Musculoskeletal
Full lameness assessment including ridden work, back and pelvis examination, and diagnostic analgesia where it is needed.
Services
Sport Horse Performance & Pre-Purchase
For the horse that is not quite right, and for the horse you are thinking of buying.
Poor performance
Not lame. Just not right.
Some of the most difficult cases in equine practice never show a head nod. The horse feels flat. It has stopped jumping through. It is late behind on one rein. It is not the horse it was last season, and nobody can say exactly why.
These cases are rarely one thing. More often they are a small orthopaedic problem plus a saddle that no longer fits, or a low-grade lameness the horse has been compensating for so successfully that the compensation has become the complaint.
They are worth investigating properly, because they almost always have an answer.
What gets looked at
A poor performance investigation
Broad to begin with, then narrowing as findings emerge.
Dental and comfort
Oral examination, bit and bridle fit, and the simple sources of discomfort that get overlooked in a complicated case.
Wider health
Respiratory and general health assessment, bloodwork where indicated, and referral for further investigation if the picture calls for it.
Pre-purchase
Pre-purchase examinations
A vetting is not a pass or a fail. It is a careful record of what a horse is on the day it was examined, and an honest assessment of what those findings mean for what you intend to do with it.
- Two-stage and five-stage examinations
- Radiography as required, discussed and agreed in advance
- Blood sample taken and stored for the standard period
- Findings explained by telephone before the written report follows
- Impartial throughout — the examination is for the buyer
The most useful vetting is one where you understand the findings well enough to make your own decision. Every report is talked through, not simply sent.
Common questions
Performance and vetting questions
What is the difference between a two-stage and a five-stage vetting?
A two-stage examination covers the preliminary examination and the trot-up in hand. A five-stage adds strenuous exercise, a period of rest and re-examination, and a second trot-up. For any horse expected to do a job, the five-stage is strongly recommended.
Do I need radiographs as part of a vetting?
They are not automatically included. Whether to take them, and which views, depends on the horse, its intended use and your appetite for risk — and it is worth discussing with your insurer before the day, as some policies require them.
Can you vet a horse you already treat?
Not for a buyer, no. A pre-purchase examination has to be impartial, and there is a conflict of interest where the practice already attends the horse or knows the seller. In that situation you will be pointed towards an independent colleague.
My horse is not lame but feels wrong. Is that worth investigating?
Yes. Poor performance cases are among the most rewarding to work up, precisely because the answer is rarely obvious. A subtle bilateral lameness, a low-grade orthopaedic problem or a source of discomfort under saddle will often show itself under systematic examination.
Can I ask a veterinary question through the website?
The enquiry form is for general questions — registering, availability, arranging a visit and accounts. Clinical questions need a conversation, and the inbox is not monitored around the clock, so anything concerning your horse’s health should come by telephone.
How do I register as a new client?
Send an enquiry through the contact page or telephone the practice. You will be asked for your details, your yard, and a little about your horses so the right amount of time can be set aside for a first visit.
Book a vetting or an investigation
Pre-purchase examinations book up quickly. Get in touch as early as you can.