Probably one of the most important things you need to know as a horse owner, especially if your horse is sick, is their vital
signs. First off you need to know what normal baseline vital signs are. Then in an emergency or in case of illness you can
check those vital signs to see if they are off.
Temperature: 99 to 101.5°F
Below normal temperature can be an indication of hypothermia or shock. An above normal temp can be an indication of
infection, fever, heat exhaustion, or from recent exercise.
Heart Rate: 30 to 44 beats per minute
Below normal heart rate can be from good athletic condition, heart problem, poisoning, hypothermia, or shock. An above
normal heart rate can from exercise, pain, fear, fever, heat exhaustion, shock, heart problem, or anxiety.
Respiratory Rate 10 to 15 breaths per minute
Below normal: good athletic condition, hypothermia, shock, or drug effect. Above normal: exercise, pain, fever, heat
exhaustion, electrolyte imbalance, shock, respiratory condition.
Capillary Refill Time: 1 to 2 seconds
Slower refill time can indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Faster refill time means that the horse's blood pressure is
elevated either from recent exercise, excitement/fear/anxiety.
Gut Sounds
If no gut tones are present it can be an indication that gut motility has been stopped, usually due to colic or an illness. Too
much gut tones/rumbling can be an indication of gas.
Gum Color
Gum color should be from a pale to bubble-gum pink. White gums indicate anemia or shock. Bright pink gums indicate
illness, poisoning, or shock. Brick-red, blue/purple, or muddy colored gums can indicate poisoning or shock.
signs. First off you need to know what normal baseline vital signs are. Then in an emergency or in case of illness you can
check those vital signs to see if they are off.
Temperature: 99 to 101.5°F
Below normal temperature can be an indication of hypothermia or shock. An above normal temp can be an indication of
infection, fever, heat exhaustion, or from recent exercise.
Heart Rate: 30 to 44 beats per minute
Below normal heart rate can be from good athletic condition, heart problem, poisoning, hypothermia, or shock. An above
normal heart rate can from exercise, pain, fear, fever, heat exhaustion, shock, heart problem, or anxiety.
Respiratory Rate 10 to 15 breaths per minute
Below normal: good athletic condition, hypothermia, shock, or drug effect. Above normal: exercise, pain, fever, heat
exhaustion, electrolyte imbalance, shock, respiratory condition.
Capillary Refill Time: 1 to 2 seconds
Slower refill time can indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Faster refill time means that the horse's blood pressure is
elevated either from recent exercise, excitement/fear/anxiety.
Gut Sounds
If no gut tones are present it can be an indication that gut motility has been stopped, usually due to colic or an illness. Too
much gut tones/rumbling can be an indication of gas.
Gum Color
Gum color should be from a pale to bubble-gum pink. White gums indicate anemia or shock. Bright pink gums indicate
illness, poisoning, or shock. Brick-red, blue/purple, or muddy colored gums can indicate poisoning or shock.
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| P. O. Box 926 Sahuarita, AZ 85629 * Phone: (520)762-3296 * E-mail: info@equinerecline.org |
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| Rescue, Rehabilitation, & Retirement Sahuarita, AZ |
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