Sport Horse Podcast Year 2 Recap and Exciting Announcements | Episode 41
By Tim Worden & Nicole Lakin of the IGNITE
The prepurchase examination is a common yet often misunderstood aspect of buying and selling sport horses. Dr. Chris Elliott recently published an informative article on the topic and we take a deeper dive into prepurchase exams in this comprehensive episode.
The episode begins with a summary of the prepurchase exam and a discussion surrounding how to communicate with all parties involved (i.e. the veterinarian, the seller, and the buyer). Chris discusses how a purchaser’s risk tolerance needs to be factored into the equation and how the intended use for the horse (e.g. being a CDI-level dressage horse vs training and competing at a lower level) will influence how findings are interpreted. Importantly, he highlights that a prepurchase examination is not a pass/fail evaluation and it is in no way a warranty on a horse.
Chris does a great job of providing an overview of the different phases of a prepurchase exam in Britain, as discussed further in his recent publication (you can read it here). The five stages include:
Stage 1: The Preliminary examination
Stage 2: The Trot Up and Lunge
Stage 3: The Ridden Examination
Stage 4: Observing the Horse at Rest
Stage 5: The Re-Examination
Be sure to follow Chris on Instagram (@elliottequinevet) for more great content from him!
If you enjoyed this podcast episode, be sure to check out our in-depth video content in the Sport Horse Series Video Library!
About the Expert
Dr. Christopher Elliott was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, and graduated from the University of Queensland’s School of Veterinary Science in 2007 with First-class Honors.
After starting his career in Australia, Christopher moved to the United Kingdom to future pursue his passion for equine sports medicine. Following on from that, Christopher undertook a residency in equine veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation back in Sydney before successfully becoming a board-certified specialist in 2017. In early 2022 Christopher joined Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington Florida where he is currently based.
Away from his normal daily work, Christopher is an experienced FEI vet who has worked in over 20 countries as a Private Athlete Vet, Team Vet, Permitted Treating Vet, and Official Vet. Christopher has worked at the past 3 FEI jumping world championships and the past 2 Olympics (hopefully Paris makes 3) and his is currently the FEI Veterinary Services Manager at Wellington International.
Christopher is the author of numerous peer-reviewed veterinary journal publications including his latest article discussing the Pre Purchase Examination of Sport Horses.
Episode Links
Hosts: Nicole Lakin and Dr. Tim Worden of IGNITE
Podcast Website: Sport Horse Podcast
Presenting Sponsor: IGNITE
Guest: Dr. Christopher Elliott | Follow Dr. Elliott on Instagram (@ElliottEquineVet)
Link: Undercover Superheroes: A Day in the Life of an LRK3DE Vet
