Evaluation Techniques

These evaluation techniques will help you identify when you need to call a veterinarian.

Temperature

To take your horse's temperature you may use a veterinary thermometer or a standard household thermometer. The newer digital thermometers are easier to read, but either type works. The veterinary thermometers are a little larger and easier to read as well as being somewhat stronger. It is a good idea to tie some string to the thermometer, put an alligator clip on the other end of the string and clip it to the tail hair when you take the temperature. This way, if your horse expels the thermometer while you are working on the other end, your thermometer won’t fall on the ground and get lost.

The easiest way to take the horse's temperature is rectally. Simply lubricate the thermometer with a little petroleum jelly or saliva from your mouth and insert the thermometer into the horse's rectum. Take the horse's temperature for at least three minutes to get an accurate reading.

Evaluating your findings

• A horse's normal body temperature runs 99.5-101.5 degrees F. Exercise, excitement, or warm weather, may cause your horse's temperature to be higher. It is a good idea to take your horse's temperature a number of different times, in a variety of situations so you will know what is normal for your horse.
• Temperatures over 102 degrees are usually related to some type of disease. Bacterial infections, such as respiratory colds and infected cuts usually generate temperatures in the 102.5-103.5 degree range.
• Viral infections cause either early subnormal temperatures (similar to chills one feels with a viral cold) to very elevated temperatures, 104.5-105.5 degrees.
• When you are concerned about possible illness, record the horse's temperature twice a day and look for patterns and changes.

Pulse

A horse's pulse can be taken from an area under the jaw, from beneath the tail at its bone, or from an area on the side of the horse's foot. If you can't find the pulse, your veterinarian can show you how to locate it. Simply placing your hand on the left side of your horse's chest under the elbow may also allow you to feel the beat of the heart.

The easiest way is to count heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply by four.

Evaluating your findings

• The pulse measures the rate at which the heart is beating. A healthy, resting horse has a heart rate of 30-42 beats per minute. Maximum heart rates can exceed 180 beats per minute, but a rate above 80 should be considered serious in most non-exercising horses. Heart rates that stay above 60 in a horse that is calm may be a sign of trouble. Just as in humans, a number of factors may cause an elevated heart rate. Exercise, stress, fear, and excitement, along with infection and/or trauma may cause an increase in the heart rate. A common cause of elevated heart rate is colic or intestinal pain. Such pain can cause mild to severe elevations, the degree of increase can be a sign of the severity of the colic pain.
• The strength of intensity of the pulse may be an indicator of your horse’s health. A weak pulse means the heart is not pumping forcefully and may indicate heart disease. While a strong or hard pulse will be felt in a horse that has been exercising, a strong pulse can also be felt as a reaction to some drugs, toxins or some disease conditions.

Knowing your horse's normal heart rate and the strength of its pulse under different conditions provides you with additional information by which to evaluate your horse’s health.

 

Respiration

A horse should spend roughly equal time breathing in and breathing out. Respiration can be counted by watching the horse's nostrils or watching the horse's torso at the end of the rib cage. Your goal is to establish your horses “respiration rate / minute”. As with the heart rate, count for 15 seconds and multiply by four.

Evaluating your findings

• A normal horse at rest breathes eight to 10 times per minute.
• High respiratory rates indicate over exertion, pain, excitement, or an elevated temperature.
• Thick mucous in the windpipe will increase respiration and make it harder for your horse to breathe. Allergies and heaves make it hard for horses to breathe out and can be easily heard.