PPEs for the 4 Figure Horse

[MsM]

I didnt do radiographs when I PPE’d my 4 figure purchased horse. About a year later he had an issue and the xrays showed some “irregularity”. The difficulty was that we couldn’t tell if it was significant to the lameness or if something he had had for a while. Eventually did MRI that showed soft tissue injury. That healed after rehab. Radiographs taken two years later for shoeing showed no additional bony changes.

If I were to buy a horse again, I would want some screening pictures as a baseline. But I also wouldn’t freak out and dismiss an older sound horse with some changes.

[Larbear]

@CBoylen

I’ve seen some pass the exam but fail the purchase so to speak as the vet mutters are you sure about this one?

I laughed at this. My last horse I kinda put my vet on the spot and said based on what you saw etc, if you were looking to event, would you buy him? Honestly I expected to just say he really couldn’t answer that. Instead without any hesitation he said “Nope” I did pause but in the end went for it. Everything worked out fine thankfully and he was awesome.

[joiedevie99]

@Bonnie2

Freeze the blood and run it only if there is an issue with the horse. Best of luck!

This is one approach that I don’t love. Let’s say you buy the horse, it goes crazy when the drugs wear off, now what? Someone who is unethical enough to drug a horse is unlikely to just say oops, sorry, here’s your money back. And litigation is expensive - even small claims court takes many months, and you’d likely be paying your vet to appear as an expert witness even if you represent yourself.

I get that there is an upfront cost associated, but I always recommend that if you care to pull the blood, you should run it before completing the sale.

[ComingAttraction]

I prefer to know what I’m getting into.