Recognizing a Healthy Horse (2024)

When horses are not feeling well, they will often display physiological and behavioral signs indicating illness. These signs are deviations from the horse's normal state, and in certain situations a veterinarian may need to be contacted to determine what is wrong. A horse's normal state, or their typical behavior and physiological measurements when they are healthy, can be assessed by looking at vital signs, appetite, attitude, weight and body condition, posture, thirst, and defecation. Subtle changes in these observations can clue owners in that their horse is unwell and that a veterinary professional should be contacted. Assessment of a horse's normal state should be included in routine management and conducted regularly rather than just when illness is suspected.

Vital Signs

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

Temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR) are three critical vital signs evaluated when assessing a horse's health. These signs indicate the horse's internal body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate, respectively. Just like with people, when horses are sick, they may have abnormal values for these three measurements. It is important to know what the normal TPR measurements are for your horse so you can better detect changes. Incorporating a TPR assessment into your normal management routine can be very helpful, as it allows you to become comfortable with evaluating vital signs, allows your horse to grow accustomed to having them assessed, and provides a baseline for that horse's typical values.

TPR Averages

Average TPRs have been calculated for both adult horses and foals; however, some differences can occur from horse to horse. Variations are mostly due to differences in age, sex, and genetics. Your horse's TPR should be checked periodically so the horse's individual average is known for comparison when illness is suspected. In the table below (Table 1), the average TPR measurements for adult horses and foals are listed. These numbers are for horses at rest. Horses that are excited, have just been exercised, or may be sick or lame typically have higher values.

Note. Values from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Mucous Membranes and Capillary Refill

Mucous membranes and tissue blood flow are also evaluated when assessing a horse's overall health. Mucous membranes are tissues that line a part of the body and secrete mucus, such as the oral and nasal cavities. The texture, color, and wetness of mucous membranes are often evaluated when determining hydration levels and, for horses, this is most often done by looking at the gums. When healthy and hydrated, a horse's gums will be shiny, wet, and pink (Figure 1). If the horse is dehydrated, the gums will be dry, pale, and/or tacky instead. You should consult your veterinarian if your horse's gums show signs of dehydration.

Capillary refill, or how quickly the blood flow returns to the tissue, is also assessed when looking at the gums. In a healthy horse, when the gums are pressed and then released, color will return to normal within two seconds. If it takes longer than three seconds for the color to return to normal, there could be a problem, and you should contact a veterinarian.

For more information on how you can assess your horse's vital signs, see our article on Taking Your Horse's Vital Signs.

Behavior and Body Language

Body Posture and Behavior

evenly distributed. When resting, they may change this stance, having one foot propped up on the toe for relaxation. Any changes to these typical body postures may be a sign of discomfort or illness. For example, if a horse is continuously shifting its weight back and forth between limbs, it may be experiencing pain in a limb or in some other part of the body.

Some common postures and behaviors seen when a horse is uncomfortable include:

• Standing "stretched out" on their limbs instead of square (front legs far forward and rear legs far behind)
• Leaning back on their hind limbs (looking like they are sitting back)
• Continuously shifting weight back and forth from one limb to another
• Refusing to bear weight on a limb
• Not wanting to stand up when lying down
• Continuously pawing or stomping
• Repeatedly laying down and getting back up
• Biting and/or kicking at their stomach
• Rolling without shaking
• Lacking body coordination
• Pacing or continually walking in circles

If your horse seems restless, uncomfortable, or in pain, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Some environmental issues may be contributing to these behaviors as well, such as bothersome flies, isolation, etc., so keep environmental factors in mind when making assessments.

Attitude and Social Interactions

In general, horses are alert and aware of their environment and what is in it. They are curious by nature and pay attention to what is around them to ensure safety. This is because they are prey animals and have evolved to be aware of potential threats from predators. Healthy horses' eyes are clear and bright, and their ears regularly move to hear what is happening around them. Depressed, seemingly drowsy, or unaware horses may not be feeling well. Their eyes may be dull, cloudy, or dreary, and their ears might not move much or perk upright. They may flop to either side ("airplane ears"). Any puffiness or drainage around a horse's eye is not normal and could be a sign that the eye has been irritated. Similarly, drainage from the nostrils is abnormal. Horses with runny noses and/or a cough may have a respiratory issue and your veterinarian should be contacted.

Horses are social animals and enjoy being with others in the herd (Figure 2). They are most comfortable when other horses are around and within eyesight. Sometimes they will find a buddy or friend that they prefer to hang around more than the others, but generally they still like to remain where the larger group is easily seen. Any isolation behavior is abnormal.

Eating and Drinking Behaviors

Appetite

Horses are grazers and prefer small, continuous meals. Most horses, when given access to pasture or hay, will graze 12–15 hours per day. However, environmental factors, limited turnout, forage quality, and the horse's overall preferences can impact this consumption rate. Changes to appetite are often one of the first indicators when a horse is feeling under the weather. Sick horses might leave their hay or grain before finishing, eat slower, "pick" through their hay or grain, or stop eating altogether.

Recognizing deviations from their typical eating behaviors is imperative. Some horses are slow eaters or have flavor/texture preferences and that may be their normal eating habit. Going off feed can point to illness, but it may also be a sign of something else being amiss. Other factors that may change eating habits include bad or moldy grain or hay, dislike for a product, or stress. Be aware of any changes to appetite and make note of how much food they are leaving behind and recent changes to feed or routine.

