How to Listen to a Horse's Gut Sounds

This procedure evaluates the condition of the large intestine (colon) but not the small intestine or stomach.

Things You'll Need

• Stethoscopes
• Women's Watches
• Local Horse Magazines
• National Horse Magazines

Instructions

1. Practice listening to gut sounds (abdominal auscultation) when your horse is healthy to determine and get used to what sounds normal for your horse.

2. Place a stethoscope on the upper right quadrant of the abdomen (flank).

3. Listen 3 to 5 minutes for a complete cycle of sounds.

4. Repeat for each of the lower right, upper left and lower left quadrants.

5. Listen for a decrease or increase in frequency and intensity of gut sounds; this may indicate a problem.

6. Call your veterinarian if changes in gut sounds accompany other signs of a physical ailment, such as distress, pain, diarrhea, fever or loss of appetite.