Instructions to Taking a Horse's Heart Rate

Taking a horse's heart rate is an important health check. Most adult horses have a resting heart rate of about 30 to 40 beats per minute. Heart rates higher than that can indicate your horse is in pain and may need medical attention. An elevated heart rate can also indicate dehydration or fever. Heart rates are generally higher in smaller and younger horses, with resting heart rates ranging from 70 to 120 bpm in foals, 45 to 60 bpm in yearlings and 40 to 50 bpm in 2-year-olds.

Things You'll Need

  • Stopwatch or wristwatch with a second hand
  • Stethoscope
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Instructions

  1. Behind the Elbow

    • 1

      Stand on your horse's left side, facing its left elbow and left shoulder. The elbow is the joint where the left front leg joins the body.

    • 2

      Put on the stethoscope, and place the end behind the point of the elbow. Press it into the armpit, and move it around until it is flat on the horse's skin.

    • 3

      Locate the sound of your horse's heartbeat. A single beat consists of two sounds and is very similar to a human heartbeat.

    • 4

      Count the heartbeats for a 15-second period as measured on your stopwatch. Multiply this number by four to get the number of beats per minute.

    Under the Chin

    • 5

      Stand in front of your horse's head, slightly to its left. Reach your hand into the joint between its cheek and chin, just below the eye.

    • 6

      Find the transverse facial artery, a cord-like structure about the thickness of the pencil, and press it firmly with your middle two fingers. Adjust your position until you can feel the horse's pulse.

    • 7

      Once you have the pulse, count the number of beats for 15 seconds on your wristwatch or stopwatch. Multiply this number by four to get the number of beats per minute.