How many of you..

Fairynuff

Fairynuff

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know the normal vital signs of the horse eg. temp, respiration, pulse, capillary refill time, signs of dehydration etc. Im asking as I went for a drink with some horse owners and the subject came up. These people own horses that have cost a small fortune and compete almost every weekend, they also believe that they are "horsemen"! Not one of them could tell me any of the above .
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Mairi. PS, these are also the people who buy a "comfy" saddle (for their bums) and use it on every horse they own or will own.
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Yes. Had it pumped into us at college and having a poorly yearling (he's better now) for a few months and checking all of this every day.
 
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Havn't got a clue??

I also call myself a mother and probably couldn't answer all those questions regarding a child either
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Ditto!!
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know the normal vital signs of the horse eg. temp, respiration, pulse, capillary refill time, signs of dehydration etc.

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38 degrees
8/6 - 12 breaths per minute
36 - 42 bpm
christ knows
no skin elasticity

Am I right?
 
The first couple of things on your list do vary from horse to horse but yes I know the general ballpark of most of my horses.

As for the other two, yes I know.

To be honest Mairi, a lot of horse owners probably feel they don't need to know as they have vets quite close by. I need to know as my vet is not close by so when I make a telephone call to him, I generally have checked these things before calling him.

And SK - capillary refill should be less than 2 seconds, closer to 1.
 
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know the normal vital signs of the horse eg. temp, respiration, pulse, capillary refill time, signs of dehydration etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

38 degrees
8/6 - 12 breaths per minute
36 - 42 bpm
christ knows
no skin elasticity

Am I right?

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Yes, yes, yes, Should be straight way/ up to 3 secs no more, yes also capillary refill is slow/ distressed, quiet, lethargic etc
 
Yes, I know what is normal for Jazz', at rest. To be on the safe side I've also stuck this list on her first aid kit .
 
We are both in the same boat regarding vets, but.. wouldnt it be better if horse owners knew the basics regarding their horse? Im not saying that we should be trying to take over from our vet but to know the normal values and how to check them, is surely in the interest of the horse and could save time for the vet and money for the owner. Maybe its just me, I like to know why and where in what I do .Im not running anyone down for not knowing, Im just curious. M.
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Can I just add that all horses are different and an owner should really know what their own horse is like so they know when a change has occured.
 
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