Pre Purchase / Vetting Examinations

Pre-purchase or ‘vetting’ examinations are regularly conducted by Aireworth Vets.

A vetting is an examination conducted in ‘stages’ following a particular format. The horse is assessed in terms of its suitability for purchase for a given use. It follows that the findings from the examination will then be used as a guide as to whether the horse is suitable for that particular use. Different criteria assume different importance for different uses.

What type of vetting should you have?
The 5-stage vetting is the usual examination performed and follows a protocol designed to enable the vet to adequately assess the horse’s suitability.
An abbreviated 2-stage vetting is also sometimes performed where there is a limitation of facilities or horses educational standard. To determine which is most appropriate please speak to a member of the Equine team.
Buying a horse is expensive and it is important to ensure that the horse is not only physically suitable but also is educationally suited to the intended use.

Try before you buy
It is also an advantage to have spent time with the horse and to have ridden it; particularly doing activities it is being purchased for before organising a vetting examination. A trial period arranged before vetting and purchase is very useful to ensure that the horse is capable of doing what you want and that it is of suitable temperament for your level of experience.
If possible get your instructor or a knowledgeable friend to view your potential purchase with you to help decide suitability.

Booking a vetting with Aireworth Vets
You can call the practice to book a vetting. As well as needing all the contact details; there are a number of considerations regarding the location of the vetting, so it's best to call late morning or early afternoon to discuss your requirements.
Alternatively, you can click here to request a vetting by e-mail or just to see the information we require to make a booking.