OWNING A HORSE IS A HUGE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT: GET A PRE-PURCHASE EXAM!

You’ve decided to buy a horse and you have now located the horse of your dreams.  There are a lot of emotions involved. Try very hard to put your emotions aside so you can make a sound financial and economic investment.  Rarely do horses come with a money-back guarantee.

When you buy a house you do your due diligence.  One of your steps in doing due diligence is hiring a home inspector who will go over both the inside and outside of your house.  The same process should occur when you buy a horse, you should hire a veterinarian that will inspect the inside and outside of the horse.

Knowing and understanding the health and condition of a horse before completing a purchase is one of the most important steps to be taken before you actually buy the horse and make that financial investment.  The expense of an exam is well worth it compared to the long-term costs of keeping, maintaining and caring for a horse with health issues.  If you buy the horse without a veterinary exam, you may miss something that would make this horse un-saleable in the future or affect its current and future value.

You and your veterinarian should talk and discuss what should be reviewed based on what you will be using the horse for.  Some helpful information to have and provide your vet prior to the examination would be vaccination and worming schedule, feed and use of supplements, drugs or injections.  Some baseline review by your vet should cover the following:

• Pulse, respiration and body temperature
• The heart and lungs 
• The nostrils, ears and eyes 
• Limb and body confirmation
• Body and limbs for signs of previous injuries and disease
• Blood samples for diseases and drug use 
• Teeth and mouth
• Feet (visually and with hoof testers)
• Horse in motion traveling in a straight line, circles and under tack (if possible).   Should be performed at a walk, trot and canter.
• Flexion test for the joint and limbs
• Monitor horses behavior while being handled 

If some part of the clinical examination alerts the veterinarian or, if you chose a more in-depth examination, there are a variety of additional test that can be performed.  The test can give the veterinarian a clearer idea or a definitive answer to a particular issue.  These are test such as: x-rays, nerve blocks, urine test, endoscope and ultrasonic examinations along with a variety of other tests.

Remember, the veterinarian you hire is your advocate and can provide you with objective, health-related information.  Try to be present at the exam if at all possible.  Talk directly to the veterinarian yourself.  Remember, it’s your investment.  Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand his findings.  This is very important in making an informed decision.  No horse is perfect in every aspect and some medical faults may never interfere with your horses intended use.  But, the pre-purchase exam can help you determine if you can afford the horse on an ongoing basis should he require special shoes, exercise, nutrition, joint injections or some other maintenance requirements.

The Pre-purchase exam, just like the home inspection, can provide you valuable information that can assist you in making an informed decision.  Even if you decide not to buy, the money spent on the examination can save you headache, heartbreak and money.  There is always another horse to buy out there and a veterinarian exam can assist you in finding the perfect horse to meet your needs.

SCREENING QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK WHEN BUYING A HORSE

There are some very important preliminary questions you should always ask when buying a horse.  These screening questions should be asked right up front.  If at all possible, you should ask these questions initially on the phone prior to seeing the horse.  If you have an agent/trainer helping you locate a horse, have them ask these questions of the seller.  These questions can save all involved a lot of time and you do not want to be known as a "tire kicker".

• Ask the age of the horse and if papers are available that will indicate date of the birth.
• Though you are going to do your "due diligence" with a pre-purchase exam, make sure you ask about the history of the horse's health.  Depending on what you are told and what you can live with, you may choose to stop there.  Most horses have had some issues in the past, but by asking what issues there have been, the seller has an obligation to tell you.  Additionally, you can have your vet address that issue when he is performing the pre-purchase exam.
• How long has the seller had the horse?
• Why is the horse being sold?
• What has the horse been used for?
• Ask about its experience and training, including how long it has been under saddle and in training.
• What vices does it have? (weaving, cribbing, biting, kicking, barn sour, herd sour, etc...)
• Does it trailer, clip and tie, and does it have good ground manners?
• What level of discipline is the horse experienced at?
• What history does the seller know about the horse?
• Is the horse registered with a breed or discipline association?
• Does the horse have a show record and is it available for you to see?

Remember something!  It is always easy to buy a horse and much more difficult to sell one.  It is your money and your investment.  There is always another horse out there, so do not get pushed into buying something that is not right for you.  Do not be afraid to ask these questions so you can make an educated decision.

Keep Track of Your Show Record!

A very important aspect of creating and maintaining value on your show horse is to maintain very accurate show records.   Not only is this proof that your horse can and has done what you say it can do when you are trying to sell him, it is a great tool to use when you are trying to increase insurance on your horse.  It is important for other reasons as well, such as, establishing value on a horse that you are donating, or if you are trying to create equity or establish your horse as an asset.

Make sure you have the date of the show, name of the show, location, rating, name of classes entered and division, class number, number of horses in each class, placing of your horse, name of rider and the amount of any winnings.

Most large equine organizations and registries keep up to date show records on their registered horses.  The USEF maintains records on horses that are registered, but they keep records for only five years out.  Many people do not realize this and are very disappointed when they cannot obtain records past five years.  Check with the organization you are involved with and verify if they keep show records, the information they maintain and how far back records are kept.

I highly recommend that when you renew your membership each year, you print out a record of your horses show record for the year ending.  It is also a good idea to review the records at this time and make sure points and earning have been applied accurately.  Keep a hardcopy file of your records or download it onto your computer.  This way you will have your horses show records as far back as you need them and they will be easily obtainable.

2010 World Equestrian Games

The World Equestrain Games begin this Saturday, September 25^th.  The games are held internationally every four years and 2010 is the first time they have ever been held on American soil. They are held two years prior to the Olympics

The World Equestrian Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports- jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, para dressage, reining and vaulting. The WEG Games are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The FEI is the international governing body of equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It is THE organization that establishes the rules and regulations for the conduct of international equestrian events. Today the FEI has over 130 member countries.

You can find more information regarding the games at http://www.alltechfeigames.com/.  Additional information can be found at the FEI website at www.fei.org and, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) website is www.usef.org.

Protect Yourself When Buying A Horse

So you’ve made a big decision.  You are buying a horse! 

Because the cost of a lawsuit is so steep, make sure your "horse transaction" is memorialized with a lawyer-prepared, well-written contract. The small contract prep charge will be a fraction of litigation expenses and heartbreak. If you cannot locate an equine attorney, an attorney specializing in contracts will work just fine.  It always amazes me that written contracts are not demanded of every horse purchase or sale.  Even on “small” transactions…demand them in writing or do not do the “deal”!

Full disclosure regarding your horse purchase is a necessity. Knowledge and verification of previous ownership, veterinary and show records will prove so helpful should problems occur. Your trusted trainer should readily agree with this requirement and should want to protect you, his valued client.  It is your responsibility to make sure you complete your due diligence and have your equine prospect fully vetted.

The Bill of Sale is all-important. It is a legal document showing value, ownership (not the registration papers), and is the only document proving your ownership. Horses purchased overseas are covered by their country's laws, which may not stand up to adjudication in a US court. Ask your lawyer to review the sales agreement.

If breed registration papers exist, demand that you have them and make sure that request is noted in the Sales Agreement and Bill of Sale.  Remember, those papers are needed for breeding and "breed-specific" horse shows.  They are also proof of age.

Take your time and be thorough in your due diligence.  Make sure all your paperwork is in order prior to transferring money and taking ownership.