Handelsundersøgelse ved køb og salg af heste

For English see below

Hos JustHorsies ønsker vi at hjælpe så mange som muligt med at gennemføre en god handel – både købere og sælgere. Handelsundersøgelsen er en afgørende faktor i de fleste hestehandler og derfor sætter vi i nedenstående artikel fokus på denne.

At handelsundersøgelsen sætter en stopper for ca. 10% af forventede handler indikerer, at den er vigtig. Derfor har vi talt med dyrlæge Henrik Sten Andersen fra Hørsholm Hestepraksis om netop handelsundersøgelsen; dens formål og indhold samt hvad man skal være opmærksom på.

Hvorfor er handelsundersøgelsen vigtig, og hvilket formål har den?
“Ved handelsundersøgelsen finder vi ud af, hvordan hesten har det i det øjeblik, den bliver undersøgt. Vi ved ikke om den fejlede noget dagen inden, eller om den bliver syg dagen efter”.
Henrik Sten Andersen, Dyrlæge, Hørsholm Hestepraksis

Dermed er handelsundersøgelsen ikke en garanti for, at hesten ikke på et senere tidspunkt kan komme til at fejle noget, men vi får et godt indblik i, om den pågældende hest er sund og rask og egnet til det formål, den skal bruges til.

Dyrlæge Henrik Sten Andersen fra Hørsholm Hestepraksis udtaler også:
“Desuden finder vi naturligvis kun ud af om hesten er OK dér, hvor vi undersøger den. Selvom hesten går igennem handelsundersøgelsen, kan den have fejl dér hvor vi ikke undersøger den.”

Oftest er det køber, der ønsker en handelsundersøgelse gennemført, men handelsundersøgelsen er også værdifuld for sælger. Netop fordi handelsundersøgelsen giver et godt og vigtigt billede af hestens sundhedstilstand på handelstidspunktet, er den god for begge parter at læne sig op af, skulle der blive problemer med hesten på et senere tidspunkt.

Desuden er det naturligvis rart for sælger at være forsikret om, at den hest man overleverer til en ny ejer er sund og rask ved overdragelsen.

Handelsundersøgelsens elementer; hvor omfattende bør den være?
Handelsundersøgelsen består af flere elementer og kan være mere eller mindre omfattende, alt efter hvad parterne aftaler.

Enighed om omfanget af undersøgelsen mellem køber og sælger
Hos Hørsholm Hestepraksis skal både køber og sælger udfylde et online aftalegrundlag senet 24 timer inden undersøgelsens udførsel. I dette besluttes det, hvilke elementer der skal indgå i handelsundersøgelsen.

Udover at sikkerheden for at man køber en sund hest bliver større jo mere man undersøger, er det også væsentligt i forhold til om eller hvordan man ønsker at forsikre hesten, hvor meget man vælger at få undersøgt.

Selve undersøgelsen er todelt: Den kliniske del og den røntgenologiske del
Typisk deles handelsundersøgelsen i to; den kliniske og den røntgenologiske.

Den kliniske del kan godt stå alene, og tilvælger man røntgenundersøgelse kan dette være enten kun af hestens ben eller også hele eller dele af hestens overlinje.

Henrik Sten Andersen lægger dog vægt på altid at starte handelsundersøgelsen med at gøre især køber opmærksom på, at matchet mellem hest og rytter er vigtigt og en forudsætning for at det kan svare sig at lade hesten gennemføre handelsundersøgelsen.

”Det er vigtigt at køber føler sig godt tilpas med at købe hesten i fald den går igennem handelsundersøgelsen. Inden man kommer til dyrlæge for at få gennemført denne, er det derfor vigtigt at man som køber er afklaret med at hesten passer til ens behov, herunder ridbarhed”.

Desuden er det vigtigt for Henrik Sten Andersen at få kendskab til hestens baggrund, eventuel tidligere sygehistorik samt at vide, hvad hesten skal bruges til i fremtiden, hvis handlen går igennem. Når man udfylder sit aftalegrundlag inden handelsundersøgelsen, er det også en mulighed at bede dyrlæge gennemgå hestens dyrlægejournal sammen med både køber og sælger. Dette kan give et indblik i, om der har været nogle forhold ved hesten tidligere, som er af betydning eller som kan risikere at få betydning senere.

