10 Signs of a Healthy Horse

From the March 2014 issue of The Stable Magazine – www.thestablemagazine.com/march 2014

Following are signs that will help you check that your horse is in optimum health: 

1. Eyes & Nostrils

Your horse’s eyes should be clear and bright. They should not look cloudy or discoloured, and no discharge should be visible. If your horse has excessive discharge or discoloured discharge from his eyes or nostrils, this can be indicative of a health problem. Clear discharge is normal as long as it is not excessive.

2. Teeth

Your horse’s teeth need to be checked and ‘floated’ (rasped) at least once a year. Otherwise, sharp points can develop from uneven wear. Senior horses may have to have their teeth checked more regularly, particularly if they are having any difficulty eating or chewing their feed. Look for any signs of discomfort, and check to see if your horse drops much of his feed out of his mouth. This can indicate that he might require a visit from the vet or dentist.

3. Appetite

Your horse’s appetite is a good indication of how good (or not so good!) he is feeling. A good appetite is normal for a healthy horse. If a horse is disinterested in food, it can be an early indicator that there might be a problem.

4. Weight and Body Condition

You should aim to keep your horse in optimum condition, and avoid letting him get too obese, or too underweight. This can be a seasonal balancing act, and horses may drop weight quickly, so it is important to keep a check on your horse’s body condition. You should not be able to see the horse’s ribs, but you should be able to feel them.

5. Healthy Hooves

No hoof, no horse! Your horse’s hooves should be kept in good condition - regularly trimmed by the farrier. Long, weak or brittle hooves means that your horse most likely needs a regular farrier appointment - and you may have to look into his diet to see if you are meeting all of his nutritional requirements.

6. Clean Legs

Your horses legs should be ‘clean’ - free of lumps or bumps. When you’re grooming your horse, it’s a good idea to check his legs over for any signs of heat, pain, swelling or cuts and lumps on the skin.

7. Free Movement

A healthy horse will have flowing, free movement and will not show any signs of lameness or irregular gait. A lame horse will appear to step ‘short’, and may ‘nod’ his head when trotted up on a hard surface.

8. Temperature

A healthy horse’s temperature will be between 37.5 degrees celsius

The horse’s body temperature does fluctuate slightly, so it is a good idea to get to know what is normal for your horse. Temperature readings that fall outside the normal range should always be carefully monitored. A temperature of 39 degrees celsius or over requires immediate veterinary attention.

9. Shiny Coat

A shiny, glowing coat is a sign of good health! If you are meeting your horse’s nutritional requirements, as well as keeping on top of a regular grooming schedule, your horse’s coat should shine! A dull coat can be a sign that something is nutritionally lacking in your horse’s diet, or it can be an indication of worm burden.

10. Attitude

Your horse should have a bright and alert demeanour. He should be interested in his surroundings and seem comfortable. Horses who are sick, injured or uncomfortable may appear dull, listless and disinterested. Other signs of pain include obvious signs of discomfort - rolling, pawing or repeated kicking and rapid respiration.

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Thank you to The Stable Magazine for this article, which was originally published in their March 2014 issue. Check out The Stable Magazine online now for FREE. Read this article and many more at www.thestablemagazine.com