.
Stage 3 - Strenuous Exercise
• Lunging or ridden exercise depending on horse’s training level • Cardiovascular and respiratory response assessment • Evaluation for exercise-induced lameness or respiratory noise
Stage 4 - Recovery & Re-Examine
• Repeat auscultation of heart and lungs • Inspection for sweating, recovery rate and abnormal respiratory sounds • Re-check limbs and back for heat, swelling or pain
Stage 5 - Final
Trot-up
• Second trot in hand after recovery • Final assessment of movement, symmetry and post-exercise response • Further diagnostics if required
Diagnostic Imaging and Additional Testing
Radiographs and ultrasonography are not automatic components of a Pre Purchase Examination. Additional tests may be recommended after the five stages have been completed, once clinical findings have been collated and interpreted in the context of the buyer’s intended use of the horse.
This staged approach ensures that investigations are:
• Clinically relevant
• Proportionate to risk
• Appropriate for the discipline and workload expected
• Guided by findings rather than routine templates
Digital Radiography
Portable digital radiography allows assessment of feet, fetlocks, hocks, stifles and selected axial regions when indicated. Radiographs may assist in identifying structural changes that could influence performance expectations or future management.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound may be recommended when soft tissue structures require further clarification, particularly tendons, ligaments, or selected joint associated tissues.
Other Tests
Where appropriate, additional diagnostics such as blood sampling for medication screening or further specialised imaging may also be discussed.
The decision to proceed with additional testing is always made in consultation with the buyer, once findings have been interpreted relative to the horse’s proposed level of work
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