Commonly known as vettings, these examinations help give you a picture of the health of your new horse before buying them. We offer both two or five stage vettings. Both include a clinical examination, trot up, and the taking and storing of a blood sample. These samples will be stored unless there is a request to test them, in which case additional fees apply. 

When purchasing a ridden horse a five stage vetting is recommended as more potential problems can be found during the vigorous exercise phase and second trot up. Two stage vettings may be more suitable for unbacked horses, but you will be asked to sign a disclaimer to accept the additional risks of conditions that may affect the risks of purchase that have not been found on the two stages. 

What are the five stages?

• 1: Full clinical examination
• 2:Trot up
• 3: Exercise phase
• 4: Rest and recovery
• 5: Second trot up

What facilities are needed?

• A stable or area to examine the horse, with a dark area in order to examine the eyes
• A hard, level area, long enough to trot the horse up on
• An arena to exercise the horse (5 stage only), and a rider if the horse is to be sold for ridden work
• The horse must be stabled overnight before the vetting and not turned out or exercised prior to the examination.

It is possible to bring the horse to us if there are not suitable facilities.