How to Determine if a Horse Is Sick
Become accustomed to your horse's moods and physical condition. The more you understand what's normal for your horse, the more you'll be able to detect what's abnormal.
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Things You'll Need
- Rectal Thermometers For Large Animals
- Stethoscopes
- Local Horse Magazines
- National Horse Magazines
- Horse Comb/brush Set
Instructions
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Give your horse a brief visual exam every time you see him.
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Learn how to take your horse's temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate (see Related eHows).
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Perform a physical exam (see Related eHow) if a horse that's usually bright, alert and responsive is acting dull, slow and depressed.
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Notice if the horse is exhibiting a decrease in appetite. Be especially concerned if your horse has stopped eating or drinking.
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Notice signs of pain or discomfort such as pawing, looking or biting at a flank, getting up and down frequently, favoring a leg and rolling. Be sure to distinguish between your horse's normal and abnormal rolling habits.
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Take your horse's temperature using a rectal thermometer. It's impossible to tell if a horse has a fever by visual inspection alone. A horse's normal temperature is between 99 and 101 degrees F.
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Call the vet immediately if you determine that your horse is not feeling well.
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Be cautious of non-veterinarian advice, regardless of how well-intended it may be.
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Tips & Warnings
When in doubt, call your veterinarian. It is better to be overly cautious.
Do not take a "wait and see" approach. A horse declines rapidly upon the onset of symptoms.
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Comments
View all 23 Comments-
maryladd
Sep 01, 2009
Really good article thanks for the information. maryladd -
thehorsecoach
Nov 12, 2007
It's great that you advise readers to call the vet at the first sign of a problem. Too many horse owners wait to call the vet until there is a serious illness or injury, at which time it is often too late.
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thehorsecoach
Nov 12, 2007
It's great that you advise readers to call the vet at the first sign of a problem. Too many horse owners wait to call the vet until there is a serious illness or injury, at which time it is often too late.
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Mar 29, 2006
Try mucking out toward the end of the day, so that their mess can gather and be collected. Also, this gives them a nice clean bed to lay in. Try doing this before they start eating so you can get under them when they're out having fun! You should empty the manure in a round pen or arena, this helps them not be as tempted to buck because their hooves sink in.
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Mar 29, 2006
Try mucking out toward the end of the day, so that their mess can gather and be collected. Also, this gives them a nice clean bed to lay in. Try doing this before they start eating so you can get under them when they're out having fun! You should empty the manure in a round pen or arena, this helps them not be as tempted to buck because their hooves sink in.
