What's Normal
Normal Rectal Temperature: 99.5' to 101.5' F. If the horse's temperature exceeds 102.5' F, contact your veterinarian immediately. Temperatures over 103' F indicate a serious disorder. The temperature is taken using an equine thermometer (modern digital versions are preferable to mercury-based ones). After being lubricated, the thermometer should be partially inserted into the horse’s rectum and tilted slightly so that it rests against the rectal wall. Hold the thermometer in place for a full minute before removing. The reading may then be viewed.
Normal Pulse Rate: 30-42 beats per minute. Take pulse where the facial artery passes under the lower jaw. It is sometimes difficult to find because the facial artery is small, about the size of a pencil. Using two fingers, locate the artery, count the number of pulses for 20 seconds, multiply by 3 to obtain pulse rate. If you have a stethoscope, the best access to the heart is on the left side. If the horse shows signs of a fever or appears to be in pain, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Normal Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute. Place your horse’s left foot forward with a stethoscope 5 inches behind and 7 inches above the elbow. You should hear gentle blowing sounds, similar to someone blowing on a hot drink. Listen for unimpeded airflow. When listening to the lungs, most noises should be heard over a 3- or 4-inch section of chest wall. The respiration rate should never be greater than the heart rate.
Capillary refill time (the time it takes the blood-carrying capillaries to refill after you press on them). Press a thumb briefly against your horse's gums, it should go white and then get pink again quickly. It should not take more than 2 seconds.
Pinch Test-Dehydration. If you gently "pinch" your horse's neck, pulling up a little "tent" of skin, it should flatten immediately. If the skin stays "tented," the horse may be dehydrated.
Color of the mucous membranes of gums, nostrils, conjunctiva (inner eye tissue), and inner lips of vulva should be pink. Bright red, pale pink to white or bluish-purple coloring may indicate problems. Often a horse who is feeling unwell will have pale gums.
Feces and Urine Color, consistency, and volume of feces and urine should be typical of that individual's usual excretions. Straining or failure to excrete should be noted. Your horse should have small, firm fecal balls. Be on the lookout for parasite larva or sand in the feces. Consult with your veterinarian if you see any atypical signs.
Gut sounds With the stethoscope, listen behind the ribcage against your horse’s lower flank, for at least one minute. Move the stethoscope higher on his flank and listen again. Repeat the process on his other flank. Normally you'll hear two to four soft bubbles/gurgles per minute, and one loud grumbling sound every two to three minutes. If his gut sounds are louder and more frequent, he may be experiencing mild colic. Learn what is normal for your horse; be concerned if you do not hear gurgles.