In This Issue
Fun Fact!

The highest price paid for a thoroughbred race horse at public auction is $16 million for a two-year-old, then unnamed colt, who had yet to even race.  This occurred in 2006.

 
July Newsletter
So You Want To Buy a Horse...

  

The economy seems to be turning around in the horse world, and more and more people are purchasing horses.  This is great news!  With that in mind, we decided to take the opportunity to discuss with you a few pointers on finding and buying that sleek new ride!

 

Keep in mind, there is generally a lot more to it than what we've written below, but we hope this helps you along your path and gets you asking the right questions.  Good luck!

 

Sincerely,
Drs. Matt and Ashley Kornatowski
Twin Pines Equine Veterinary Services, LLP
  
(Have an idea for a newsletter topic or an event?  We'd love to hear from you!  Just send us an email at [email protected])
Before you buy

 

If you're new to the horse world, or horse ownership, there are several things to think about before making this big decision.

 

One important consideration is cost. Horses are not cheap animals.  If you'll be boarding your horse, often the monthly board fee includes feed and bedding - but in a rough board situation, it may not.  If you'll be keeping your horse at home, you'll need to find a source of hay (which seems to be getting more difficult as of late), and will probably need to make monthly grain purchases as well, depending what the individual horse needs.  The horse will need to be seen by the farrier/trimmer about every 8 weeks.  Additionally, veterinary care will be necessary.  Yearly vaccinations and dental checks should be performed, and if any emergencies arise, the bills can begin to stack up!  Be realistic about what your monthly and yearly expenses could be, and make sure that you've got that covered.  It's not a bad idea to set up an emergency fund, or dedicate a credit card for equine emergencies.

 

Another consideration is space.  If you're keeping your horse at home, do you have enough land to maintain a horse or horses?  Is your land zoned properly for farm animals?  Here's what is required in Griswold, CT:

 

"Large animals such as cows, horses, and sheep may be kept solely for domestic purposes on non-farm property in R-40, R-60 and R-80 zones provided that (a) the lot contains at least three (3) acres of land; (b) no more than two (2) such animals over six months of age are kept on the lot; except that one additional animal may be kept for each additional half (1/2) acre up to the five (5) acre farm classification."

 

Don't know what your zoning laws are? Find your CT town here and look them up.   (Here they are for Rhode Island)

Don't you wish?

Additionally, are you able to

provide appropriate shelter for the animal?  While you don't need a full blown barn with stalls, a simple run-in shed (at minimum) should be available for protection from the elements.     

 

If you have all of this in mind, and have a separate bank account set up to hide the costs from your spouse (kidding!), then you're ready to move onto the next step! 

Selecting the right horse

 

Horses come in many shapes and sizes, as well as abilities.   So the first question you have to ask yourself is "What am I going to do with this horse?"

 

Are you buying a horse for your 10-year old daughter to ride around the ring?  You probably don't want a 4 year old OTTB (Off-Track Thoroughbred).  (Or hey, maybe your daughter sticks like Velcro and wants a project...)  How about a 3 day eventer?  That 20 year old Belgian is really cute, but probably not cut out for jumping...

 

Another thing to keep in mind is weight ratio.  Including tack, the total weight a horse can comfortably carry shouldn't excede 20%.  In some cases, it can go as high as 25%, however you shouldn't count on that.  So be sure that the horse you're choosing is appropriate for the intended weight.     

 

Budget is an important consideration as well.  Purchasing at the high end of your budget doesn't leave much room in case of any work that needs to done after the purchase.  This could include dentistry, chiropractic care, joint supplements or Legend/Adequan, even general veterinary care.  It's always a good idea to keep a little bit in reserve.   

The Pre-Purchase Exam 

 

Once you have found a good match, it's important to have a pre-purchase exam (PPE)  done.  Many people question the necessity of a PPE, but since most sales are final or "as is", shouldn't you know what you're walking into?  A PPE isn't a guarantee of future soundness or perfection, but it can often help a lot in finding issues which may become big problems in the future. 

  

A PPE is a full nose-to-tail exam.  We take a look at everything (well, everything that's possible).  While every vet may have a slightly different take on how to do a PPE, here's what we do. 

 

First is the standing exam.  During this portion, we take the vitals (temperature, pulse, respiration) and listen for gut sounds, lung noises, appropriate heart sounds, etc.  We'll stand back and take a look at conformation, attitude, body condition, and posture.  Then the palpations begin.  "Palpate" is a fancy vet word for "feel really carefully." We palpate lymph nodes, musculature along the neck and back, check for range of motion of all the joints of each limb, and palpate the soft tissue structures of each limb (suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, etc).  We'll closely examine the feet and apply hoof testers to check for sensitivity.  All the while, we're looking at the skin to see if there are any problems.  We'll be noting any spots that we touch or manipulate that seem sensitive or painful, and try to determine what might be causing this sensitivity.