Den kliniske del af undersøgelsen
Der startes som udgangspunkt med den kliniske del af undersøgelsen, hvor dyrlægen gennemgår hesten. Når selve undersøgelsen går i gang, undersøger dyrlægen først hesten i stalden.

Dér tjekkes som udgangspunkt:

• Hestens hoved inkl.
  • Mund, mundhule og tænder
  • Øjne
• Nakke, hals og ryg herunder
  • Reflekser
  • Symmetri
• Ben og hove
• Eventuelle ømheder og hævelser undersøges mere grundigt
• Hjerte og lunger
• Neurologi

Mønstring
Er alt fint ved ovenstående fortsætter undersøgelsen i ridehuset eller på ridebanen, hvor dyrlægen først ser hesten mønstret ligeud i både skridt og trav for at tjekke, om hesten er rengående og for at se om den bevæger sig symmetrisk. Dernæst longeres hesten både i trav og galop på begge volter; ligeledes for at se om hesten bevæger sig ubesværet, taktfast og uden halthed. Hesten skal desuden ses i longe i trav på en lille volte på fast bund.

Desuden lytter dyrlægen på hesten igen, efter den har fået pulsen op. Det kan tilvælges at dyrlægen også ser hesten under rytter.

Bøjeprøve
Det er forskelligt fra dyrlæge til dyrlæge hvornår i den ”dynamiske” del af undersøgelsen at bøjeprøven udføres i forhold til ovenstående mønstring.

I bøjeprøven bøjer dyrlægen hestens ben ét ad gangen, og umiddelbart efter bøjning af ét ben mønstres den i trav og tjekkes dermed for eventuel halthed. Bøjeprøven lægger lidt ekstra belastning på led og sener og en eventuel ømhed/ skade vil give udslag i en halthed på benet ved den efterfølgende mønstring. Resultatet af bøjeprøverne ses i lyset af hestens alder, størrelse, brugstype og evt. tidligere skadeshistorik.

Den røntgenologiske del
Når hesten er igennem den kliniske handelsundersøgelse, kan man fortsætte med den røntgenologiske del, hvis man har valgt det.

Her tager dyrlægen røntgenbilleder af hestens ben og hove og eventuelt dens overlinje alt efter, hvad køber og sælger har truffet beslutning om. Dyrlægen foretager en vurdering af de knogler og led, som der er taget røntgenbilleder af og vurderer, om der er forandringer eller afvigelser. Undersøgelsen foretages ud fra en standardiseret røntgenprotokol.

Nogle forandringer kan have stor betydning for hestens holdbarhed, mens andre oftest er helt uden betydning. Dyrlægen vurderer overordnet hestens sundhedstilstand og vurderer, om eventuelle forandringer menes at udgøre en øget risiko for hestens fremtidige brug.

Dyrlægen kan ikke ud fra overbliksvurderingen af røntgenbillederne vurdere hestens fremtidige præstationsniveau eller holdbarhed, men kan alene forholde sig til, hvorvidt der er forandringer eller afvigelser i de knogler, som der er foretaget røntgenbilleder af.

Konklusion: Dyrlægen giver en risikovurdering, som det er op til handlens parter at vurdere
Når hele undersøgelsen er gennemført, udfylder dyrlægen en handelsattest for hesten. Heri noterer dyrlægen, hvilke undersøgelser der er foretaget og om der findes nogle afvigelser i disse.

Slutteligt, på baggrund af de udførte undersøgelser og drøftelser med køber og sælger foretager den undersøgende dyrlæge en overordnet risikovurdering af, hvorvidt hestens sundhedstilstand på dagen for undersøgelsen menes at udgøre en risiko for den påtænkte anvendelse af hesten.

Her kan dyrlægen konkluderer, at der er (i) en normal, (ii) let forøget risiko, (iii) forøget risiko eller (iv) betydelig risiko for at hestens sundhedstilstand vil få betydning for den påtænkte anvendelse. Der tages ikke stilling til hestens værdi, værdiforringelsen af evt. fund ved undersøgelsen eller hestens gensalgsværdi.

Dyrlægen kan også konkludere, at det ikke er muligt at foretage en risikovurdering af hestens sundhedstilstand uden en supplerende undersøgelse af hesten. F.eks. hvis hesten er halt eller skadet.

