After months of meticulous horse-shopping, you’ve finally found the perfect fit. You’re so excited you could hook up the trailer and load the horse before the ink on the check dries. However, there is one step in the buying process that you cannot skip if you’re wanting to make an informed decision: the prepurchase exam.
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Over the years the prepurchase exam—once reserved for high-dollar sport and racehorses—has evolved to encompass the evaluation of any horse that changes hands. As all horsemen, from professionals to weekend trail riders, have become better informed about their horses’ health, the prepurchase exam has grown to be a more common occurrence. With the advancement of technology, along with the ability to bring it to your farm, the prepurchase exam has also evolved into a highly specialized evaluation of a horse’s health and soundness.
The most important thing to remember about a prepurchase exam is that it is not a pass-or-fail test. It is a snapshot in time that tells you how healthy the horse is on that specific day. It can provide hints as to how the horse will progress, but it cannot predict the future.
Also, keep in mind that no horse is perfect. If examined rigorously enough, fault can be found with any horse. What you are trying to determine is if the horse will be sound and serviceable for the job you intend for him to do and if you are willing to manage existing problems. Discuss any imperfections with your veterinarian, and ask what resulting issues you might encounter down the line and what treating those would entail. With some problems the risk might be worth the reward for your specific scenario. As Alexander M. Chan, VMD, owner of AMC Equine, in Westchester County, New York, says, the prepurchase exam should serve to “help the client make an informed decision.”
An important part of that decision is choosing the veterinarian who will perform the exam. He or she should be an equine-specific veterinarian who has knowledge and experience working with the breed or discipline of the horse you’re trying. This individual should be impartial; he or she should never have worked on the horse, should not perform work for the seller or agent, and should have no financial stake in the sale. The veterinarian performing the exam works for the buyer, is paid by the buyer, and reports directly to the buyer. And because the buyer is paying for the exam, he or she owns the rights to the information obtained, including all findings, radiographic images, or test results. The veterinarian is under no obligation to share the exam results with the seller or agent unless given express permission by the buyer.
When scheduling the exam, make sure the seller or agent is aware of the appointment so they have enough time to discontinue administering any medications that could alter the exam results. It is also important to discuss with your veterinarian what exams you would like performed, as the process can be as simple or as extensive as you wish. Naturally, the expense of the testing rises with the scope of the exam. There is no rule of thumb as to how much you should spend on a prepurchase based on the price of the horse, and it is even possible that an extensive exam could match or exceed the horse’s price. How much you spend is your choice, but recognize that the early investment could save you money in the long run.
The minimum prepurchase examination should include recording a thorough medical and performance history as well as completing a full physical evaluation.
“The single most important portion of the prepurchase exam is the veterinarian’s clinical evaluation,” Chan says. “Once the horse has been deemed serviceable for the intended level of use after assessment of its movement, additional diagnostics may be optionally pursued to further assist in the decision-making process.”
Chan says the veterinarian should:
During the initial exam your veterinarian can also make notes regarding the horse’s temperament and behavior. Be on the lookout for any undesirable stable vices such as weaving or cribbing.
In addition to a general physical exam, most veterinarians recommend performing a lameness exam, especially if the horse is an athlete. For this reason it is a good idea to choose a veterinarian experienced in lameness. The horse’s conformation as he stands can give early clues as to how he will move. The veterinarian should examine the hooves carefully for integrity and balance and use hoof testers to identify any soreness in the soles. He or she should evaluate the gait at the walk and the trot and perform flexion tests to detect any lameness. Watching the horse work in circles or even under saddle can reveal less obvious gait abnormalities.
“Soundness should be evaluated at different gaits, over a variety of surfaces, in hand as well as under saddle, on a straight line and in circles,” Chan says. “Horses can exhibit subtle abnormalities in movement under specific circumstances (e.g., in collection, in a particular direction, with rider weight, after flexion, when backing up, etc).”
Again, the implications of a lameness depend on the horse’s intended job. Two horses could have the same prepurchase results, but what might be acceptable for a child’s walk-trot pony would be a deal-breaker for a Grand Prix show jumper.
Radiographs are a common, if not recommended, part of prepurchase exams. Which parts of the limb your veterinarian images depends on several factors.
“Depending on the situation, a set of survey X rays may be taken to corroborate the veterinarian’s clinical findings, to uncover potential sources of lameness, or simply to serve as a baseline,” Chan says of his practice. “If a ‘standard’ set of films is cost-prohibitive, I make my recommendations on which parts of the horse to radiograph based on my clinical exam, the discipline or intended use, the breed, the age, and finally, resale considerations.”
