This article first appeared in the January 2023 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what’s in the current issue, click here.

Matters of the heart

By Dr Maxine Brain

A recently released report on the follow-up of performance horses that had a cardiac abnormality identified as part of their pre-purchase exam (PPE) has highlighted the need to have horses fully evaluated when a murmur or arrhythmia is detected during a routine PPE.

The study follows up on a multitude of horses that presented with a cardiac abnormality during a routine pre-purchase examination and assesses whether the abnormalities detected affected the level of future performance or longevity at their current level of performance. One of the aims of the study was to assess whether the full cardiac workup done on the horses as a result of an abnormality detected during a PPE was able to accurately predict future performance regarding this abnormality.

As we know, PPEs are very valuable for prospective owners to achieve peace of mind when buying a new horse. Often the horse they are looking to buy is that “one horse” they think can lead them to that goal they have been aiming at for a very long time. Prospective owners have saved their money and want some sort of guarantee that the horse they buy is going to do the job they are purchasing it to do for many years…

Read the full article FREE in the January 2023 issue of Equestrian Life magazine here.