Volume 1: Issue 1
 

KNOW YOUR HORSE - What Every Horse Owner Should Know

Normal Body Temperature 99 – 101 F If you don’t know how to take your horse’s temperature, have your Vet show you how. Always keep your thermometer handy.

Normal Pulse 30 – 40 beats per minute for an adult  If you’re not sure, have your Vet show you how.

Normal Respiratory rate 6 – 14 breaths per minute for an adult Often this is irregular and hard to count.  A sustained rate of 20 or so at rest would be normal.

Normal Intestinal Activity You can hear normal intestinal sounds without a stethoscope Listen to your horse regularly with your bare ear so that you can recognize normal and abnormal sounds and activity.

                                   
Recognize Abnormal Behaviours and know “Best Bets” for the cause

Off Food > Colic – watch for other signs >Fever – take temperatureo Teeth problemso Water deprivationo Other medical problems

Laying Down > Colic – watch for other signs > Founder/Laminitis (stiff, stilted gate and feet are warm)

Eating Slow >Fever > Urinary disease

Diarrhea > Dietary change>Colic  - watch for other signs>Other medical problems (often abnormal temperature and loss of appetite)

Stiff and Reluctant to move >Tying up – onset during exercise > Laminitis – hindquarters tucked up and feet warmo Early Colic – watch for other signs

Straining to Pass Manure>Colic

Straining to Urinate > Colic > Urinary disease

Severe Lameness – one foot > Abscesso Nail or stoneo Punctureo Fracture

Pawing, Stretching, Looking at Sides, Rolling, Laying Down > Colic

Depressed > Fever > Colic

Snotty Nose/Cough >Upper respiratory infection – check temperature> Lower respiratory infection – check temperatureo Allergic – irritated attitude, appetite and temperature normal

Runny Eyes > In both eyes and non-painful – could be allergy > In one eye and non-painful – could be blocked tear duct > In one eye and painful – could be injury or infection so call your Vet


ALWAYS REMEMBER…WHEN IN DOUBT….CALL YOUR VET

© Wendy Teddiman, Trainer (wen-dacres@cox.net)  (http://Wen-D-Acres.com)  (http://shop.wen-d-acres.com) 949-357-8040