The Public Auction Task Force of the American
Association of Equine Practitioners has developed recommendations
regarding the use of radiographic reports as part of the pre-purchase
exams that are conducted on horses for sale at public auctions.
The goal of the task force is to promote ethical practices
during the sales process, particularly at Thoroughbred auctions.
“We view our recommendations as a ‘best practices’
approach that is applicable to veterinarians as well as buyers
and sellers,” said Harry W. Werner, VMD, AAEP president. “It
is our hope that everyone involved in the buying and selling
of horses will embrace the highest standards of professional
behavior.”
Following are key principles from the task
force:
· Interpretation of radiographs should
be performed by a veterinarian retained to represent the buyer.
The integrity of the sales process could be jeopardized if
a buyer relies solely on a radiographic report provided by
the seller’s veterinarian.
· Modification or alteration of radiographic
reports by a veterinarian or anyone involved with the sales
process is considered unethical and fraudulent.
· Veterinarians with ownership in horses
being presented for sale at public auction should avoid being
involved in the representation of those horses to potential
buyers, including performing radiographic or endoscopic exams.
The AAEP’s complete recommendations can be
found at www.aaep.org/purchase_exams.htm.
“A sophisticated buyer will hire a veterinarian
to independently evaluate radiographs on his or her behalf
and give advice based on that buyer’s unique needs and risk
tolerance,” explained Stuart Brown, DVM, chair of the Public
Auction Task Force. “Using radiographic reports generated
by the seller’s own veterinarian does not ensure complete
transparency and increases the potential for ‘buyer’s remorse’
after the sale takes place.”
In addition to Dr. Brown, members of the Public
Auction Task Force are Jeff Berk, VMD; Jim Morehead, DVM;
Eric Peterson, DVM; Scott Pierce, DVM; Craig Van Balen, DVM;
Bob Bloomer, DVM; and Scott Hay, DVM.
Regarding the sale of horses at public auction,
the AAEP continues to evaluate other important areas, such
as the use of medication in sales horses, integrity issues,
and radiographic and endoscopic exam quality control. The
AAEP plans to host a meeting with other industry stakeholders
this summer to further discuss best practices in the public
auction arena.
For more information about the AAEP’s recommendations,
contact Sally Baker, director of marketing and public relations,
at (859) 233-0147 or sbaker@aaep.org.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners,
headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a
non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare
of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million
horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and
is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management,
research and continuing education in the equine veterinary
profession and horse industry.
