Equine Health Symptoms

Skin

• Skin and coat are representative of general nutrition and health. A shiny coat reflects adequate nutrients. A dull coat, or a coat with patches of hair missing, signifies a problem. Dullness can mean that a horse is simply lacking a proper diet with the nutrients it needs. Missing patches of hair, or even growths on the skin, can signify a skin fungus or an infection. If you notice this, it is best to check with your vet for treatment because some infections need medication, some can be treated with creams found at your local horse store and others could be allergic reactions or rashes that may disappear on their own.

Eyes and Nose

• Just like the skin, eyes should not be dull. They also should not be clouded, as this could be indicative of a vision problem. If there is any discharge from the nose (snot, blood, pus) your horse may be ill and you should check with the vet. Oftentimes after exercising there may be discharge from the nose, and if this is not normal for your horse, you may want to ask your vet about it. Frequent coughing can be a sign of infection or a respiratory problem and should be evaluated as well.

Eating, Drinking and Manure Production

• Horses should be fed twice a day according to their weight and exercise routine. If your horse begins to eat less than is normal for him, or doesn't eat at all, this could signify a digestive problem and should be checked out immediately. This also goes for grass and hay. If your horse is consistently not eating his grain, make sure that in the meantime, while you figure the problem out, he still has plenty of roughage (hay and grass) to keep his stomach full and intestines working.
  Further, your horse should always have plenty of clean water and drink throughout the day.
  If your horse is having difficulty producing urine or manure, this could also be a sign of an internal problem. Be sure to know your horse's normal consumption and output so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Hooves

• Hooves should be round with no holes or cracks in them. If you pick up the hoof and look at the underside, there should be no foul odor and no black color. The underside should also not be very moist. It is important to keep stones and rocks out of the foot to avoid bruising. If your horse is limping on one foot (or more) it could signify a simple problem, such as a bruise, or a more complicated problem, such as founder.

Temperature, Pulse and Breathing

• According to horses-and-horse-information.com, a horse's pulse should be between 38 and 40 beats per minute, and anything over 80 is worrisome. This will vary from horse to horse, so, again, you need to be familiar with your own animal. A horse takes about 8-10 breaths per minute and its temperature should be between 99.8 and 101.3 degrees. Still, a horse could breathe as many as 16 times per minute. This variation is the reason that it is so important to know what is normal for your horse. If these vital signs are abnormal, talk to your vet. Labored breathing, raised pulse or raised temperature are signs of illness.

Overall Appearance

• Just like humans, horses should have an overall healthy appearance. They should be alert and aware of their surroundings, not appearing dull or disinterested. If a horse appears lethargic or unaware of what's going on, you should further investigate for any other symptoms or problems and talk to your vet. Finally, if you are ever unsure about your horse's health, talk to your vet immediately--don't take any chances.