by Terrie Vickers
1. First of all you should have a base line of your horses’ vitals. This will helpful for you & to pass on to the vet if needed. You should write this down for your records.
2. Heart Rate: this should be a resting heart rate. Normal: 30-40 beats per minute. Trouble: 50 beats per minute or faster (may indicate pain, shock, dehydration, or fever).
How to check: Take the pulse at the mandible artery, which passes under the lower edge jaw (either side). Feel for a notch on the lower edge of the bone; the artery is right there. Count beats for 15 seconds & multiply by 4 to get rate. You can also find the pulse under the horses left elbow & just above the fetlock, where major arteries run between the tendons.
3. Body Temperature: average temperature ranges from 97 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to check: Use a flexible, non-glass thermometer with KY jelly or petroleum jelly, before inserting into rectum; you might want to add a string to this so you won’t lose it in the horse.
4. Capillary refill time: This is the time it takes for color to return to a horse gum tissue next to they teeth after pressing & releasing your finger. It should be 2 seconds less.
5. Membrane color: The color of the mucus membranes of gums should be salmon pink.
6. Dehydration; Just pinch or fold a flap of skin on neck & then quickly release it. It should immediately snap back into place. Failure to do so is evidence of dehydration. Find some shade & water.
7. Respiratory Rate: This should be 12-20 beats per minute at rest. This rate should never exceed the heart pulse rate.
2. Heart Rate: this should be a resting heart rate. Normal: 30-40 beats per minute. Trouble: 50 beats per minute or faster (may indicate pain, shock, dehydration, or fever).
How to check: Take the pulse at the mandible artery, which passes under the lower edge jaw (either side). Feel for a notch on the lower edge of the bone; the artery is right there. Count beats for 15 seconds & multiply by 4 to get rate. You can also find the pulse under the horses left elbow & just above the fetlock, where major arteries run between the tendons.
3. Body Temperature: average temperature ranges from 97 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.How to check: Use a flexible, non-glass thermometer with KY jelly or petroleum jelly, before inserting into rectum; you might want to add a string to this so you won’t lose it in the horse.
4. Capillary refill time: This is the time it takes for color to return to a horse gum tissue next to they teeth after pressing & releasing your finger. It should be 2 seconds less.
5. Membrane color: The color of the mucus membranes of gums should be salmon pink.6. Dehydration; Just pinch or fold a flap of skin on neck & then quickly release it. It should immediately snap back into place. Failure to do so is evidence of dehydration. Find some shade & water.
7. Respiratory Rate: This should be 12-20 beats per minute at rest. This rate should never exceed the heart pulse rate.
As always check with your veterinarian
Vital information that every horse owner should know and I am ashamed to say that I didn't know that information. We will use this for a good family night activity and teach everyone. Thanks
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