How much does a prepurchase exam ususally cost?

Question

On an ex-racer....

Also, how do most people do it? Will the current owners take the horse to a vet for the exam, or would I (the buyer) have to before purchase?

Answer 1

I had one done on a 7 month old filly.  I had a good relationship with the breeder.  She took her to the vet for me and I got 5 page report, plus I talked to the vet on the phone.  I didn't get xrays done, that runs alot more money.  My exam cost 200.00 and that was in Indiana.  I had a friend that was spending whole lot more money on a horse and she went to the breeders with a vet.  She did the whole pre-purchase exam that included xrays.  I think that cost between 1500-2000.  She paid it.  I had another friend who was investing alot of money in a horse and had the full exam done, and come to find out the horse had the start of navicular.  In the long run it saved them alot of money.  The horse was in Canada, they had the films emailed to his vet here in the US.  If you have a good vet at home, i would have that done.  I have never heard of the owners/breeders paying for the exam.  If you are investing alot of money on a horse, go for the full exam, it will be worth it in the long run.  I would highly recommend you being there with a vet of your choice if you can.  You are making a good choice in getting a pre-purchase exam, might save you alot of money and heartache in the long run.

Answer 2

Normally a blood screen and overall joint health will run you from $800-2000.

YOU need to take a vet with you that doesn't know the horse or owners so you don't get a biased opinion.  

Answer 3

Depends on your deal with the seller....you should ask if they will pay for one before you purchase the horse, but they should let you pick the vet......otherwise they are around a couple hundred on average...but i dunno where you live :)....