Vital Signs
Every horse owner needs to know what is “normal” for their horse. Knowing how your horse acts and reacts when he is feeling good will help you to more quickly realize when there is something ‘not right’ with him. Reporting all of the signs before veterinary help arrives can often give a much clearer picture on the level of concern and the response rate. Knowing the vital signs, learning what is normal and what is not will help you take better care and assist you when calling your veterinarian.
| Temperature: 99—100ºF OR 37.5—38.5 ºC |
| Pulse: 36-40 beats per minute |
| Respiration: 8-12 breaths per minute |
| Capillary Refill Time: Less than 2 seconds |
Temperature: Take your horse's temperature when he is healthy so you can get a normal reading for him. The normal temperature for the horse is 99.5 degrees. However, a horse's temperature can vary somewhat with the season. The summer heat, as well as any exercise, can often raise the core temperature upward even without a fever. This must be taken into account when the assessment is made. A high fever doesn't always indicate a severe condition, but if his temperature is over 102 F, you should call your veterinarian.
How To Take a Horse's Temperature:
The most accurate way to take a horse's temperature is rectally. The plastic digital thermometers work very well and are generally easier to use, and most of them beep when they are done. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Move the horse's tail to the side and out of the way and insert the thermometer into the horse's rectum, angled slightly towards the ground. Stand close to the horse's hip, do not stand directly behind the horse. Important: Always clean the thermometer well before returning it to its case to prevent the spread of disease.
Pulse: The normal pulse rate, most often taken by listening to the heart on the left side of the chest just behind the left elbow, is 40 beats per minute. However this can vary depending on how the horse is feeling. Another place is to feel for the pulse under the horses cheek bone. To determine the heart rate listen or feel for one minute.
Respiration: The normal rate for horses is between 8-12 breaths per minute. However, many things can effect this that must be taken into consideration before considering whether it is abnormal. Deep heavy breathing, or breathing with an extra abdominal effort, abnormal noise, labored breathing, or gasping are all indications of very serious problems. Report any observations that are anything but quiet and easy breathing.
Mucus Membrane Colour: The normal color is pink. Gums that are pale, deep red, purple, overly yellow, or streaked with the appearance of small broken blood vessels are abnormal and should be recorded. Some of the causes for abnormal appearance are listed below:
Pale: Low perfusion of blood indicating a "shock" condition.
Deep red: Congested membranes, also a shock type condition with toxicity.
Purple or blue: Low oxygen levels or serious toxicosis.
Overly yellow: Gums are normally slightly yellow, but very yellow may be a liver problem.
Capillary Refill Time: After depressing the gums, the color should return within 1-2 seconds. Delayed return of
color, 3 seconds or more, is an indication of poor blood perfusion, often brought on by serious dehydration, shock, or other toxicosis.
Borborygmus: This refers to the sounds that the gut makes in digesting the feed. A horse should have a normal gurgling sound on both sides of the abdomen back near the flanks. Several horses should be assessed before making a determination of what can be considered "normal", "none", "low", or "hypermotile". During colic episodes, horses with little or no gut sounds may be in serious condition. A hypermotile gut may be indicating an irritation, and this may be coupled with a loose stool or diarrhea. Assessing the gut sounds from one moment to the next may indicate whether a horse's condition is improving or deteriorating.
The most accurate way to take a horse's temperature is rectally. The plastic digital thermometers work very well and are generally easier to use, and most of them beep when they are done. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Move the horse's tail to the side and out of the way and insert the thermometer into the horse's rectum, angled slightly towards the ground. Stand close to the horse's hip, do not stand directly behind the horse. Important: Always clean the thermometer well before returning it to its case to prevent the spread of disease.
Pulse: The normal pulse rate, most often taken by listening to the heart on the left side of the chest just behind the left elbow, is 40 beats per minute. However this can vary depending on how the horse is feeling. Another place is to feel for the pulse under the horses cheek bone. To determine the heart rate listen or feel for one minute.
Respiration: The normal rate for horses is between 8-12 breaths per minute. However, many things can effect this that must be taken into consideration before considering whether it is abnormal. Deep heavy breathing, or breathing with an extra abdominal effort, abnormal noise, labored breathing, or gasping are all indications of very serious problems. Report any observations that are anything but quiet and easy breathing.
Mucus Membrane Colour: The normal color is pink. Gums that are pale, deep red, purple, overly yellow, or streaked with the appearance of small broken blood vessels are abnormal and should be recorded. Some of the causes for abnormal appearance are listed below:
Pale: Low perfusion of blood indicating a "shock" condition.
Deep red: Congested membranes, also a shock type condition with toxicity.
Purple or blue: Low oxygen levels or serious toxicosis.
Overly yellow: Gums are normally slightly yellow, but very yellow may be a liver problem.
Capillary Refill Time: After depressing the gums, the color should return within 1-2 seconds. Delayed return of
color, 3 seconds or more, is an indication of poor blood perfusion, often brought on by serious dehydration, shock, or other toxicosis.
Borborygmus: This refers to the sounds that the gut makes in digesting the feed. A horse should have a normal gurgling sound on both sides of the abdomen back near the flanks. Several horses should be assessed before making a determination of what can be considered "normal", "none", "low", or "hypermotile". During colic episodes, horses with little or no gut sounds may be in serious condition. A hypermotile gut may be indicating an irritation, and this may be coupled with a loose stool or diarrhea. Assessing the gut sounds from one moment to the next may indicate whether a horse's condition is improving or deteriorating.
Please note: advice given as a guide only and specific advice may vary for individual horses. OES does not accept responsibility for any problems resulting from inappropriate interpretation of advice. If you have any doubt about your horse's health, always consult a vet.