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Normal Pulse, Respiration and Temperature

Learn Your Horse's Pulse, Respiration and Temperature

By , About.com Guide

Position of stethoscope on horse.

Place the stethoscope on the body just behind the front elbow of the horse to listen for the pulse.

2005 K. Blocksdorf
Normal pulse range: 28 to 45 beats (count the double 'lub dub' as one full beat) per minute.

Normal respiration range: 8 to 20 breaths per minute

Normal temperature range for a horse: 98.5F to 101F (36.9C to 38.3C)

These are general normal ranges. Check your horse over several days, at different times of day to establish normal pulse, respiration and temperature for your individual horse. Keep in mind that the air temperature can influence your horse's body temperature. If it is very hot, a horse's internal temperature may increase slightly. Take its temperature at cooler parts of the day and average the readings. Also, if your horse is anticipating a treat, or suppertime you may see a slight increase in pulse and respiration. If your horse is very relaxed, you may get respiration readings as low as four breaths per minute.

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