Horse health checks are a daily routine for horse owners. To ensure your horse receives ultimate care there are a number of things to consider.
These are often quick observations but vital for the comfort and happiness of your horse. It is also important when doing your daily horse health checks to observe if anything is abnormal then to act swiftly with a solution.
To ensure ultimate care for your horse, consider the following:
Demeanour – your horse should be bright and alert with ears pricked, apart from of course sleeping or in a state of pure relaxation! this is important information that tells you straight away how your horse is feeling. If the head is hung low and your horse is not alert this should start to ring alarm bells as to why. Often a horse that is unwell will stand in one area for a period of time or not move far. This can implicate your horse’s health and may also cause other complications such as not been able to reach food or water which can cascade to a potential dehydration or colic.
Mobility – your horse should walk out with even swinging strides. Check for injury, swelling and that the hooves are not sore or contain stones or sharp objects. Feel the hooves for heat and also check the digital pulse by placing two fingers just below the fetlock joint to feel the digital artery. If it is pounding it can indicate hoof inflammation which may result from laminitis or an underlying abscess. It is a good habit to check daily, regardless of being lame.
Breathing and respiratory – take special note that breathing is normal. If your horse is breathing rapidly this indicates pain or distress. Your horse should breathe roughly 2-4 times in 15 seconds. Look at the nostrils or flank to count. The nostrils should never be flaring at rest. Fast breathing is matched with a high heart rate, so faster than normal breathing indicates something is not right.
Ensure your horse is eating and drinking – be sure to look at your horses’ stomach and flank area taking special note if it is sunken or bloated? listen for gut sounds and be aware that excessive gut sounds and rumbling isn’t normal. Look for evidence of manure, and observe the texture whether runny, firm, or absent? horses like us can suffer digestive upsets which can become serious turning to colic. By doing some quick gut checks you can quickly help your horse or pass on this vital information to your vet.
Ensure adequate fibre and clean, fresh water – be sure to provide extra fibre in the form of hay or haylage depending on quality of grass. Daily water checks are also important to ensure your horse happily drinks to stay hydrated. Horses are quite fussy with water, so be sure its fresh and clean daily.
Ensure safe paddocks – horses can get up to mischief when we are not around. Ensure everything is how it should be! and that there are no new hazards. Equally, that covers are fitting and all attachments are secure.
Daily checks ensure your horse is comfortable, happy and healthy!