When acquiring a horse, the pre-purchase examination is a crucial step to ensure the animal's overall health. While it requires a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian, the presence of a farrier can provide valuable additional expertise.
What are the specific points of concern related to the hooves when purchasing a new horse? Insights from Marc Herrouin, a farrier specialized in the management of sport horses.
Why Have a Farrier Present During a Pre-Purchase Exam?
The pre-purchase exam is a veterinary consultation. The veterinarian, experienced in conducting this type of examination, focuses on a comprehensive assessment of the horse's health, often including X-rays, blood tests, and providing a detailed report to the client.
However, the involvement of a farrier adds significant value, particularly in the examination of the hooves. Farriers are specialists in this area, regularly working with horses every 5 to 8 weeks. This frequent interaction makes them key players in understanding the hoof health of the horses they care for. Assessing hoof balance and condition are fundamental aspects for the horse’s future performance.
In addition to their experience, tools like the Metron-Hoof software enable professionals to produce detailed reports on hoof conditions, as explained by Marc Herrouin, a farrier involved in pre-purchase exams:
“The veterinarian takes X-rays and provides a report to the client. The Metron software allows farriers to also create a report on the hooves’ condition for clients (if they are far away and can’t be there in person, so the client can know the horse’s condition on the day of the exam).
This report is also a valuable tool when reselling the horse, as it shows how the horse has developed between the time of purchase and resale.”
Example of a Metron-Hoof Report During a Pre-Purchase Exam
The presence of the farrier during the pre-purchase exam enhances the overall evaluation and provides additional assurance to the prospective owner.
“I believe that veterinarians can find it beneficial to have the farrier present during the pre-purchase exam to specifically address issues related to hoof balance and condition, complement their observations, and communicate with the client.”
— Marc Herrouin
Points of Attention During a Pre-Purchase Exam
It is the veterinarian’s responsibility to conduct the thorough checks and determine whether a horse ‘passes’ or fails the pre-purchase exam.
However, several points of attention regarding the hooves are observed by farriery professionals. According to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, 90% of forelimb lameness originates from the hoof, highlighting the importance of observing the following factors. These are essential indicators to consider from the farrier’s perspective when acquiring a horse:
- A significant discrepancy between the right and left hooves
- Negative palmar/plantar angles that appear difficult to improve over time
- Poor quality of the hoof wall
- The current shoeing: Is there abnormal or asymmetrical wear on the shoes? Does the horse have orthopedic shoes?
- Delicate hoof and coronary forms with a high risk of recurrent hoof cracks.
“Regarding the hoof cracks, it primarily affects horses that experience changes in weather conditions,” explains Marc.
“For example, a horse coming from Northern countries that is purchased to be taken to a Southern country, such as Spain. In the North, higher humidity levels help manage hoof cracks. In Spain, where the climate is much drier, the variations between heat and frequent showers can make managing a horse prone to hoof cracks more difficult. Owners should be aware that a horse with previously good hooves might become harder to manage, regardless of the quality of the new farrier,” concludes Marc.
"If the horse needs to wear orthopedic shoes, this is a point to keep in mind, especially for young horses that require them. These are important signals to consider when purchasing a horse, as they may indicate long-term management (and costs) that need to be addressed.
In most cases, it is possible to implement specific management strategies and improve the condition of a horse’s hooves. However, poor hoof quality, the presence of orthopedic shoes, or marks on the hoof indicating past issues should be taken into account during the purchase.
The Metron/Ekico report is invaluable in my opinion because, in addition to the X-ray findings, it provides the prospective owner with a concrete view of the horse’s hoof condition at the time of purchase. With this, there’s nothing left to question; the client cannot blame anyone later on because the photos document the horse’s condition at the time of purchase. Three or four months later, these concrete records are still available thanks to the report.
The BSI training (Farrier Training Offered by the Livet Equine Veterinary Clinic) I completed is also a significant asset in the context of pre-purchase exams. The knowledge gained, whether on static and dynamic assessment, palpation, or observing the horse as a whole, greatly enhances my ability to communicate effectively with both the veterinarian and the client."
— Marc Herrouin
Pro Tips by Marc Herrouin: The Shoeing/Reshoeing Kit
“During pre-purchase exams, I always prepare a kit for removing and reapplying the horse’s shoes. As a farrier, it’s common for the veterinarian to remove the shoes for the exam but be unable to put them back on afterward!
We often get called back (usually right before the weekend!) to reapply the shoes.
When I participate in pre-purchase exams, I always bring the necessary tools to avoid these minor inconveniences for the owners and my fellow professionals.”
The Steps in a Pre-Purchase Exam in Collaboration with Veterinarian/Farrier
"The pre-purchase exam is primarily a veterinary consultation. When I participate in this type of service, I follow the process outlined by the veterinarian in charge of the exam." — Marc From the farrier’s perspective, the observations made by Marc Herrouin follow these steps:
1. Observations of the horse as a whole
"I observe the horse as a whole. Just as I do in my daily work before shoeing, I watch the horse move at a walk and trot to assess its overall condition.
I take into account the size, weight, coat quality, and musculature, although my expertise primarily focuses on the lower parts of the horse.
This is also when I might take measurements of the hooves using the Metron system by Ekico."
2. Static Observations
"In this phase, I examine the conformation of the horse at rest. I then perform a full range of palpations: limbs, coronet bands, and hoof testers. I also assess the shape of the hooves and analyze the current shoeing. What type of shoes is the horse wearing? Are there any pads? Is the shoeing orthopedic? Is there any symmetrical or asymmetrical wear?
Finally, I meticulously study the hoof from dorsal, lateral, and palmar/plantar views. These observations highlight differences between the hooves. In lateral or diagonal views, are the hooves larger or bulkier? What are their shapes, etc.?"
3. Dynamic Observations
"Conformation is now observed in movement. I make these observations during the flexion tests performed by the veterinarian. Some of the horse’s reactions can be clarified by my experience as a farrier. Dynamic observations conclude with assessments at all three gaits: walk, trot, and canter, on a circle, on hard surfaces, and on soft surfaces."
4. The Radiographs
“The final step of the exam is imaging. At this stage, the veterinarian performs examinations with radiographs of the upper parts (e.g., the spine, tarsal bones, etc.). I do not participate in this type of exam.
It is from the images of the pastern and below that my farrier experience is most useful. From my perspective, I like to have radiographs taken with the shoes on and then without the shoes. I inquire about the duration of the shoeing when the images are taken.”
“In my opinion, if the shoeing is more than 15 days old, the radiographs are less meaningful. The horse’s hoof has already grown, and the conformation is changing. For a pre-purchase exam, I therefore recommend to my clients to observe horses with no more than 15 days of shoeing.
When the horse is unshod, it allows for particular observation of how the animal behaves at the heels. The hoof testers can detect bruises, hematomas, and any potential pain in the heels and sole.
The hoof should be cleaned only with a brush. Any trimming should be avoided. It is essential to observe the white line and examine the walls: are they solid or crumbling from underneath?
If the conformation is poor, do I have enough hoof to correct it?
All of these questions help me anticipate whether the horse can be improved with some shoeing adjustments or if more extensive treatments will be necessary for the buyer.”
