A Guide to a Healthy Horse

The appearance of a healthy horse is unmistakable, the state of health is apparent through its condition, temperature, pulse and respiration:

• Eyes should be bright and the horse alert.
• The coat should be bright and skin should be supple and easily "pinched".
• Limbs should be cool and free from swelling.
• Droppings should be regular and well formed.
• Urine should be near colourless.
• The body should be well covered, neither too fat nor too thin.
• The body temperature should be between 100-101.5°F (37.8-38.5°C).
• A normal pulse rate is between 35-41 beats per minute.
• Respiration is normally 8-14 breaths per minute when the horse is at rest.