Buying a horse is an exciting event.  Bringing home a new animal, getting to know it and having the fun of riding and spending time with it can be a big deal, especially if you are getting your first horse.  Hidden problems such as lameness and other health issues can turn a joyous occasion into cause for dismay, which is why it is critical to arrange for a vet inspection before you commit to buying a horse.

Just as you would not buy a car without looking under the hood, so too should you look over a prospective horse very carefully.  A past injury can make a horse lame under working conditions, and might not be evident upon first glance.  Blood work can rule out suspected illness and disease, and make sure you are getting exactly what you are paying for.

Vet inspections are generally inexpensive, and some sellers will even pay for them.  When choosing a vet for the inspection, do not use the vet your seller uses, because you want to be sure the examination is completely objective.

A vet inspection will look at the horse's conformation, legs and teeth, as well as assessing the risk of scars and other remnants from past injuries.  The horse will be walked and jogged while the vet carefully watches for subtle indicators of pain or damage.  At the end of the inspection, you will be provided with a full report on the health of your prospective horse.

While it may seem easiest to skip this step, you can save yourself potential heartache and money spent on expensive vet treatment by making sure you are getting a sound, healthy horse.