Pulse: 24-40 beats per minute at rest (varies with exercise, pain, illness, etc)
Respiration: 12-24 breaths per minute (at rest, also varies)
Capillary Refill Time (CRT): Less than 2 seconds
To perform this test, press on gums with your finger. Color should return in less than 2 seconds. Mucous membranes should be pink in
color.
Gut Sounds should be heard on a regular basis (you can listen to your horse’s gut sounds by putting your ear or a stethoscope on his abdomen)
Contact ABJ Equine if your horse exhibits any of the following:
Temperature greater than 102ºF
Diminshed gut sounds
Increased heart rate
Abnormal swelling
Colic Pain (pawing, kicking or biting abdomen, rolling, repeatedly lying down and getting up, lip curling, sitting like a dog, generally violent behavior)
Depression
Lack of Appetite
Putting head down as if to drink but NOT drinking
Recumbancy (horse cannot get up )
First Aid Kit
You can purchase a ready-made emergency kit or you can assemble one yourself.
Your kit should contain the following:
Stethoscope
Rectal thermometer
Flashlight (with spare batteries)
Watch with a second hand
Scissors (bandage and small sharp)
Hemostats
Latex gloves
Vetwrap (2 rolls)
Elastikon
Roll Gauze/Gauze Kling Wrap
Permanent Marker
Sheet Cotton
Adhesive Tape
Leg Wraps
Surgical scrub (Chlorohexadine or Betadine scrub)
Antiseptic Solution (Chlorohexadine or Betadine solution)
