Conditions of Sale

It is important to be aware of the conditions of sale for each sales company. These conditions usually differ with the age of the horse, use of the horse, and sales company. Sales are weighted in favor of the consignors and conducted with an attitude of caveat emptor. The warranty is limited, with no implied warranty for use or soundness other than those conditions published in the sales catalog. The repository is an area at the sale location set up for viewing radiographs, and videotapes of the upper airway at rest, in selected horses. If veterinarians determine this information is not adequate or satisfactory, it is their responsibility to obtain the desired information. They should examine all available information carefully. If any problem is discovered after the sale that was evident in the repository information, the consignor is not liable. The sales company makes no warranty about the accuracy or completeness of repository information and makes no interpretation of it. Repository information is for the convenience of potential buyers and as a courtesy of the consignors and also decreases the exposure of yearlings to repetitive and stressful examinations. Other information, such as previous surgery, medical problems, eye problems, current medication, vaccination status, Coggins and equine viral arteritis status, and availability of radiographs, may be available from the consignor, if the veterinarian asks.

Presale or Postsale Examination

Currently many persons prefer presale inspection. This eliminates the process of arbitration, places the onus of disclosure on the consignor, and makes the buyer responsible for obtaining all available information before sale. If the buyer does not obtain such information (such as identification of a chip fracture), the buyer has no recourse. With examination after sale the only problems for which a horse may be returned are listed in the catalog as conditions of sale. The veterinarian is responsible for knowing these conditions and the terms under which arbitration can occur. Arbitration usually must be implemented within 24 hours after the sale of the yearling, and the yearling must still be on the sale grounds. Failure to comply with this negates any chance of arbitration.¹⁴ Arbitration usually involves three veterinarians representing the sales company, the consignor, and the buyer respectively.

Clinical Examination

A yearling TB is immature, and its physical appearance may change considerably. Developing the skills to predict how each horse may develop by learning from experienced persons is worthwhile. Assess the general attitude of the horse, its eye, and its presence. Be aware that many yearlings are tranquilized for ease of inspection, so one may not get a true picture of the horse’s attitude, which can be important in training and racing. Evaluate the horse’s conformation (see Chapter 4). Look at the horse’s feet, because the old adage “no foot, no horse” is true. Assess the horse’s shoulder, hip, top line, and length of back and then the lower limbs. A good shoulder and hip can accommodate many conformational defects lower in the limb. In our opinion the following conformational abnormalities may predispose to lameness and should be avoided: back at the knee, tied in behind the knee, offset knees, and exceptionally straight hindlimbs. Carefully evaluate the shoeing and trimming of the feet, because good farriers can make a horse that toes in or out appear to be almost normal, and they are very adept at repairing an abnormal hoof appearance. After examining the horse walking in hand, perform a more detailed examination in the stall, out of sight of the general public, as a courtesy to the consignor. Assess carefully any swellings, and palpate the joints, tendons, and ligaments. Examine the eyes and auscultate the heart. Look for evidence of previous periosteal stripping or other surgery, evident as dermal thickening or white hair in areas where surgery is commonly performed.

Endoscopy, Echocardiography, and Ophthalmology

The veterinarian should ask the consignor or his manager for his assistance and permission to perform an endoscopic, radiographic, and echocardiographic examination of the horse, and should arrange a time to do so. A resting endoscopic examination of the horse’s upper airway should include stimulating the horse to swallow and holding off the horse’s airway. This allows more complete evaluation of the horse’s upper airway function at rest. Echocardiographic examination is not performed routinely but can be used to assess heart size and left ventricular free-wall contractility or to detect abnormalities.¹⁵ A brief eye examination should be conducted, looking carefully, in particular, for corneal scars.

Radiography and Radiology

For many yearlings, radiographs are obtained up to 30 days before the sale and are stored in the repository at the sale. Most states allow only veterinarians licensed in the state to examine these radiographs. The examining veterinarian is responsible for ensuring that all the desired images are present, that the radiographs are properly identified, and that they are of suitable quality. The radiographs should be interpreted carefully. If the radiographs are incomplete, of poor quality, or absent completely, the veterinarian should arrange to have his or her own complete set of radiographs obtained. In our opinion a comprehensive examination consists of 46 images, plus any additional images needed on the basis of clinical examination. These images include the following:

However, the following 36 images are those required by the Keeneland sales repository in 2009:

This provides a comprehensive, but not all-inclusive, picture of the horse’s musculoskeletal system. Other sales companies may have different requirements. The veterinarian is responsible for ascertaining the requirements.

A number of common radiological findings may eliminate a horse from further consideration.¹⁶ Fractures of the carpus, distal phalanx, tarsus, proximal sesamoid bones, and the second or fourth metacarpal (metatarsal) bones generally are considered unacceptable, whereas small osteochondral fragments on the dorsal aspect of a fetlock joint may be acceptable. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the carpus, fetlock, or proximal interphalangeal joint is not acceptable. However, small osteophytes on the dorsoproximal aspect of the third metatarsal bone (MtIII) do not necessarily preclude a successful athletic career.

The relevance of osteochondrosis depends on the location of the lesion, its size and severity, the presence or absence of OA, and the prognosis for racing after surgical treatment. A yearling with a small fragment may be amenable to surgical treatment and should be discussed with the buyer. If a fragment has been removed previously and no evidence of OA exists, the horse may be a reasonable risk for purchase. Horses with osteochondral fragmentation of the cranial aspect of the intermediate ridge of the tibia or small lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur usually are treated successfully by surgical removal. Horses with osteochondral fragments on the proximoplantar aspect of the proximal phalanx in the hindlimbs (which may actually be traumatic in origin) represent a reasonable risk.

If an osseous cystlike lesion is identified, especially one involving the stifle or fetlock, the horse generally should be considered at high risk for developing lameness. Other radiological abnormalities that may preclude purchase include sesamoiditis, laminitis, and active splints.

Few objective studies detailing the relevance of radiological changes and race performance are available for review. In a study to determine prevalence of radiological changes in the repository radiographs of 1162 TB yearlings selling in Kentucky, fragmentation of the dorsal proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx in the forelimb (1.6%) was more common than that of the palmar aspect (0.5%), whereas in the hindlimb fragmentation of the proximal plantar aspect of the proximal phalanx (5.9%) was more common than that of the dorsal aspect (3.3%).⁵ Radiolucent defects, bony fragments, and loose osseous fragments of the distal aspect of the third metacarpal bone (McIII, 2.8%) and the MtIII (3.2%) were found, and most yearlings (98%) had radiologically apparent vascular channels of the proximal sesamoid bones. Irregular channels (>2 mm wide or with nonparallel sides) were more common (79%) than were regular vascular channels (56%). The cranial aspect of the intermediate ridge of the tibia (4.4%) was the most common site of osteochondral fragmentation in the tarsus.⁵ The authors concluded that although some radiological changes were common, others such as fragmentation and radiolucent defects were uncommon, and if rare, the effect of radiological changes on race performance would be difficult to study.⁵ In a second study race performance of these yearlings was evaluated, and overall 81% started a race as a 2- or 3-year-old.⁶

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