Instructions
Assess the conditions. Look for abnormal behavior. Horses are, by nature, social creatures. If your horse normally greets you at the gate and he's standing alone in the pasture, ignoring you, this signals a potential problem. He might have colic or he might be stuck in something. If he walks with a noticeable limp, or bobs his head as he walks or trots, this indicates lameness. Look at his feces and urine in the bedding as you muck his stall. Bloody or foul-smelling urine may indicate a urinary tract infection. Diarrhea can be the source of many different conditions and warrants an immediate call to the vet.
Check his legs. Run your hand over his legs, feeling for an increase in temperature and any tender areas. Be careful about handling his hind legs. Even a horse with a gentle disposition may kick out if he's in pain. Check his hocks for swelling. See if there are any wounds or lacerations. Pick up his hooves and check for cracks, foreign objects, loose shoes and abscesses. There are so many reasons that a horse may come up lame and why a thorough check by the veterinarian is in order. Your horse will need X-rays, flexion testing and nerve blocks to diagnose the problem.
Check the saddle fit. Some horses have cold backs and need to be warmed up thoroughly before they are asked to do hard work. Others are "girthy," or sensitive to having the saddle and girth put on. However, if your horse suddenly begins biting, swishing his tail or trying to kick when you put on the saddle and girth, he might have a sore back. Other indications of a sore back include flinching as the rider puts his weight in the saddle. Horses with sore backs are reluctant to move with fluidity and their gaits are constricted. A sore back can be due to improper saddle fit. Have a qualified saddle fitter work with you to determine if your saddle is right for your horse. A equine chiropractor can perform an adjustment on your horse's back, and the vet should be called if the problem persists or becomes worse.
Look in the water and feed buckets. Make sure your horse is eating and drinking. A horse that won't eat or drink may have colic, a blockage or other serious illness. Signs of colic include biting at her sides, laying down and rolling. Horses with severe colic may also stand with their heads held low, almost touching the ground. With colic, emergency medicines should be administered and the vet called immediately.
Check vital signs. Using a thermometer, take the horse's temperature rectally. Normal temperatures for equines range between 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor his pulse by placing your hand under his jaw and counting for 60 seconds. A pulse higher than 40 is not normal unless your horse has just been worked. His respiration should be between 8 to 16 breaths per minute when he's at rest. Any deviations to normal vital signs indicate a problem. Increased pulse and respiration often come with pain.
How to Identify the Source of Pain in a Horse
Your horse can't speak to you, but he will let you know when he's not feeling well. Identifying the source of pain in a horse can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with horse-speak. A horse whisperer will tell you that it takes years of observation to know everything about horse behavior. However, there are definite signs that a horse is in pain. If you know what to look for, you can make good decisions about how to help your equine friend. Learn to know when it’s time to call the vet or take care of matters yourself. Possessing this knowledge develops your horsemanship skills. It can also save your horse's life.