When horse seller has recent x-rays - how to proceed with PPE?

[Lusoluv]

I was told the young horse I’m going to look at has a full set of clean x-rays (every area that I would want) from early this year. If I decide to purchase him I’d still schedule a PPE with an unaffiliated vet to do a physical exam, flexions, etc.

Question: do I wait until my PPE appt to ask for rads to be sent to the vet afterwards? Is it appropriate to ask for them to be emailed ahead of time to be assured they are clean? And if questionable, additional x-rays could be taken during the PPE vs finding out after and vet has to go back. Another idea: have xrays sent to my sport horse vet here that I trust, and let her review, along with high quality riding video before my visit. WWYD?

[sunkistbey]

I just went through this and here’s what I did.
The horse I was looking at was several hours away and I was not able to attend the PPE. First I had the current X-rays sent to my vet to examine. I felt that if he saw something amiss there was no point in going on. Then I told the PPE vet to talk to my vet and after the initial exam they could go over the X-rays and discuss the need for more. This worked out well, but you have to trust your vet to make the call on the direction of the PPE.
Good luck and hope you find your new partner. I did.
ETA I did show my vet the riding videos before he saw the X-rays.

[Lusoluv]

@sunkistbey, that sounds perfect and I’ll follow your lead. I’ve never purchased a horse that had recent, let alone all the rads I’d want done. I do trust my vet and would take her recommendations without hesitating. I just didn’t know if it would be out of line to ask for the rads before I saw the horse.

Thanks and congrats on your new partner!

[SBrentnall]

I just went through this, too, and did the same as sunkistbey. My vet was able to review the existing rads before the PPE, which meant he could ask for specific additional films to take a closer look at some areas.

[Libby2563]

@Lusoluv

I just didn’t know if it would be out of line to ask for the rads before I saw the horse.

I misread your initial question to mean asking for rads before the PPE, which I think is pretty standard. Asking for them before you see the horse might be a little more unusual? I’d see it as more common if you’d have to fly there, if it’s very hard to take a day off work or whatever, or if you already have a relationship with the seller. If you’re unknown to the seller I could see them possibly not wanting to send the X-rays before they know you’re serious.

[Lusoluv]

I will be traveling internationally to try the horse, and my trainer will be trying the horse a week before I do. I’ve seen video and have talked at length with the trainer, so she knows I’m serious.

[Libby2563]

In that case I wouldn’t find it unreasonable at all. Good luck!!

[Demerara_Stables]

Also have asked for and received recent X-rays before PPE, but not before seeing the horse. I do agree asking for them before you see the horse is reasonable as it’s an international trip. Fingers crossed for you!

[xQHDQ]

Just a thought…they probably wouldn’t have told you about the x-rays unless they were open to you/your vet reviewing them. Meaning, ask for them whenever it is that you want to.
Good luck!!!

[Lusoluv]

Thanks everyone for the advice and good luck wishes!

[SBrentnall]

We did this, for exactly that reason. We were going to fly across the country and I didn’t want to do that without knowing the horse was basically healthy.