Thirst

Adult horses typically drink 5–10 gallons of water a day. This range can increase due to variables such as exercise, nutrition, physiological state (i.e., pregnancy), and environmental factors, such as temperature. It is important to monitor water intake and note if any changes occur. If you are watering your horse from a refillable bucket, try to pay attention to the water level and if it has changed before you begin refilling. Electrolytes may need to be given to dehydrated horses or those not wanting to drink. Horses that are severely dehydrated may also need intravenous (IV) fluids. Always make sure your horse has access to clean, fresh water.

Excretions

Horses will defecate on average 8–10 times per day. In general, their manure consists of moist, distinct fecal balls that create a pile. Extremely dry or loose feces (including diarrhea), or lack of feces is cause for concern and your veterinarian should be contacted. Some loose manure may be caused by nervousness, changes in feeding routine, or heat cycles (in mares), while other times it may be due to disease. It is best to always keep an eye on any changes to fecal ball consistency or defecation rate and talk with your veterinarian if there is a concern.

Horses urinate about 7–10 times per day. Their urine should be a yellowish, tan color and is generally clear or slightly cloudy. Any color changes, such as brown or red tints, could indicate internal illness or strain on an organ system, so contact a veterinarian immediately if this should occur. If your horse keeps stretching out to urinate but does not, this could also be a sign of discomfort and you should consult a veterinarian.

Weight and Body Condition

Measuring your horse’s body weight (BW) and evaluating their body condition score (BCS) is important to incorporate in your equine health care and management. Knowing your horse's BW and BCS helps guide nutrition decisions and can help you determine treatment dosages for dewormers and other medications. Sick horses may slowly or dramatically lose weight or body condition. For some illnesses, this may be your first or only clue that something is wrong. For example, weight loss is one of the key signs seen when a horse is experiencing internal parasite infestation.

Measuring Body Weight

Multiple tools are available to measure your horse's body weight. The most accurate tool is a large livestock scale designed for horses and other livestock on which to stand. Scales are often found at equine veterinary clinics and training facilities, but few horse owners have these on personal farms due to the cost, upkeep, and space requirements.

A more common and popular tool is a weight tape. Weight tapes are designed to wrap around the horse's heart girth and give an estimated BW based on the circumference. These tapes are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. They are not extremely accurate, as they only take one measurement into account, but they do provide a general idea of the horse's BW and are a viable option for monitoring trends in weight over time. A more precise method to measure body weight is by using a household measuring tape or a string. The string is used to wrap around the horse's heart girth and then the amount of string used is laid beside the measuring tape to determine the inches. The string is then used in the same manner to measure the horse's body length, from the point of the shoulder to the end of the rump. You could also simply use the measuring tape (Figures 3, 4).

These measurements of the horse's heart girth and body length are then plugged into the following formula for weight estimation:

While more accurate than a weight tape, research has found that this formula can be modified to account for breed variations and include other measurements to make it even closer to actual weight. To do this, breed must be identified and height and neck circumference should be evaluated (the string and tape measure method work when gathering these measurements). A smartphone application calledHealthy Horse was created by the University of Minnesota and the University of Kentucky to make determining body weight with these measurements simple. The app allows you to personally select your horse's breed and measurements, giving you both the actual and ideal weight of that horse. A healthy horse will be close to the ideal weight provided.

Evaluating BCS

Healthy horses should have a BCS between four and six. Each number score is given based on the horse's overall fitness, determined by fat deposition on its body. The Henneke system is used to determine BCS, giving the horse a number between one and nine (Table 2). The greater the fat deposition, the higher the score.

Note: Table adapted from Henneke et al., 1983.

Key areas to assess BCS include the crest of the neck, the withers, behind the elbow, along the spine, the ribs/barrel, and the tailhead (Figure 5). To evaluate BCS most accurately, you need to both visually assess the horse and physically touch its body (Figure 6A, 6B, 6C). Since we see our horses regularly, subtle or gradual changes in BW and BCS can be easily missed, so it is suggested these be evaluated and recorded at least monthly. It's also a good idea to take pictures of your horse monthly for comparison.

Conclusion

Recognizing when your horse is healthy and acting normally can help you detect deviations quickly. Being aware of your horse's normal vital signs, posture, appetite, attitude, and other habits can truly help you respond quickly when your horse becomes sick. It takes effort and time to be conscious and aware of your horse's normal state, but it can be extremely helpful when trying to communicate signs and symptoms of illness to your veterinarian. If you board your horse, talk with those who might be caring for the horse to see how observation is incorporated into their management style.

Again, it is important to recognize abnormal behaviors. Horses have unique personalities, and some may be slow eaters or only hang out with a couple of horses rather than with the entire herd regularly. This may not be abnormal for that individual. Therefore, it is important to know your individual horse and its normal state so when something is not quite right, you can detect it quickly. Being aware and consistent in evaluating your horse is key to identifying illness swiftly and being able to seek help when needed.

Resources

American Association of Equine Practitioners

American Youth Horse Council-Horse Industry Handbook

Horse Pasture Management – Paul Sharpe

Merck Veterinary Manuals

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

University of Minnesota Extension