Abnormalities detected at pre-purchase examination of National Hunt racehorses presented at sale.
Authors: Barrett E, Arkins S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Abnormalities in National Hunt Thoroughbreds at Pre-Purchase Examination Barrett and Arkins' analysis of 13,603 pre-purchase veterinary certificates from Irish and UK Thoroughbred sales venues reveals that nearly three-quarters (73.6%) of 3- and 4-year-old National Hunt horses presented for sale carry some form of abnormality, with 12.0% harbouring findings considered likely to compromise racing performance. Metacarpal and metatarsal exostoses proved most prevalent at 17.1%, followed closely by tarsal-plantar desmitis (19.4%), whilst respiratory conditions including abnormal noise-making (9.9%) and recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (5.3%) were also commonly identified. The study's retrospective design examining pre-purchase certificates from Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs Ireland and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd. revealed significant associations between age, year of birth and sex with abnormality prevalence, and crucially demonstrated that prejudicial findings substantially impacted purchaser behaviour, with unaffected horses sold at rates of 77.6% compared to just 38.1% in those with concerning findings. Multiple abnormalities clustered significantly in lower-priced animals, indicating that purchasers—whether professional or private—actively discount or reject horses with multiple concurrent findings. For practitioners involved in pre-purchase examinations, these data underscore the commercial significance of meticulous documentation and clear communication regarding both individual and cumulative abnormalities, whilst for those selecting or advising on yearling purchases, the high baseline prevalence of radiographic and clinical abnormalities warrants appropriately calibrated expectations and emphasises the value of thorough examination over pedigree assessment alone.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Pre-purchase examinations should anticipate that 3 in 4 National Hunt horses will have some detectable abnormality; focus assessment on identifying those likely to impact racing performance rather than cosmetic findings
- •Metacarpal/metatarsal exostoses and tarsal-plantar desmitis are highly prevalent in this population—consider these findings in context of individual horse's intended use rather than as automatic deal-breakers
- •Buyers and vendors should understand that age, sex, and year of birth significantly influence abnormality prevalence; use this data to set realistic expectations during pre-purchase negotiations
Key Findings
- •73.6% of 3- and 4-year-old National Hunt Thoroughbreds presented at sale had detectable abnormalities
- •12.0% had abnormalities likely to prejudice their use for racing
- •Metacarpal/metatarsal exostoses (17.1%) and tarsal-plantar desmitis (19.4%) were the most prevalent specific conditions
- •Unaffected horses were significantly more likely to be sold (77.6%) compared to those with prejudicial findings (38.1%)
- •Multiple abnormalities and specific conditions significantly reduced sale price