Tuesday 14 June 2011

Horses Breathing Rate, Heart Rate & Body Temperature

Horses Normal Parameters

Knowing the normal values for things such as breathing rate and heart rate in your horse can be very useful in identifying stress or disease early. Any changes form these normal values indicate a problem. Below is a list of the relevant factors and their normal values.

Horses Heart Rate
At rest = 28-48 beats per minute
At exercise = up to 200 beats per minute

The heart rate is measured with a stethoscope or by feeling the pulse in the lower leg or jaw and a stopwatch. If at rest the heart or pulse rate is raised this may be a sign that the horse is in pain or stressed.

Horses Breathing (respiratory) Rate
At rest = 10-14 breaths minute

Breathing rate can be measured with a stethoscope or watching the sideways expansion of the chest. The rate can often be raised when the horse is stressed or sick.

Horses Body (rectal) temperature
Normal Temperature = 99.5-101.3°F or 37.5-38.5° C

The temperature is taken by inserting the thermometer into the anus of the horse and holding against the side of the rectum. Low readings may be taken if the thermometer is inserted into a piece of faeces by accident. It is important to seek advice from your veterinary surgeon if you are inexperienced at this.


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