PREVENTION: ORDINARY CHECK UP

BREATH CHECKING: First of all, we check the respiratory rate.  We can do it simply by observing or "listening" to our friend's chest, even better with a stethoscope to be placed in the trachea. In good physical conditions, we must count no less than eight and no more than fifteen breaths per minute: less in cold season and more in hot season. If the breath is too fast or too slow, we should call the vet.

TEMPERATURE CHECKING: Let's get a rectal horse thermometer, with a loop tied to one end for recovery in case of ... "embedding". With that we can mischief the temperature, which in good physical conditions should be between 37.5 and 38.5 degrees Celsius. If it exceeds 38.8, we should call the vet.

MUCOUS MEMBRANE CHECKING: Take a look to the mucous membranes, which tell us about a good blood circulation. Look at the inside of the nostrils, the conjunctiva and the gums. All these areas must be rosé and wet. If they look too pale, call your veterinarian: it may be anaemia. If they are red in color, it might be a case of an intoxication. If bluish or gray, call the vet as soon as possible: it is a severe shock or illness.

HYDRATION LEVEL: Check if it is dehydrated, pinching and lifting the skin on the shoulder and observing how quickly it returns to its place. If it takes more than two or three seconds the horse is a bit dehydrated and at risk of colic and other problems; If it takes from six to ten seconds or more, dehydration is severe and the risk is very high.

HEART RATE CHECKING: From 30 to 40 per minute is the normal frequency of heart pulses in the adult horse. In very young foals is higher.

You can listen to the beat of the horse by placing a stethoscope on his chest or pressing with the fingers at the level of the nodule, where the retrostral retention is located, or compressing the index on the bone part of the jaw (this method is more difficult because with too much Pressure the risk is to listen to your own beating).

SOUND CHECKING: Let's sit on the horse's side and listen to the sounds that come from his intestine. If we hear more or less like the gurgles of our belly, it's all right. If the sound is different or too strong, or otherwise absent, there may be a problem (silences may be imminent colic symptoms).

CAPILLARY CHECKING: We raise the top lip of our friend and we put a finger on the gums for about two seconds, long enough for a whitish spot to appear. Then we spread our finger and see how much it takes the area to return to the original color: if it takes more than two seconds the horse might have a problem. Once again, as the protagonists of a well-known sport, say, veterinarian!

Credits: I nostri amici cavalli magazine