Learning Center
Horse Health and First Aid
TEMPERATURE: 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit. To take the horses temperature, grease the bulb end of the thermometer with a fair amount of Vaseline, stand to one side of the hindquarters, hold tail up, using a rotating movement, insert thermometer into the rectum. Keep a good hold on the thermometer, but it is also a good idea to tie a string on the holding end to prevent the thermometer from going all the way into the rectum. Remove after one minute, wipe clean and read.

PULSE: High 20's to low 40's beats per minute. (generally pulse is around 35-42 beats per minute for a resting horse.
To take the pulse, find the artery on the lower jaw or the artery inside the foreleg in front of the elbow. Gently press the artery and count the number of pulse beats in 30 seconds, and then double this for your reading.

RESPIRATION: 8 to 20 breaths per minute. Count the inhalation and exhalation movement as one.

CAPILLARY TEST: Press the gum with your thumb, which temporarily restricts the blood flow. When you remove your thumb, the blood should immediately flow back in the capillaries. Normal capillary refill time is 1 to 3 seconds.

It is important to know your horse's health. Take a temperature, pulse and respiration reading when your horse is resting and healthy. It is a good idea to write this down next to your vet's phone number. This way you will know at a glance if your horse is ill and will be able to relay to your vet his normal readings as compared to his readings when ill.

WORMING: Horse's should be wormed about every 8 weeks. Foals should begin their worming at 6 weeks of age.

BASIC FIRST AID KIT:
First aid manual
Liniment
Antiseptic ointment
Cold pack
Hydrogen peroxide
Thermometer
3M vetrap
Syringe
Vinyl Gloves
 Alcohol Pads
Gauze pads
Towels
Iodine pads
Saline solution
Scissors
Surgical scrub brush
Tourniquet (preferably latex)
Keep a first aid kit in your trailer and in your barn.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO POST BY YOUR PHONE:
Veterinarian
Backup veterinarian
Farrier
Feed supplier
Handyman
Plumber
Friend or neighbor that is familiar with your herd

Also post your address and the quickest route to your house. Whoever calls emergency personnel needs to give them directions to your house. It is also a good idea to map out your land. Not all accidents happen in or around the barn, some may happen in the backfield or in the woods on a trail. Mapping out your land will give emergency personnel a way to navigate their way.


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