There are many important things that go along with owning a horse. Proper feeding, equipment, and grooming are essentials. One thing that some owners look over though are important to your horses health. For many of us, the vet may not be able to come exactly when you need him/her. It is important to be able to take your horse's vital signs so you can relay important information to your vet in an emergency. It really is a pretty easy task. To monitor your horse's respiration rate, watch his ribs rise and fall and count how many breaths he takes in a minute.
The pulse can be found in a couple of places: inside the lower jawbone, behind the left elbow and behind the knee. A normal pulse is around 32 beats per minute. Don't be alarmed if you take his pulse after working him and it is over 100. This is normal after exercise.
A horse's temperature should be between 98 and 101 degrees F. If it is above 102 it could show a problem and you should contact your vet.
Some important tools to get are a stethoscope which you can easily buy online for prices anywhere between 15 and 50 dollars. A rectal thermometer is also important to take your horse's temperature when you feel something is up.
The important thing to remember is that in an emergency, your vet is the authority on your horse's injury or illness and you should listen to his or her advice. Knowing how to check your horses vital signs is not a replacement for veterinary care. It is a tool to assess whether there is a problem with your horse and whether or not you should seek veterinary assistance.
