Yearling purchase

Question
I'm a first timer looking at a yearling for purchase. Please advise on required pre purchase examination, should x-raying of the knees be included?

Thanks for your advise.

Answer
Georgie,

I would say that it depends on how much you're spending.  Since all Thoroughbreds have just turned a year old on January 1, they really shouldn't have any potential training/stress issues in their joints yet, and if the yearling in question is relatively inexpensive, I probably wouldn't bother, if it were me.  If you are spending an amount that makes you nervous about the situation, then by all means do an extensive pre-purchase exam that includes x-rays of all the major joint areas, just to be certain.  Also, if the knees look suspect in any way, I would x-ray regardless.  Scoping generally isn't very reliable in this young a horse, so I probably wouldn't bother with that at this age.
If you are buying the baby out of a maor sale, then there should be x-rays available in the repository, and you can have your vet look at them, saving the expense of having new ones done.
Good luck with your purchase,

Stephanie Frost
www.AlchemyBloodstock.com