Dyrlægen kan altså alene give en risikovurdering af hestens nuværende sundhedstilstand og handelsundersøgelsen kan ikke forudsige hestens fremtidige præstationsniveau eller kapacitet.

Beslutningen om hvorvidt en handel gennemføres er selvfølgelig op til køberen af hesten.

The Equine Prepurchase Exam

The vetting is a crucial factor in most horse acquisitions. The fact that it prevents around 10% of expected deals indicates its importance. Therefore, we have spoken with veterinarian Henrik Sten Andersen from Hørsholm Hestepraksis in Denmark about the equine prepurchase exam; its purpose and content, as well as what to be aware of.

Why is the equine prepurchase exam important, and what is its purpose?

"Through the equine prepurchase exam, we determine the horse's condition at the moment it is examined. We don't know if it had any issues the day before or if it may fall sick the day after” says Henrik Sten Andersen, Veterinarian, Hørsholm Hestepraksis.

Thus, the equine prepurchase exam does not guarantee that the horse will not develop any issues at a later time, but it provides valuable insights into whether the specific horse is healthy, sound, and suitable for its intended purpose.

Veterinarian Henrik Sten Andersen from Hørsholm Hestepraksis states, "Furthermore, we only find out if the horse is okay at the specific time and location where we examine it. Even though the horse passes the equine prepurchase exam, it may have issues in areas we do not examine."

Most often, it is the buyer who requests a equine prepurchase exam, but it is also valuable for the seller. This is because the equine prepurchase exam provides a crucial and comprehensive assessment of the horse's health condition at the time of the trade, benefiting both parties in case of any later issues with the horse.
Moreover, it provides reassurance for the seller to know that the horse being handed over to a new owner is healthy and sound at the time of transfer.

The elements of the vetting; how extensive should it be?

The equine prepurchase exam consists of several elements and can vary in scope, depending on what the parties agree upon.

Agreement on the scope of the examination between the buyer and the seller

At Hørsholm Hestepraksis, both the buyer and the seller must fill out an online agreement form at least 24 hours before the examination. In this agreement, they decide which elements should be included in the equine prepurchase exam.

In addition to increasing the guarantee of buying a healthy horse with a more thorough examination, it is also essential regarding insurance for the horse and how much one chooses to have examined. Insurance companies require certain aspects to be examined and approved without any remarks for the horse to be insured. You can read more about horse insurance here.

Therefore, it is up to the buyer and the seller to reach an agreement on the extent of the examination they wish to have performed. The agreement form lists several aspects that can be chosen to include or exclude. For example, whether a riding test is desired, an extended oral cavity examination, or if a blood sample should be taken to check for undesirable substances in the horse's blood. The completed agreement form is sent back to the veterinarian, who performs the equine prepurchase exam based on it

The examination itself is divided into two parts: The clinical part and the radiological part.

Typically, the equine prepurchase exam is divided into two parts: the clinical examination and the radiological examination.

The clinical part can stand alone, and if the buyer chooses to include radiological examination, it can be focused either on the horse's legs or on the entire or parts of the horse's topline.

Henrik Sten Andersen, however, emphasizes the importance of starting the equine prepurchase exam by particularly drawing the buyer's attention to the match between the horse and the rider. It is crucial and a prerequisite for it to be worthwhile to have the horse undergo the equine prepurchase exam.

"It is essential for the buyer to feel comfortable with purchasing the horse if it passes the equine prepurchase exam. Before going to the veterinarian to have this done, it is crucial for the buyer to be clear about whether the horse suits their needs, including rideability."

Furthermore, it is important for Henrik Sten Andersen to have knowledge of the horse's background, any previous medical history, and to know the horse's intended use in the future if the trade goes through. When filling out the agreement form before the equine prepurchase exam, there is also an option to have the veterinarian review the horse's medical records together with both the buyer and the seller. This can provide insights into any previous conditions or issues with the horse that may be relevant or could potentially become significant later on.

The clinical part

The examination typically starts with the clinical part, where the veterinarian evaluates the horse. When the examination begins, the veterinarian first examines the horse in the stable.

