Horses are big active creatures and this means they can develop problems any time of the day or night. For this reason, checking your horse over for signs of injury or illness at least once a day and before and after every ride is important.
Smiling woman enjoying giving her white horse a pat and some words of praise.
Horses, like people, have a mind/body connection and if the body is healthy, the mind works well; if not the mind suffers also--another good reason to thoroughly check your horse daily.
© 2016 by Tandem New window.
It just takes a few minutes to make sure everything with your horse is in good order by considering the following key indicators related to horse health.
Temperature - An adult horse's body temperature should be between 99.5 and 101.5 F. While exercise may elevate a horse's temperature, it should return to normal after 90 minutes of rest.
Pulse - The heart rate in a resting adult horse is 30 to 42 beats per minute. Veterinarians recommend taking a horse's heart rate by placing a stethoscope on the rib cage just behind the left elbow.
Respiration - The normal respiration rate for a horse is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This number will increase as the horse works. If the respiration rate increases while the horse is at rest, this may indicate a problem. It is important to be familiar with what is normal for your horse to know when something is wrong.
Intestinal Sounds - A healthy horse will have gurgling gut sounds. If no sounds are audible, this can be a sign of colic or other intestinal issues. Call a vet any time your horse is showing signs of abdominal discomfort.
Capillary Refill Time - Testing a horse's capillary refill time is done by pressing your thumb to your horse's gums, using enough pressure that color is lost. After removing your thumb, count how many seconds it takes for the color to return. The normal capillary refill time is 2 seconds or less.
Healthy Hooves - If you don't pick the hooves on a daily basis, do check each hoof for rocks or signs of injury.
Hydration - Ensuring your horse is well hydrated is important. You can do a simple test by pinching the horse's skin where it is naturally taut, such as the neck or shoulder. The skin should immediately return to its original form. If it remains pinched, this may be a sign of dehydration.
Coat and Body Condition - Coat and body condition are subjective, and each horse is different. Typically, signs of trouble can be a dull coat or a horse that is obese or too thin. It's important to consult with your veterinarian to know what is normal for your horse and appropriate for his physical demands.
Eyes - A horse's eyes should be bright and clear. Sunken or squinty-looking eyes, discoloration, cloudiness, discharge and/or swelling are abnormal and may require a veterinarian's attention.
Nose - A horse may have clear discharge, but greenish, yellow, bloody or white discharge may all indicate a problem.
If your once-over indicates any problems, take positive action to prevent the problems from becoming worse. If necessary, get out your first-aid kit, or if the problem needs the attention of a veterinarian, follow through with a phone call either for an appointment or for information that will help you deal with the problem.
Horses, like people, have a mind/body connection and if the body is healthy, the mind works well; if not the mind suffers also--another good reason to thoroughly check your horse daily.