HOW TO PERFORM A

PHYSICAL EXAM IN YOUR

HORSE
Carolina Lopez, DVM
Equine Medicine Resident
College of Veterinary Medicine
Washington State University
Case Scenario…
 You know your horse
 Eating behavior
 Habits
 Preferences
 But… Today things
change
 Call your vet
 Depressed and non-
eating.

 Can you tell what is

the severity of the
illness?
What you need to know?
 Basics of a physical examination
 Temperature

 Pulse

 Respiration

 Idea of the severity of the problem

For example…
 Call your vet
 Depressed and non-eating

+ Heart rate of
60 beats per minute
+ Temperature of
104.0 °F

 Will make it an
emergency rather than a
regular consult !!!!
Another Scenario…
 Horse quiet but doing
relatively normal

 Not terribly interested

on his/her grain

 Nothing else that you

could tell was wrong
Later that day…
Where do I start??
Tools You Need!!
 It may help to have a few supplies:

 Thermometer

 Stethoscope

 Watch
The Power of Observation…
The Power of Observation…
What to Watch For ?
 Valuable information can be obtained just by observing
posture, attitude and the environment

 Patterns of laying down and rest

 Normal exercise response

 Normal appetite

 Etc.
For example…
 Did the horse eat or drink last night?
 How many piles of manure where passed?
 Is the pain mild (Flank watching?) or…
 Is the pain severe (Sings of pacing, rolling in the
stall?)

 By using your power of observation you can

determinate what is normal or abnormal!
Basic Examination
 You can perform a basic physical exam before
calling your vet

 Exception of the rule if horse is in severe pain

(thrashing, rolling, or severely bleeding)

 Your power of observation can help determinate

what is wrong
Rectal Temperature
 Can be taken “easily” from most horses

 Approach the horse from the side

 DO NOT stand directly behind the horse

 Petrolleum jelly might help

 Make sure thermometer is tied to a clip and

attached to the tail
Rectal Temperature
Rectal Temperature
 Normal temperature:
 Adult horse is 99.5 – 101.5°F
 Foal 100 – 102 °F

 Fever indicates some type of severe stress - often

infection somewhere within the body
Pulse and Respiration
 Heart rate (pulse) and respiratory rate can be
taken without a stethoscope.
Pulse
Different Locations
1. Behind the eye
2. Underneath the jaw
3. Fetlock
Pulse
 Pulse can be taken for 15 seconds, then multiplied
by 4 to achieve the heart rate in beats per minute

 If stethoscope is available, left side of the horse is

preferred for the heart rate
Heart Rate
 Normal Heart Rate:
 Adult horse 24-36 beats per minute

 Foals varied with age

 Newborn foals ~80 beats perminute
 Decrease within 3-4 weeks of life

Each “Lub-dub” of the heart is considered one beat!

Respiratory Rate
 Can be taken by watching the horse breathe or
feeling the air come out of his/her nostrils

 Stethoscope can be used to listen the breaths

 Trachea sound clean and clear

Respiratory Rate
 The “character” of the respiration should be noted

 Is your horse taking a shallow or deep breaths?

 Any abnormal sounds every time he/she inhale or

exhale?
Respiratory Rate
 Normal for adult horse
 8 to 12 breaths per minute

 Normal for foals

 Newborn ~60 to 80 breaths per minute
 Foals within first weeks of life ~20 – 40 breaths per minute

REMINDER: If your foal or horse becomes excited for any

reason during your examination, it can elevate the heart
and respiratory rate temporarily
Mucuous Membranes
 Another indicator of
wellness

 Healthy horses have nice

pink gums that are moist
to the touch

 Gums that are dark red,

bright red, blue, or even
white usually indicate
various forms of shock
Badness…
Mucous Membranes
Additional tips..
 Gastrointestinal sounds
Additional tips..
 Temperature of the hoof
Don’t forget the eyes..
 Flash light to assess
pupillary size
What else do we check in foals?
… Let’s talk about it briefly
Foals
 Gestation 335 – 345 days
 The 1-2-3 Rule
1 hour: Walk
 2 hours: Stand up and nurse
 3 hours: Placenta out / Passing meconium?
 If things are not right SAVE placenta for your VET
 Good suckle reflex
 Mare is producing milk?
 Clean and keep an eye of umbilicus
 Dilute chlorhexidine 1:10
 2 – 3 times/day for 36h
Take Home Message
 Importance of a basic physical examination
 Power of observation
 Normal rectal temperature 99.5 – 101.5°F
 Normal pulse 24-36 beats per minute
 Normal respiration 8-12 breaths per minute
 Mucous membranes pink and moist

 Foals:
 1-2-3 Rule
Questions?