The following are a few tips that you might find useful as you get to know your new horse
PASSPORT
Every horse is now legally obliged to have a passport. A vaccination certificate will not suffice for this purpose. If a passport does not accompany the horse it is essential that you apply for one straight away. Depending on breed etc. we will advise you on the most appropriate place to obtain a passport for your new horse. We are happy to complete the identification section of the passport application form free of charge using the description of the horse we recorded at the Pre-Purchase veterinary examination.
INSURANCE
Although an additional expense on top of the purchase price of the horse, the importance of ensuring some form of insurance cover cannot be overstated. Approximately one in three veterinary fees policies is subject to a claim every year. In other words if you own your new horse for three years it is likely that you will make at least one veterinary fees claim during this period. Remember the cost of colic surgery; a lameness investigation or even the treatment of a minor injury can be substantial. For general advice on horse insurance click on our Insurance factsheet. We are happy to pass on our experiences, good and bad, of any insurance companies you may be considering.VACCINATION
Unless we already have done this for you, check that the vaccination status is correct. If the horse does not have a vaccination certificate it is safest to assume that it has not been correctly vaccinated (if at all) and a vaccination course should be started without delay. If the horse does have a certificate, check that the vaccinations have been done correctly at the appropriate time intervals. These are
- Initial primary course of two injections 4-6 weeks apart (3 weeks to 3 months is permissible)
- First booster for 'flu and tetanus should be at 6 months (5-7 months permissible) or at 12 months (if tetanus vaccine only was given at the primary vaccination)
- Subsequent boosters should be annual ('flu) or every two years (tetanus)
If you are unsure whether or not your horse has been properly vaccinated please phone the Clinic. For general advice on vaccination click on our Vaccination factsheet.
WORMING
Where possible you should establish from the seller when the horse was last wormed and what worming drug was used. As a general rule new arrivals should be wormed on arrival and housed for 48 hours before turning out. General advice on worm control can be found in our Worming factsheet.SHOEING
It is worth obtaining from the seller the name and telephone number of the farrier who has hitherto been shoeing the horse in order that any information on particular shoeing issues (for example frequency of shoeing, types of shoes tried before etc) can be passed on to your own farrier.TEETH
All horses five years old and upwards should have their teeth checked annually by us and any necessary remedial action taken.
DISCLAIMER
This factsheet is intended for use by registered clients of EqWest only. The advice offered is general advice only. EqWest clients who wish to discuss the individual circumstances of their horse should contact the Clinic.
To speak to a vet please phone between 8.30 - 9.30 am on weekday mornings.
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