What is a PPE?
The pre-purchase exam (PPE), also called "vetting", is a veterinary assessment of the horse at the time of purchase. It documents the current health status and forms the legal baseline for any later health issues.
Important: a PPE is not a guarantee. It's a snapshot. A horse that passes "without findings" today can go lame next week — that's not a defect.
Scope of a PPE
Two main types:
Small PPE (clinical only)
- General examination (heart, lungs, eyes, teeth)
- Movement assessment in hand and on lunge
- Flexion tests on all four legs
- Hoof examination
- Duration: 1–2 hours · Cost: €250–450
Full PPE (clinical + X-rays)
- Everything from the small PPE
- 12–18 X-ray images (hooves, hocks, stifles, fetlocks, neck optional)
- Blood test (doping/medications) optional
- Endoscopy (for sport horses) optional
- Tendon ultrasound optional
- Duration: 2–4 hours · Cost: €600–1,500
PPE Grades 1 to 4 explained
The grading system is not standardized nationally — every vet rates slightly differently. Rough orientation:
| Grade | Meaning | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No significant findings | Very low |
| 2 | Minor findings, no clinical relevance | Low (3–10%) |
| 3 | Findings that may cause problems | 15–50% |
| 4 | Significant findings with high risk | >50% |
Important to understand
Grade 2 is completely normal — most healthy sport horses have at least one Grade-2 finding. Demanding a pure Grade-1 horse is chasing a unicorn.
X-ray classes (RöLF)
The German FN's radiograph guidelines use four classes:
- I – Ideal finding
- II – Deviates from ideal, clinical signs unlikely (3%)
- III – Deviates from ideal, clinical signs possible (5–20%)
- IV – Deviates from ideal, clinical signs likely (>50%)
Class II is absolutely market-acceptable. For sport horses, Class III is acceptable in many areas.
What does a PPE cost in 2026?
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small clinical PPE | €250–450 |
| PPE with 6 standard X-rays | €450–700 |
| PPE with 12 X-rays | €700–1,100 |
| PPE with 18 X-rays (sport horse) | €1,100–1,500 |
| Endoscopy (additional) | €120–200 |
| Blood test | €80–200 |
The buyer usually pays. The PPE is performed by the buyer's chosen vet — even if the seller proposes someone else.
Tips for sellers
- Own pre-PPE? Worth it for horses above €15,000 to build trust. But: buyers will usually still do their own.
- Recent X-rays from your farrier/farm vet show transparency.
- Let the buyer pick the vet — anything else looks like distrust.
- Be open about history — it will show on X-rays anyway.
- For international sales: buyers often want an English-language PPE report.
Tips for buyers
- Pick your own vet — not the one the seller recommends.
- Be present at the PPE — get findings explained directly.
- Get the report in writing — including all X-rays digitally.
- Get a second opinion on findings from Grade 3 upward.
- Tell the vet the intended use — a leisure horse can have findings that would disqualify an M-level showjumper.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a horse PPE cost?
Small clinical PPE: €250–450. Full PPE with X-rays: €600–1,500 depending on the number of images.
Who pays for the PPE?
Typically the buyer. Some sellers do their own PPE upfront for marketing — but this is not legally accepted as a buyer's PPE.
What do PPE grades 1 to 4 mean?
Grade 1: no significant findings. Grade 2: minor findings, no clinical relevance. Grade 3: findings that may cause problems (15–50% risk). Grade 4: high risk findings.
How long is a PPE valid?
Legally the PPE describes the horse on the day of examination. In practice buyers accept a PPE for 2–4 weeks — after that, re-examinations are often required.
Can you buy a horse without a PPE?
Yes, legally — common for horses under €3,000. Above €5,000 we strongly recommend a PPE.
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