How to Measure a Horse's Respiration Rate

By eHow Pets Editor

Rate: (15 Ratings)

Learn how to measure a horse's respiration rate so you can evaluate pain or respiratory disease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Watch the horse's chest or nostrils for movement.
Step2
Begin a practice count to get used to the rhythm of inhalations and exhalations, which should be slow and even.
Step3
Place your hand on your horse's rib cage to feel the inhalations or in front of her nostrils to feel the breath if you have trouble detecting visual signs of breathing.
Step4
Count the number of expirations you observe for 15 seconds.
Step5
Multiply that number by 4 to obtain the horse's respiration rate per minute.
Step6
Know that a normal rate is about 10 to 20 respirations per minute.

Tips & Warnings

  • If you have a stethoscope, place it on your horse's windpipe and measure her breathing that way.
  • Being in a hot or humid climate can increase a horse's respiration rate, as can fever, pain or exercise.
  • Contact your veterinarian right away if your horse's respiration rate exceeds her pulse rate. Rapid breathing in a resting state calls for immediate medical attention.

Comments

| View All Comments
Flag This Comment

on 11/12/2007 Great information! It's a great idea to take your horse's resting respiration before exercise, then again after thirty minutes of work, if you're preparing for competition.

Flag This Comment

on 11/12/2007 Great information! It's a great idea to take your horse's resting heartrate before exercise, then again after thirty minutes of work, if you're preparing for competition.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Measure a Horse's Respiration Rate

eHow Pets Editor

eHow Pets Editor

Category: Pets

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads