You are the expert!
Knowing your horse’s normal is key to picking up when they’re ‘not quite right’: a phrase I hear weekly. Although vets, farriers, physios, therapists and any other equine professionals are experts in their field, you are the expert when it comes to your horse. More often than not I am approached by owners who simply tell me their horse is ‘off’. They can’t put their finger on it exactly, but they know something isn’t right. You spend everyday with your horse, so you will pick up on the smallest of changes.
It’s important to remember though that you can pick up on problems before your horse gives you any physical signs. Although some horses are sensitive and will be an open book, most are very stoic and will not show pain or discomfort until it is quite severe. It is in their nature to hide any weaknesses as they are prey animals. To spot problems as early as possible, it is a good idea to monitor your horses vital signs.
Mucus membranes
Heart rate (beats per minute- bpm)
Respiratory rate (breaths per minute- bpm)
Temperature
Droppings
Behaviour
1. Mucus membranes
This includes your horses gums, nostrils and eyelids. The easiest way to check this is to know what your horse’s gums normally look like. They should be a nice salmon pink (some coloured horses have darker pigmented patches), moist and colour should return within a couple of seconds after being pressed: this indicates good cardiovascular health. If your horse’s gums are red, purple, white, yellow or tacky this could be a sign of illness.
2. Heart rate
A normal range is between 20-40 bpm, but this can be wider. Some horses may naturally have a lower heart rate, for instance bigger or fitter horses will sit much lower than a small pony. The reason it’s so important to know your horse’s normal is because a vet may have a reading of 40bpm (within the normal range), however if your horse usually sits at 20bpm this is double their natural heart rate! Ideally it’s best to measure heart rate daily for a week, calculate an average and then monitor every few weeks/ monthly.
Using a stethoscope, place it on the left side just behind the elbow with gentle but firm pressure. The heartbeat has two parts but this counts as one beat: record for one minute. If you are unsure, you can ask your vet to show you next time they visit. The alternative way of measuring bpm is measuring your horse’s pulse via the facial artery. This runs along the bottom of the cheek muscle where the throat lash and noseband sit. Using two fingers apply firm but gentle pressure.
3. Respiratory rate
A normal range is 8-16 bpm, but this vital is very easily affected by outside stimuli so it’s important to quietly observe your horse whilst measuring this. It’s also a good idea to measure this one first, especially if you are checking inside their mouth or measuring their temperature! Observing your horse’s abdomen, record one breath as both the rise and fall. Again measure this daily for a week and then calculate an average. It’s also important to consider if your horse has a cough or requires effort to breathe. Both of which aren’t normal and could indicate an issue with your horse’s respiratory system. A heave line or stance where the neck, head and tail is elongated (increases air flow) may develop if breathing requires effort for a longer period of time.
4. Temperature
A normal range for temperature is around 37-38.2 degrees, again this varies for every horse. The most accurate way to record temperature is via the rectal mucosa. Using a standard thermometer, insert at a slight angle to make contact with the wall of the rectum and to avoid taking the temperature of fecal matter. I wouldn’t recommend this if your horse is a kicker. Temperature can be a fantastic way to spot a problem with your horse early on such as an infection, flu or strangles. Make sure you clean the thermometer after each use. You can record this over the course of a day and then over a week, as temperature can fluctuate slightly, then calculate an average and measure every few days/weeks.
5. Droppings
Most owners are well acquainted with their horse’s poo, which in actual fact is fantastic! A change in the number of droppings, consistency or colour could be an indicator to a problem arising. As waste is matter that has passed through the whole of the body, a number of things can affect it. Colic, dehydration and insufficient forage can all manifest in droppings. If your horse is at a livery yard, speak to the owner/ manager about keeping a record.
6. Behaviour
Lastly, small behaviour changes are vital. In general horses aren’t naughty, there is more than likely a very good reason for their behaviour and it is our job to listen to them. An indicator of pain could be your usually quiet horse greeting you with a bite or flat ears, or your usually lively horse standing quietly by the gate at dinner time. The list of small cues is endless but they won’t all apply to your horse, the things to look out for are those that aren’t normal for your horse.
It’s important to remember how well you know your horse, little quirks and habits they have will be completely unknown to the professional you have asked to check them over. The more information you can provide the better, and you will quickly become a very popular client!