A standard set of X rays can range from just a few views (minimum of front feet, fetlocks, and hocks and/or stifles) to the most extensive package of more than 36 images, such as that required by many auction houses before a racing prospect goes to the sales.
While more advanced imaging is not considered standard for a prepurchase exam, some buyers request ultrasound evaluation of forelimb tendons and ligaments. Buyers participating in sports such as dressage and show jumping, where tendon and ligament issues can impact performance, might benefit from these additional exams. Chan says he recommends ultrasound exams if he detects an abnormality on palpation of the soft tissues, the horse has a history of tendon or ligament injury, or radiographs do not explain a lameness. Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) is available at larger equine hospitals and might help the veterinarian identify areas of bony remodeling that have not caused obvious abnormalities in the lameness exam or radiographs. Another advanced diagnostic modality your veterinarian might pursue based on the initial exam is upper airway endoscopy. It’s especially important to perform this exam on horses that make abnormal breathing noises during work; it can be done with the horse at rest, on a high-speed treadmill, or under saddle.
If the veterinarian hears a heart murmur, he or she typically recommends performing an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound). But even then it can be difficult to predict if the abnormalities detected will alter the horse’s performance or if they will progress over time. So while many murmurs might just be incidental findings that will not impact the horse’s career or life span, owning a horse with a murmur might mean scheduling annual exams to track its development. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can help the veterinarian diagnose any arrhythmia detected on auscultation, and in some cases he or she might elect to perform an ECG when the horse exercises or order a 24-hour continuous ECG (via a Holter monitor) to determine an arrhythmia’s significance.
Your veterinarian might also run blood tests. Proof of a negative Coggins test for equine infectious anemia is a must and required by law for any horse moving from state to state. A complete blood count and serum chemistry can give some indication of the horse’s overall health. A veterinarian can also perform a drug screen to detect any recently administered medications that could alter the horse’s performance or soundness. The most common medications tested for include anti-inflammatories such as phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumine, both of which can mask lameness. He or she can also identify steroids and short- or long-term sedatives on blood or urine tests. You can order these tests individually or grouped as part of a more extensive panel. Drug testing can be exorbitantly expensive, so in select cases Chan recommends instead asking to keep the horse on trial to see how he behaves. Long-term sedatives such as fluphenazine or reserpine can last for weeks to months, however, and veterinarians recommend testing if you’re concerned these drugs have been used.
Again, the prepurchase exam is not meant to be a pass/fail hurdle. It is a data set that helps you as a buyer make the most informed decision about your purchase. Decide how many different examinations and tests you want your veterinarian to perform based on your comfort level and financial goals. Work with your veterinarian to glean the most information possible for your budget. All in all, the prepurchase exam will help you determine if the horse you think is your perfect match is one that you and your veterinarian can manage together to remain healthy and successful in his job.
Searching for the best horse fencing can be a challenge, especially for first time customers. When you begin your research, you’ll discover that there are a variety of horse fencing options. Since all properties and horses have different requirements, you will need to determine which fencing is appropriate for your property before making a purchase.
There are multiple factors that will help you determine which type of fencing is the most suitable for your property and requirements. Factors such as climate, topography, acreage, number of horses, maintenance, and cost are all things that one needs to consider.
Since there are so many types of horse fencing, this ultimate guide aims to assist you with the decision-making process. This article will help evaluate each factor and help you make your final decision on the best, most safe horse fencing for your property.
When choosing horse fencing, visibility is one of the most important things to consider. Horses can be very prone to run into any type of fencing at considerable speed, especially if the weather has caused the ground to become slippery. This could not only lead to an injured horse, but also cause heavy damage to the fence, which is an expensive cost for the horse owner. You can prevent that scenario from occurring by increasing the level of visibility of your horse fencing material. Determining the visibility heavily depends on factors such as horse temperament, their behavior, and the age of the horses. The visibility of your horse fencing should be greater if you have a large group of horses or younger horses that are not trained. Unlike immature horses, horses that are mature as well as trained do not require fencing material that is very high in visibility.
When it comes to height, all fencing should be between 4 ½ to 5 feet tall. These are the minimum height requirements to safely contain smaller horses. For larger horses, horse fencing that is 5 to 6 ft in height is ideal. It is also recommended to install the fence so that the planks or wire are at least 6 to 8 inches off the ground. In addition to adding extra height to the fence at no cost, this will allow horses to graze and keep the fence line clean, as well as prevent them from pawing at the fence. The height of your fencing may vary depending on the horses you have.
While choosing horse fencing, you need to make sure that the type of materials chosen have durability and minimize any risk of injury to the skin or body of your horse/horses. Another thing to consider for your horse fencing options are fencing accessories. Accessories can help increase the safety of your horses.
