Factors involved in a Vet Check

Factors involved in a Vet Check

Pulse: Taken with a stethoscope behind the front leg in the girth area, or inside the jaw. Counted for 15 seconds, then multiplied by four. A normal resting pulse is 28-48 beats per minute. Average ride criteria is 64(16) for EN and 60(15) for LD. ** place the most importance on how fast your horses pulse returns to a normal level.

Respiration: Taken by watching the flank or nostrils. Counted for 15 seconds then multiplied by four. Normal resting pulse is 10-15 breaths per minute. Inversion is a sign of overheating.

Temperature: Taken rectally. average temp is 99-101 degrees. Can easily be as high as 103 during work, but should drop rapidly to normal.

Mucus Membranes: Taken by looking at the gums and tongue. Gum color in a healthy horse is pale pink to pink. Gums should be wet and slimy and/or slick. Never dry or sticky.

Capillary Refill: Taken by pressing on the gums then counting the seconds it takes for the gums to return to normal color. Average time is < 2 seconds.

Jugular Refill: Taken blocking the vein off with the thumb and gauging the speed and strength of the fill. A sluggish fill can indicate either dehydration or a drop in blood pressure.

Skin Tenting: Taken by pinching the skin on point of the shoulder, then counting the seconds it takes for the skin to lay flat on the horses neck. It should snap back quickly.

Gut Sounds: Taken by listening to the horses abdomen using a stethoscope. Horse should have active gut sounds on both sides, to indicate food moving through the digestive tract. It will help to allow the horse to graze lightly throughout the ride, and eat hay or graze during the breaks.

Anal Tone: Should be firm and reactive(pucker) to touch. Horses can vary a great deal as to what is normal, so particular attention should be paid during the pre-ride exam.

Muscle Tone: Large muscles of the back & rear end. Should be firm without unusual tightness.

Back/Withers: Checks for sores and soreness in the muscles of the back. Pressure should be firm and consistent, without tickling or poking.

Tack Galls: Checks for bit, boot, breastcollar rubs, interference marks and saddle sores.

Gait: Taken by watching the horse trot on a loose lead. Horse should move freely, without lameness.

Impulsion: During the trot, Vet looks for horses engagement, energy level, attitude and forward movement.

Cardiac Recovery Index: Take a baseline pulse. Start timer as the horse trots off. Horse must trot 250 feet, usually out 125 feet and back, and stop at the end of that distance. At the end of one minute, take a second pulse. It should be at or below the previous pulse rate. As little as four beats up can be cause for concern, but should always be taken in context with the above factors. For example, don't worry if horse goes from 32 to 40 bpm just because he woke up, but at the higher ranges 4 beats up is a caution and 8 beats up is a real concern, at this point the horse is probably showing other signs of fatigue such as dehydration, lack of impulsion and low or no gut sounds.