the artery. Average heart rate can be as low as 28 in a fit horse up to 48 in a more spirited horse. Get an idea of the color of your horse's mucus membranes by rolling down the lower eyelid and by lifting up the upper lip and observing gum color. Horses do have pigmented membranes so don't think a black color is a problem. It may be totally normal for your horse. When you press on the gums the white spot should return in about 1 second. This is noted as capillary refill and a sign of hydration. Pale gums could be from anemia or blood loss, while bluish tinged may indicate lack of oxygen and purple dark gums maybe toxins or severe dehydration.
What else do you look for in normal for your horse? As discussed in a previous article, your horses' eyelashes should be parallel to the ground and not pointing downward. Downward lashes indicate pain was well as squinting and excessive tearing.
Run your hands down all legs and note any scars and heat or swelling. Picking out your horse’s feet often and especially prior to mounting will allow you to monitor hoof condition and be aware of thrush or loose shoes.
Other normals for your horse include manure and urine output as well as water consumption. We all know that monitoring urine and manure production in horses that live out can be challenging and will
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require keen observational skills to know what their normal is.
All these little clues will help if your horse becomes ill. Knowing the normal on your horse will help detect the abnormal!
A homemade eye protector
Photo by Smooch
Downward lashes indicate pain was well as squinting and excessive tearing.