• "A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue" -Author Unknown
  • "Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one." - Anonymous
  • "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill
  • A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same. - Elbert Hubbard
  • "A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away." -Bil Keane
  • "A meow massages the heart." - Stuart McMillan
  • "There is more to life than increasing speed." -Mahatma Ghandi
  • "Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it." - J. Petit Senn
  • "If your horse says no, you either asked the wrong question, or asked the question wrong." - Pat Parelli
  • "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill
  • "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras
  • "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle." - Winston Churchill
  • "Agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." - George Eliot
  • "To err is human - to forgive, canine."
  • "Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail." -Kinky Friedman
  • "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France
  • "I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." - Unknown
  • "Horses - if God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself." - Author unknown
  • "Are we really sure the purring is coming from the kitty and not from our very own hearts?" - Terri Guillemets
  • "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

Whether you want

a family pet,

   a pleasure horse,

    a breeding animal or

      a high performance athlete,

you stand the best chance of getting one that will meet your needs by first investing in a pre-purchase exam.

 Remember that most horses do not come with a money-back guarantee.

The expense of a prepurchase examination is small compared to the long term costs of keeping and caring for him - especially if there are health problems...

hearthorseWhat is a Prepurchase Exam?    

A prepurchase exam is exactly as the name suggests - a veterinary examination of all aspects of a horse's health before buying him. Sellers are usually skeptical, buyers often see it as an extra expense, and veterinary skills or thoroughness can vary. So why do them?

...So that you know what you are buying before you write the check. While other horse professionals may be able to evaluate performance merits, only an equine veterinarian can help determine the horse's overall health and condition. This is a very important factor in deciding whether the horse will be a wise investment.

For example, all horses are not seven years old. Many new owners have been surprised to discover that the "seven year old" they just bought is really nineteen. Many rested horses move just fine until asked to perform or do something a little different, then a subtle lameness becomes apparent. A horse in good condition in mid-summer can become a hard keeper in winter due to a variety of dental problems. And just because the mare had five foals in the past doesn't mean she will ever foal again. You won't know unless you look.

Pass or Fail?

Horses do not pass or fail a prepurchase examination. Our goal at Countrycare is to give you, the buyer, as much information possible prior to making your decision whether or not to purchase a horse.

So, exactly what information is gained from a thorough exam? Basically everything from the age to breathing problems to possible future lameness concerns. The examination process involves more than just a normal temperature and verifying that the heart is beating.

The entire body is evaluated- by observation, auscultation and/or palpation. This includes eyes, teeth, heart and lungs, etc. All four legs are palpated, flexed, extended and gaits scrutinized! A complete prepurchase examination will often take up to two hours to complete.

foalIt is also important to evaluate the horse's conformation and disposition. We look at the horse's conformation, body condition and symmetry prior to ever touching them. Every step, stance and action can be a communication that relates to an underlying problem.

The intended use of a horse is an important consideration. What is relevant for a broodmare is different from the requirements for an eventing horse.

The buyer should be present during the examination so that exam findings can be discussed. Also, special tests may be recommended based on the exam. Additional tests may include x-rays, blood work, endoscopic or ultrasound examinations.