 

Once we have finished the standing exam, we continue on to the movement portion of the exam.  This involves trotting the horse straight and in a circle, followed by flexion tests of each limb.  For a flexion test, we hold up a limb in a specific way that stresses a specific region or joint, hold for a specific length of time, and then trot the horse off.  The flexion tests can help determine if significant pain arises from a specific area/joint.  We'll also perform a brief neurologic exam as part of this movement exam.  Given that soundness is usually the most important aspect of the PPE, we spend a fair amount of time on this portion of the exam. 

 

Once we have decided whether or not there may be any lameness issues, we go back into the barn where we dilate the eyes.  This allows us to fully visualize the back part of the eye to look for any abnormalities.  While waiting for dilation, we place a speculum in the mouth and perform an oral exam. 

 

It's a common misconception that vets "pass or fail" horses.  We don't ever really do that.  Instead, we gather as much information as possible, and present it to the buyer.  It is then the buyer's decision to purchase or not, based on that information.  We are happy to discuss our opinions, and give you educated guesses of what the horse may be capable of long term - but the decision to purchase is always the buyer's.  The buyer can also choose whether or not to share the information from the PPE with the seller - however (and this is important!) the buyer has NO obligation to do so.   In other words, the information belongs to the person paying for it. 

 

Additional Testing

 

It's really hard to find a perfect horse.  Many times we find something minor that may need further diagnostics.  Radiographs of feet or hocks is a common request to determine if there are any current issues.  If a problem is noted on the exam, imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy) can often determine if there is an underlying problem that the buyer should be aware of.

 

Blood testing can also be performed.  A Coggins test is often done (if not current), and occasionally screening tests like a CBC/Chemistry or Lyme titer are requested.  Drug testing can also be performed - while not common, less-than-honest sellers may use drugs to make a horse more comfortable or quiet during the exam.  This may not become apparent until after the horse is purchased and starts to buck you off, or a lameness becomes evident.  Drugs can be tested for by drawing blood and submitting it to a lab - the tests aren't cheap, but can be helpful for peace of mind in some situations. 

 

Want to read more about PPE's?  Check out The Horse's article:  Understanding the Pre-Purchase Exam, or the AAEP's page: The Pre-Purchase Exam 

 

Red Flags                    

 

There are a few red flags you should watch out for when purchasing a horse. 

 

Always be wary if the seller tries to talk you out of, or flatly won't allow a pre-purchase exam.  There may be a reason.  Perhaps they know something will be found?  It's your right as a buyer to have a vet check the horse out. 

 

Additionally, if the seller insists or recommends that THEIR vet perform the PPE, this should raise your eyebrows.  A PPE should be performed by someone with the buyer's interests in mind.  If there is a pre-existing relationship between the seller and the veterinarian, this can be a conflict of interest.  The vet may not want to cause a loss of sale for fear of losing the client.  We make sure to tell potential buyers if we are the current vet for the seller, and if they still choose to use our services, then they at least understand the conflict.  However, we typically recommend we do not perform PPEs on our own client's horses.     

 

While not a deal breaker, another thing to look for is appropriate paperwork.  Is there a valid Coggins?  Rabies certificate?  Are the vaccines up to date?  It's our recommendation that you don't accept someone's word that "Everthing is up to date."  Unfortunately, some people lie, or forget, or "everything" (or "up to date"!) means different things to different people.  Ask for proof and look at it before you take the horse.  If it cannot be provided, don't bring the horse onto your property until all of this has been taken care of and appropriately documented.  Who pays for it is between you and the seller.  And if you're taking this horse across state lines, don't forget the health certificate!  

 

If something doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to walk away.  You have to trust your gut in many things, and horse buying is no different.  If you're getting a "funny feeling", figure it out - ask more questions, get more information, or find a new prospect.   

  
Final Thoughts
               
Horses are wonderful animals who bring a lot of joy and excitement to our lives and to our clients lives.
 
Whether this is your first horse, or 10th, adding a new horse to your life and barn is a big decision.  It's important to have as much information as possible to make the most educated decision possible.  Don't assume that because a horse is priced "cheap" or even free, that it's not a big financial decision.  "There's no such thing as a free horse" is an adage we repeat a LOT.  The big financial commitment almost always comes AFTER purchase. 
 
If you're interested in reading more about buying (and selling) horses, the legal advice website Equine Legal Solutions has a fairly comprehensive list of articles which should keep you busy through the holiday weekend! Equine Legal Solutions - Buying and Selling
 
Until next time, have a great summer with your equine friends.  Happy trails!