Yes, a pre-purchase exam (or vet check) is very important and highly recommended. You may want to do a pre-purchase exam because your horse has a history of injury or illness, or because you want to be sure your horse is healthy before you buy him. For instance, a pre-purchase exam can rule out certain diseases that might otherwise be discovered only later, when the horse is too sick to completely recover. Veterinarians use a number of tests to check the health of your horse, and the results of the exam will tell you how well your horse is faring. The vet will examine your horse's eyes, teeth, skin, hooves, legs, ears, mouth and nose. The vet will also test your horse's muscles and reflexes.