Vital Signs and Warning Signs
Temperature
99 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit: may be slightly higher in hot weather. Foals can go to 102 easily if excited. Don't be alarmed about a fever unless it persists a few days over 102 this is the body's natural defense against bacteria and infection. If it persists or you notice cold and patchy sweating call your Vet immediately.
How to take the temperature
Use a heavy duty large animal thermometer with petroleum jelly on the end of it and insert it into the rectum. It is helpful if it has a small hole to place a small string or fishing twine with an alligator clip on the end. This will prevent it falling out when the horse swishes his tail. Digital is a wonderful thing but remember the petroleum
Pulse
30-48 beats per minute. Only be concerned if it is greater than 60 at rest and it is irregular. Such as the rate not going down after riding and the horse having difficulty breathing. In those cases call your Vet immediately as their could be heart trouble.
How to check his pulse
There are several ways to check for pulse. Take three fingers together and press on the outside of the hind leg below the hock, on the foreleg over the sesamoid bones, on the lower jaw, the central artery of the ear, behind the elbow on some horses or with a stethoscope over the heart.
Respiration
Should be 8 to 16 breaths per minute depending on the activity level. Nice smelling breath should pass through each nostril. Be alarmed if there is difficulty breathing , exaggerated rib movements, unusual flair in the nostrils or loud noises with each breath.
Capillary Refill
By pressing the gum--it should recolor in 1 to 2 seconds.
Hydration level
Pinch the horse's skin on his neck and the skin fold should not remain elevated for less than 2 seconds. If it remains elevated for more than 6 seconds there is an 8 to 10 percent loss of body fluids.
Warning Signs
Lack of appetite, this is unusual for any horse.
Lack of gut sounds. Should be gurgling. (behind rib cage before stifle)
White gums-- should be pink--any other color act immediately.
Standing like a sawhorse, contorted or feet extended
forward while placing all of his weight to the back.
Lowered head with drooping ears and a dull eye.
Inability to get up and extreme reluctance to move.
Unsteadiness of gait, staggering and in-coordination.
Oozing eyes--early warning of sinus infections. (flys drink out of their eyes)
Any visible signs of pain or bleeding.
Check for Shock: Signs your horse may be in danger of shock:
-- Dramatically pale gums
-- Acting weak, wobbly or "spacey"
-- Whites of the eye are ghostly white and
totally opaque, without thin blood vessels visible
by colored part of eye
-- Capillary refill time (CRT) longer than 3 seconds
-- Skin pinch test to neck remains "tented" longer than 1/2 second
Check for Founder: Feel for excess heat in the hoof walls, especially in front feet. Normally, hooves will feel cool, even in hot weather. If horse is starting to founder, hooves will feel warm. Check for a digital pulse with your fingertips over the back andside of the pastern bone beneath the fetlock. Digital pulse is hard to find in a normal horse, but
obvious in the foundering horse.
This information is not meant to take the place of your professional Veterinarian's opinion but an aid in getting your horse the care he or she needs as quickly as possible.
