I always do.. have had 5 horses vetted in total, 2 passes and I have those 2 horses.

One horse that passed is our big gelding and he’s a dream, no problems whatsoever.

Our other horse (a mare) turned out to have a bad back despite passing a 5 stage vetting a year ago (she hasn’t a lame step) and following a year of heartache, steroid injections and rehab we’ve had to give up and retire her! So it doesn’t catch everything.

We’re looking for another horse currently and had a mare vetted, she turned out to have a progressive cataract which was found at the vetting so we dodged a bullet there.

Despite our mare showing that a vetting doesn’t find everything, I’d never not get one done. Not just to (try to) save you purchase expense of a problem horse but ensuing costs and total heartache. And if you want insurance then over a certain value (£5k I think) insurers insist on it.

My horses are all-rounder warmbloods..

NEVER trust a seller whether private or dealer.. so many wanting to make a quick buck or pass a problem on.

Sorry keep missing half your questions - for a 5 stage plus bloods (they can take these and hold for testing within the initial 6 months if you suspect the horse has been sedated or given painkillers) it’s between £300 - £400 ish I think, but if horse fails within the first 2 stages they’ll only charge for that.

I did with one horse, ex racer TB although he never raced as he was too slow. I paid for additional xrays as he was pin fired but he didn't pass a stage two getting due to a dodgy hip. The vet said not to touch him as there are plenty of healthy horses out there. I was paying £2,500 for him, he had done some local shows and could jump and do a little dressage test. I was going to do a 5 stage vetting which including xrays came to £500. In the end I bought a yearling and I didn't bother with a vetting, but anything ridden I would definitely get one done.

I have to confess with both my 2 current mares I didn't have them vetted, BUT they essentially came to me as freebies/rescue cases and I knew their owners personally so to an extent they were known quantities (warts and all) and I was as sure as I could be nothing was being hidden - as it is both have had fairly expensive health problems since, albeit things that wouldn't necessarily have shown up on a vetting anyway - even a 5 stage vetting won't reveal everything that could come up, they are just a snapshot in time and don't for example include as standard xrays, scope for ulcers etc. (if you were buying a £50k eventer you would have these done at extra cost but probably overkill for a happy hacker).

That being said, I would always 100% advise anyone purchasing a horse to have it at least 2 stage/basic vetted, preferably 5 stage, even if you are buying from a reputable seller. I wouldn't say it makes a difference if buying from a dealer or a private seller, there are honest and dishonest people in both spheres as well as those who are plain old incompetent or ignorant and will unintentionally mislead you, so no, I would never simply trust someone I don't know well (even if they come recommended or have a good reputation). Dealers are usually more professional and may be more experienced at spotting problems like mild lameness I suppose, and if buying from a business rather than an individual you do have a degree more protection in returning a horse 'not as described' if you discover a significant health problem after the purchase but TBH by that time it's too late, you are already in a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. The vast majority of dangerous behaviours in horses (e.g. bucking, rearing, bolting) are usually caused by pain issues, and this is particularly the case in the very alarming cases where the behaviour suddenly starts in a previously safe and well behaved animal that is sound and healthy to the 'lay person' /non vet's eye. So, both for my own safety and the horses welfare, I would always always want to know about any potential health problems well in advance of any purchase so I can then make an informed decision and take appropriate measures if there is something wrong. Also, one of the advantages of the 5 stage is it includes blood tests which discourage unscruplous sellers from bute-ing or sedating a horse with known problems so they behave/appear sound at the vetting.

Cost wise we are talking (I think, it's been a while), something like £150-200 for a basic 3 stage vetting and £250-300 for the 5 stage, so not a huge outlay really even if you are buying the horse cheap and certainly it will seem a bargain if it prevents you from buying a horse which completely breaks down or comes down with a condition costing ££££ to fix the week you get it home - vets bill for horses run into the 4 figures alarmingly quickly - insurance is vital too of course but you will find it easier to get a good premium if you have the horse vetted...

What's stopping you, if you don't mind me asking? Is it the price or the worry of what you might find out? If the latter then you should 100% go for it, cards on the table! Can you say a bit more about the horse you are planning to buy, his/her background and what you want to do (competing, hacking?)...?

You need to find the best equestrian vet you can, I bought one I had to have PTS last year, the vet from a well know equine practice did not pick up his problems. Fortunately the specialist who treated him vetted current horse for me as a client. They are the only vet I trust.

Even paying to get half a dozen horses vetted and only buying one, can very quickly and easily turn into a much cheaper investment than paying a bill for something avoidable that would have been picked up.

I did. Spent small fortune, she passed. 3 weeks later turns out vet missed a sarcoid.