Digital Pulses....numpty question alert!!

[Bertolie]

Following on from the "Oh no laminitis" thread.

Ok, so I know that you should check for digital pulses but can someone explain to me how and where to do this please?

I am a novice owner and have never had to do this. I keep meaning to ask my vet to show me when he is out but keep forgetting! Nobody else on the yard has a clue either tbh. A few months ago my horse was led down in the paddock and was extremely reluctant to get up, though he did eventually. Other liveries suggested I check for digital pulses but when I fessed up and admitted I didn't know how neither did they!

I would just like to say that at the first sign of anything wrong with the horse, I ring the vet, but if someone could (nicely) explain how to do this I would appreciate it

 

[TwoStroke]

I check for pulses at the yellow dot on the photo below, and just above the red spot.

 

[Batgirl]

There is a vet section in Horse and Rider mag that has a pull out section in it this month with vet basics like this explained, I have pulled it out and put it in my 1st aid box at the yard.

 

[Bertolie]

Thank you both very much

I thought long and hard before posting this as I quite expected some 'comments' about novice owners (though still time I suppose )

I will have a look at the Horse and Rider magazine when it hits the shops.

 

[Dab]

I check for pulses at the yellow dot on the photo below, and just above the red spot.

great picture.

OP you many find this site really useful... http://www.ironfreehoof.com/equine-digital-pulses.html

also remember not to use your thumb to find a pulse, also try finding it on yourself first so you can judge how much pressure is needed to locate it in your horse.

 

[Bertolie]

great picture.

OP you many find this site really useful... http://www.ironfreehoof.com/equine-digital-pulses.html

also remember not to use your thumb to find a pulse, also try finding it on yourself first so you can judge how much pressure is needed to locate it in your horse.

Thank you for the link - its exactly what I was looking for

 

[Holtons Hollywood]

Fab picture! Very useful!
I'd also like to add that the presence of a digital pulse is not always a negative thing - take time to get to know your horse and what's natural for him/her. My mare has mild digital pulses all year round, no matter what, and she is a slim, fit, sound, barefoot pony. My farrier always checks her pulses and they have never been absent. So don't immediately despair if you do find them!

 

[touchstone]

Well you should be able to feel a slight pulse, otherwise the horse may well be expired. although some are more difficult to find. A strong bounding pulse is one that spells trouble usually, but some horses as mentioned will also have raised pulses after exercise or in hot weather, so worth bearing in mind too.

 

[camilla4]

Thank you both very much

I thought long and hard before posting this as I quite expected some 'comments' about novice owners (though still time I suppose )

I will have a look at the Horse and Rider magazine when it hits the shops.

NEVER be afraid to ask, Bertolli - the people who cause frustration are those who carry on in ignorance, not those who ask the questions! None of us knows everything and the joy of these places is that there is so much help freely available

 

[Equi]

A great picture yes, but is the horse alive?!