Buying and Selling a Horse by Cherry Hill

Author:Cherry Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 1991-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

If the veterinarian thinks it is warranted, the pre-purchase exam may include X-rays of the lower legs.

Laboratory Tests. Laboratory tests can be quite sophisticated and expensive. One of the most common blood tests is the Coggins test, which checks for the presence of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies. A positive test indicates that the horse has been exposed to EIA in the past and is a potential risk. This test costs about $20, and the results take about three days. The seller may have a current Coggins test on file for the horse you are hoping to buy.

Sometimes a complete blood count is recommended if a horse is suspected of being, among other things, anemic. This test and the related tests of hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration measure the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

If it is suspected that the horse is under the influence of an unreported drug, you can have a blood chemical evaluation performed for about $75.

For about $40, a respiratory exam with a fiber-optic endoscope may uncover scarring or polyps in the respiratory system that could interfere with the horse’s breathing. Other specialized tests may be necessary.

Veterinarians usually do not give a hard and fast PASS or FAIL when performing a pre-purchase exam. Rather, he or she will give you a report in light of your intended use for the animal.

After the Veterinary Exam. When a horse has cleared the vet check, you will have a certain number of days (three, for example) to complete payment and pick up the horse. During this time it is the seller’s responsibility to have the horse cleared by a brand inspector in states where it is required. The seller must also have the necessary transfer papers available so that at the time of sale, the registration papers can be signed over to the new owner.

If the horse passes the vet exam and you do not follow through with the purchase, the deposit is normally forfeited to the seller for the inconvenience and the time the horse was off the market. If the horse does not pass the veterinary examination, your deposit is re-funded or the horse’s price can be negotiated in light of the veterinarian’s findings.

Other Paperwork. When the final sales transaction is being made, be sure that all the necessary paperwork is taken care of before you give the seller your check. If you are not experienced in paperwork matters, bring someone who is. Registration papers should bear clear title from the seller to you, the new buyer. Be sure the description of the horse on the papers matches the horse you are buying exactly. Brand clearance and ID certification papers should be unmistakably for the horse you are buying. If there is a shadow of a doubt, clear it up before the final sale. Some sellers have been known to use certificates from deceased horses to sell other less valuable horses.

Insurance. Sellers who offer installment sales (those in which you give a downpayment and make periodic payments on the horse) usually require that the horse be insured during the term of the sales contract.

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