Normal Parameters for a healthy horse:
Heart Rate:
32-48 Beats per minute.
Take the heart rate on the left side of the horse behind the elbow. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4
Respiration Rate:
12-20 Respiration per minute.
This can be difficult to see, Easiest to look at the horses flank for movement. May take a few tries to count the number of breaths, but most important is HOW the horse is breathing ( rapid, struggling, shallow)
Gut Sounds:
Classified as present, not present, or overactive
Listen in 4 areas, In front of the point of the hip on the left and right, and below the flank slightly forward on the lower left and right. Move the stethoscope around if you are having trouble hearing gut sounds. Wait and listen as you may not hear anything at first.
Temperature:
97.0-101.5 degrees
Take the horses temperature rectally. Be sure to stand off to the side.
Mucous Membranes:
Described as pink, moist, tacky, dry, red, pale
Using your finger, run along the inside of the horses mouth between the upper lip and the teeth.
Capillary Refill Time (CRT):
>2 seconds
Press firmly on the gum until the color disappears. Then remove your finger and count how many seconds it takes for color to return.
