Pre-purchase Examinations
An Equine Pre-Purchase can only be performed by a Pre- Purchase accredited veterinarian. They are requested by the person buying the horse and can be performed at different levels.
A 2-stage examination involves firstly a detailed check of the entire horse at rest. Eyes, ears, mouth, feet, and skin are all examined as well as conformation and demeanour. Assessments of heart, lung, and gut function are also made. The second stage involves the locomotion of the horse. This includes flexion tests and lunging in both directions to establish if there is any lameness or deficits present.
A 5-stage exam includes all the above but also includes observation of the horse when ridden and its ability to recover after strenuous exercise.
Ancillary tests can also be requested. These include blood tests, radiographs, electro-cardiograph, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
Once the examination is complete a report for the buyer is completed and this will hopefully help with their decision of whether to buy the horse or not.
Equine Dentistry
Dental check-ups are essential to a horse’s health and well-being. Horses’ teeth continue to erupt from the gums throughout their life and uneven wear can result in sharp points on the teeth. These points can abrade the cheeks and tongue, causing pain and discomfort. We are lucky to have veterinarians experienced in horse dental care and have facilities to perform a thorough check-up both on farm or at the clinic. We are able to use our dental power float to safely and effectively remove any sharp edges, allowing your horse to eat without pain and also to ensure that the balance within the horse’s mouth is as good as it can be. With the use of sedation and a Hausmann gag, we are able to thoroughly examine the mouth safely and stress-free for the horse.
Surgeries
Our vets offer a range of equine surgical options including castration, hernia repair and lacerations. Surgeries can be performed at the clinic or on-farm depending on the facilities.
Breeding Services
NSVets offers a full range of mare reproductive services including ultrasound exam, artificial insemination (fresh & frozen) and pregnancy testing. We also offer low dose uterine horn insemination techniques and embryo transfer.
Diagnostics & Imaging
Getting to the bottom of health and lameness concerns can be frustrating and time-consuming. At NSVets we have a range of tools to help us get a quick and accurate diagnosis with digital X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy and in-house blood analysis equipment available.
