One of the considerations when you are buying a horse is the veterinary exam. The purpose is to try to uncover any hidden health problems with the horse that might make it unsuitable for your intended purpose. The best time for a vet check is after you have ridden the horse on several occasions and decided that you like the horse and the price is right. It is best to have the horse examined after the horse has been away from the seller for at least three days to allow any drugs to clear his system, but this is not always possible. Some sellers are understandably reluctant to allow a horse off the farm for trial; nevertheless, trials are becoming a more common practice; you can ask. This article concerns itself with describing the prepurchase exam.