Gates are very important: they not only form part of your fence, but will allow you to move horses, people and/or machinery in and out of fields and paddocks. Consider how wide the gate needs to be, where you will locate it, how it will be supported, and how secure and horse-proof its latch is—these are all variables that can affect a gate’s safety and cost, both upfront and long-term.
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When it comes to fencing, wood is the most traditional material used, and is still one of the most popular horse fencing options chosen by customers. If cared for in the proper manner, wood fencing can last up to 25 years, but there are other factors to keep in mind.
You have to make sure the wood used is durable and can withstand frequent changes in weather patterns. The types of wood available for use varies depending on location. Also, you need to be aware of what kinds of treatments or paints need to be used after installation, as some can be toxic to animals.
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Plastic fencing is a good option for horse fencing because it is highly visible as well as attractive. Traditionally, plastic fencing has always come in a white color, but today, there are various colors and styles available. This type of fencing does not require maintenance like wood fencing does, and many manufacturers use UV inhibitors and protectants to keep the material strong and weather resistant. This fencing is also often used in combination with other materials such as electric fencing, which can act as a deterrent for pushy horses.
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High Tensile Polymer, or HTP, is made with high tensile steel wiring that has been coated in a polymer. This fencing type is intended to absorb the impact of a horse without breaking or shattering, which can happen with plastic and wood fencing options. HTP comes in a variety of style options and colors, as well as electric or hot-coat options.
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High Tensile Polymer is thin, creating a barrier with poor visibility for some animals
Electric fencing comes in multiple forms, including tape, rope, and braided wires. Electric fencing products can even be added to pre-existing fencing. When added to pre-existing fencing, it helps reduce the chances of long-term damage by reducing the amount of pressure horses can place on the existing rails. Electric fencing creates a psychological barrier for horses by giving them a shock when touched.
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Wire mesh comes in two versions: no-climb and v-mesh. No-climb is created with steel wire that is knotted together, while v-mesh uses wires that are intertwined together to create a diamond shape. Both horse fencing options are strong, durable, and safe when installed correctly, but require regular maintenance. Also, wire mesh fencing can be very costly to install.
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After reading all the information above, it’s quite obvious there are a variety of horse fencing options out there with many benefits as well as potential negatives. It’s important for you to decide what aspects are the most important to you when making your final decision. Also, always remember there are environmental factors that will play a role in the decision-making process.
When shopping for horse fencing, it is important to remember that a safe fence does not always mean it’ll be the strongest fence. Horses are bound to have a run-in with fences, so it is important to keep in mind that fencing such as steel or wooden railing is not the most forgiving. The safest horse fencing is one that is made from flexible materials, but not too flexible to where the animal could escape.
If you want a low maintenance fence, you’ll have to pay more upfront. However, if you are someone that regularly does checkups on your fence and does not mind the maintenance work, then investing in a more affordable option might be best for you.
How you want your fencing to look will be a decision you make on a personal level. Every person has their own idea on what colors and material they want their fence to look like. Keep in mind that some fencing options will have a higher cost and require more maintenance due to their appearance.
Installation of horse fencing can vary due to a couple different factors. Some fences require more material and labor than others, which causes the price to rise. For example, using wood or steel fencing usually requires hired workers due to the high demand of labor. Hourly costs can be anywhere from $66-$99 depending on the amount of installers you hire. On the other hand, some types of horse fencing can be easily installed by just a few people.
When buying horse fencing, it is important to do your research and ask about any warranties. Most companies offer a warranty, but it is always better to ask upfront. Getting a warranty may increase the initial cost of fencing, but it can save you money in the long run.
The best type of horse fencing is one that is safe, durable, and fits within your budget. One type of fencing that checks all of these boxes is Cameo Fencing, which is made of a white monofilament polymer line. A monofilament polymer line is essentially a very thick fishing line that is used for fencing. It can be installed with just two people, and is compatible with wood posts, vinyl posts, or T-posts.
Cameo Fencing provides not only safety, but plenty of strength. This type of fencing is 100% visible to your horse. While the line may not appear very strong, each line has a 1,200-pound breaking strength and the stretching capability of 20% before breaking. Due to the flexibility of Cameo Fencing, it will eliminate all possibilities of the “cheese cutter effect” a horse may experience from contact with high tensile fencing.
This type of horse fencing is also extremely aesthetically pleasing. It leaves the view of your pasture undisrupted while still being highly visible to your horses. And, perhaps most importantly, it is extremely cost effective. This is not only due to the price of the material itself, but also because Cameo Fencing will not injure the horse, saving you money in vet bills and not leaving you to repair a broken fence every time there is a collision.
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