laminitus- how to check for digital pulse?

Should be interesting for me too, vet showed me , farrier showed me but still cant find it on my own.. good diagonostic tool every horse owner should know but not easy.
 
I always feel on the inside of the pastern, but its hit and miss if I find a pulse! I always assume that if the pulse was racing I would feel it though? It'd be great to have a definitive guide!
 
Oh hard one to explain, I check my ponies all the time and any lame horses to see if it's poision foot. Strong pulse means it's in the foot normally. It is handy to know what your horses is normally like so you can sence if something is wrong.
On the pastern about half way down from fetlock slightly towards the bad is where I get mine ( hard to explain) firm hold and you should feel it but don't use your thumb. Keep pressing around that area and you should find it.
 
I was shown two ways. One vet ran his thumb and forefinger down the groove between the cannon bone and the tendons at the back of the leg (using right hand for near hind). As you reach the bones of the fetlock, keep going until about half way down the fetlock, then slide both thumb and finger forward as far as they will go so you are half encircling the back of the fetlock. Press with the finger but not the thumb otherwise you will take your own pulse!

My other vet just uses all four fingers, and sort of wraps her hand around the back of the fetlock and makes a 'cuff' round the joint. She can feel the pulse through her fingers (she keeps her thumb completely upright so it's out of the way). I think this way is easier but the first way is easier to feel if it's not particularly strong. If a horse has just been exercised you can feel a digital pulse, so you can practice after a horse has been cantered while the heart is still pumping more strongly.

I could take a photo if that doesn't make sense?
 
You should not be able to feel a digital pulse at all, if the horse is standing in the stable relaxed.

A digital pulse can only be felt if there is an increased blood supply to the hoof, which is an indication of something wrong, of which laminitis is only one cause. Others could be pus in foot or some sort of infection, bruising, etc. It is ok to have a slight digital pulse if the horse has just come in from the field or ridden, but not otherwise.

If you can feel a really strong, thumping pulse, then you have a problem! If the pulse is both strong and fast, then that indicates the horse is in considerable pain as the heart rate is up. Normal resting heart rates for horses varies according to size and breed, but should be between 38 - 45.
 
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