The following is typically checked:

• The horse's head, including
  • Mouth, oral cavity, and teeth
  • Eyes
• Neck, neck, and back, including
  • Reflexes

• Symmetry

• Legs and hooves
• Any tenderness and swellings are examined more thoroughly
• Heart and lungs
• Neurology

Gait assessment

If everything is fine with the above, the examination continues in the riding arena or on the riding track, where the veterinarian first observes the horse being trotted and walked in a straight line to check its soundness and to see if it moves symmetrically. Next, the horse is lunged in both trot and canter on both reins to assess its movement for smoothness, regularity, and absence of lameness. The horse should be observed in motion on both hard and soft ground, including lunging in trot on a small circle on firm ground.

Furthermore, the veterinarian listens to the horse again after it has elevated its pulse. It can be chosen to have the veterinarian also observe the horse under saddle.

Flexion test

During the flexion test, the veterinarian flexes one of the horse's legs at a time, and immediately after the flexion of each leg, the horse is trotted to check for any lameness resulting from the added stress of the flexion test. The flexion test applies some extra stress on the joints and tendons, and any tenderness or injury may cause lameness in the leg during the subsequent gait assessment. The results of the flexion tests are interpreted in the context of the horse's age, size, intended use, and any previous injury history.

If the veterinarian identifies any "faults" in the horse during the clinical examination, the examination can be naturally discontinued. It is typically the buyer's decision whether a "fault," such as lameness or tenderness, should halt the further equine prepurchase exam and the potential purchase. The veterinarian will express their opinion on the possible implications of the fault for the horse's future, but ultimately, it is the buyer and the seller who determine whether the examination should proceed. If the buyer intends to insure the horse, it is worth considering how the insurance company will view the veterinarian's findings, as mentioned earlier.

The radiological part

Once the horse has completed the clinical equine prepurchase exam, the radiological part can be continued if chosen. In this phase, the veterinarian takes X-rays of the horse's legs and hooves, and possibly its topline, depending on the decisions made by the buyer and seller. The veterinarian assesses the bones and joints that have been X-rayed and evaluates whether there are any changes or abnormalities. The examination is conducted following a standardized X-ray protocol.

Some changes can have significant implications for the horse's durability, while others are often insignificant. The veterinarian assesses the overall health condition of the horse and determines whether any changes are believed to pose an increased risk for the horse's future use. However, based on the general assessment of the X-ray images, the veterinarian cannot predict the horse's future performance level or durability. They can only consider whether there are any changes or abnormalities in the bones that have been X-rayed.

Conclusion: The veterinarian provides a risk assessment, which is for the parties involved in theacquisition to evaluate.

Once the examination is completed, the veterinarian fills out a certificate for the horse. In this certificate, the veterinarian notes which examinations have been performed and whether any abnormalities were found.

Based on the conducted examinations and discussions with the buyer and seller, the examining veterinarian performs an overall risk assessment of whether the horse's health condition on the day of the examination is believed to pose a risk for the intended use of the horse. The veterinarian can conclude that there is (i) a normal, (ii) slightly increased, (iii) increased, or (iv) significant risk that the horse's health condition will affect the intended use. The assessment does not take into account the horse's value, the depreciation of any findings during the examination, or the horse's resale value.

The veterinarian may also conclude that it is not possible to assess the horse's health condition without further examination. For example, if the horse is lame or injured.

Thus, the veterinarian can only provide a risk assessment of the horse's current health condition, and the equine prepurchase exam cannot predict the horse's future performance level or capacity.

If one is pleased with a horse and has chosen to put it through the equine prepurchase exam before a purchase, and it passes without any remarks, it is probably not difficult to decide to proceed with the purchase.

However, if it turns out that the horse has remarks that the veterinarian considers might affect its use and which the insurance company would raise concerns about, then it becomes more challenging to make a decision.

Because of the risk of such a situation, it is essential for the buyer to choose a veterinarian they trust. Regardless, it is ultimately the buyer who decides whether a trade should be completed, and there are often many factors at play; the potential significance of the remarks and thus the risk, the intended use of the horse, how much one desires the horse, the price of the horse, etc.

Thus, the equine prepurchase exam is a crucial factor in an acquisition. It can be nerve-wracking for both the buyer and the seller but remember that it is better for both parties to become aware of any issues before an acquisition rather than afterward.