A pre-purchase veterinary exam could save you thousands. Here's exactly what happens during a vetting.
Buying Guides · 2026-02-05 · 5 min read
A pre-purchase veterinary examination — commonly called a 'vetting' — is one of the most important steps in buying a horse. Yet many South African buyers skip it to save money, only to face far greater costs down the line.
A vetting is a thorough veterinary examination of a horse before you buy it. It's performed by an independent equine veterinarian (not the seller's vet) and covers the horse's overall health, soundness, and suitability for your intended use.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
The vet examines the horse at rest — eyes, heart, lungs, teeth, skin, limbs, and general condition.
Stage 2: Walk and Trot
The horse is walked and trotted on a hard, flat surface. Flexion tests are performed on all four limbs.
Stage 3: Strenuous Exercise
The horse is worked hard — usually cantered and galloped — to stress the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Stage 4: Rest Period
The horse stands for 30 minutes, then is re-examined. Issues that weren't apparent during exercise may show up after rest.
Stage 5: Second Trot-Up
Another trot on hard ground to check for any lameness that appeared after exercise.
Always opt for the full 5-stage vetting. The extra R1,500 is nothing compared to the cost of buying a horse with a hidden issue.
Your vet will give you a report, not a pass/fail. But serious red flags include:
A clean vetting doesn't guarantee the horse will never have problems, but it dramatically reduces your risk.
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