Horse&Rider Magazine: Taking a jawline pulse

Your horse's pulse should be between 36-42 beats per minute. The pulse is most often felt on the jawline.

Here, veterinarian Jo Dudney of the Liphook Equine Hospital, shows you how to check your horses jawline pulse.

How to check

• Standing on your horses near side, use two fingers to feel along the bottom edge of the cheek

•You'll find a bundle of vessels (they feel like half cooked spaghetti!) about half way along the jaw line.

•Gently apply pressure here until you feel the pulse - if you cant feel the pulse right away, try applying pressure and gently releasing the pressure until you feel the pulse.

•Once you feel the pulse, count the number of pulses in a minute, or the number in 30 seconds and multiply by two.

Before taking into consideration vital signs like temperature, pulse and respiration, take a moment to stand outside your horses box and just observe his demeanor.

Is he alert and interested in his surroundings? Is there any food outside his stable suggesting that he is dropping his feed and needs his teeth checked? Is there any evidence of discharge outside his door (for example, from his nose?). Then as you approach the horse, continue to assess his demeanor, taking into account his body and coat condition.

If you have any questions about your horses health, always seek professional advice immediately so an accurate diagnosis can be made.

Category:

Pets & Animals

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• horse and rider
• horse and rider magazine
• veterinary attention
• equine health care
• find your horse's pulse
• your horse
• horse care
• temperature
• pulse and respiration
• first aid
• stable management