Knowing your horse's normal vital signs is one of the most important skills you can develop as a horse owner. These baseline measurements allow you to quickly identify when something is wrong and determine whether you need to call your vet. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to check and interpret your horse's vital signs.
Why Vital Signs Matter
Your horse can't tell you when they're feeling unwell, so monitoring vital signs is your primary tool for detecting illness or injury early. Catching problems early can mean the difference between a minor issue and a serious health crisis. Regular monitoring also helps you establish what's normal for your individual horse, as some variation exists between horses.
The Four Essential Vital Signs
There are four key vital signs every horse owner should know how to check: temperature, pulse (heart rate), respiration (breathing rate), and gut sounds. Together, these give you a comprehensive picture of your horse's health status.
1. Temperature
Normal range: 37.2°C to 38.3°C (99°F to 101°F)
How to check:
- Use a digital thermometer designed for horses or livestock
- Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly or water-based lubricant
- Stand to the side of your horse, never directly behind
- Lift the tail and gently insert the thermometer into the rectum
- Angle it slightly to ensure contact with the rectal wall
- Wait for the beep (usually 30-60 seconds)
- Remove, read, clean, and disinfect
What abnormal readings mean:
- Above 38.9°C (102°F): Fever, indicating infection, inflammation, or heat stress
- Below 37°C (98.6°F): Hypothermia or shock—call your vet immediately
Important notes: Temperature can be slightly elevated after exercise or on hot days. Always check when your horse is at rest for an accurate baseline.
2. Pulse (Heart Rate)
Normal range: 28-44 beats per minute at rest
How to check:
- Method 1 - Stethoscope: Place a stethoscope just behind the left elbow, listen for the heartbeat, and count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4
- Method 2 - Facial artery: Find the facial artery under the jaw, press gently with your fingers, count beats for 15 seconds, multiply by 4
- Method 3 - Digital pulse: Feel the digital artery on the side of the fetlock (useful for detecting laminitis)
What abnormal readings mean:
- Above 60 bpm at rest: Pain, stress, fever, or cardiovascular issues
- Below 25 bpm: Rare, but could indicate heart problems—consult your vet
- Irregular rhythm: Arrhythmia—needs veterinary evaluation
Important notes: Heart rate increases with exercise, excitement, or stress. Always check when your horse is calm and rested.
3. Respiration (Breathing Rate)
Normal range: 8-16 breaths per minute at rest
How to check:
- Watch your horse's flank (side of the ribcage) rise and fall
- One complete breath = one rise and one fall
- Count breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
- Alternatively, hold your hand near the nostrils to feel breath
What abnormal readings mean:
- Above 20 breaths per minute: Respiratory infection, pain, fever, or heat stress
- Laboured breathing: Difficulty breathing, flared nostrils, or abdominal effort indicates respiratory distress
- Coughing or nasal discharge: Respiratory infection or allergy
Important notes: Breathing rate increases after exercise and in hot weather. Check when your horse is standing quietly.
4. Gut Sounds
Normal: Regular gurgling and rumbling sounds in all four quadrants of the abdomen
How to check:
- Use a stethoscope or place your ear against your horse's flank
- Listen to all four quadrants (both sides, high and low)
- You should hear gurgling, rumbling, and tinkling sounds
- Listen for at least 30 seconds in each area
What abnormal findings mean:
- No gut sounds (silence): Potential colic or gut shutdown—call your vet immediately
- Excessive, loud sounds: Can indicate gas colic or hypermotility
- Reduced sounds: Sluggish gut, early colic, or impaction
Important notes: Gut sounds should be present and regular. Absence of gut sounds is a veterinary emergency.
Additional Health Indicators
Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
Normal: 1-2 seconds
How to check:
- Lift your horse's upper lip
- Press firmly on the gum above the teeth for 2 seconds
- Release and count how long it takes for the white spot to return to pink
What it means: CRT indicates circulation and hydration. Longer than 2 seconds suggests dehydration or shock.
Mucous Membrane Colour
Normal: Salmon pink and moist
How to check: Lift the upper lip and examine the gum colour
Abnormal colours:
- Pale or white: Anaemia, shock, or severe blood loss
- Bright red: Sepsis, toxicity, or heat stroke
- Blue or purple: Lack of oxygen—emergency
- Yellow: Liver disease or red blood cell destruction
Hydration Status
Skin pinch test:
- Pinch the skin on your horse's neck or shoulder
- Release and observe how quickly it returns to normal
- Normal: Skin snaps back immediately
- Dehydrated: Skin stays tented for 2+ seconds
When to Call the Vet
Contact your vet immediately if you observe:
- Temperature above 39.4°C (103°F) or below 37°C (98.6°F)
- Heart rate above 60 bpm at rest or irregular rhythm
- Respiration above 20 breaths per minute at rest or laboured breathing
- Absent gut sounds
- Capillary refill time longer than 3 seconds
- Abnormal gum colour (pale, red, blue, or yellow)
- Signs of colic (pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, not eating)
- Severe lameness or inability to bear weight
- Profuse sweating without exercise
- Discharge from eyes or nose
- Any sudden behaviour change
Creating Your Horse's Health Baseline
Every horse is slightly different, so establish your horse's normal baseline:
- Check vital signs when your horse is healthy and at rest
- Record measurements at the same time of day for consistency
- Check multiple times over several days to establish a pattern
- Note your horse's normal temperature, pulse, and respiration
- Keep a written record in your stable or on your phone
- Share this information with your vet
Essential Equipment
Keep these items in your first aid kit:
- Digital thermometer (with string attached so it doesn't get lost)
- Stethoscope
- Watch or timer
- Notebook and pen for recording
- Lubricant for thermometer
- Disinfectant for cleaning equipment
Practice Makes Perfect
Don't wait for an emergency to learn these skills. Practice checking vital signs regularly when your horse is healthy so you're confident and efficient when it matters. Most horses tolerate these checks well once they're accustomed to the routine.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and monitoring your horse's vital signs is a fundamental part of responsible horse ownership. By knowing what's normal for your horse, you'll be able to detect problems early, communicate effectively with your vet, and potentially save your horse's life. Make vital sign checks part of your regular routine, and you'll develop an invaluable skill that serves you throughout your horse's life.
For more horse health and care advice, explore our Stable & Sound blog and discover quality equestrian supplies.
