The Horse’s TPR Values: How and Where to Measure Pulse, Temperature and Respiration

Temperature, Pulse and Respiration - Indicators of Your Horse's Health

Early detection of fever, respiratory abnormalities or a too low/too high pulse can save your horse’s life. The following will elaborate on how to take your horse’s temperature, pulse and respiration correctly.

Everything You Need to Know About TPR Values

How to Check a Horse’s Temperature

To take your horse’s temperature correctly, make sure your horse is standing still first. Now you can move the tail to the side and insert a thermometer into the anus. Make sure you do this carefully and attach a string to the thermometer so that it does not get “lost” in the horse.

When Does My Horse Have a Fever?

The average temperature of a horse is 37.5 to 38.5°C (99.5 – 101.3°F).

The optimal temperature of a foal is between 37.2 and 38.9°C (98.96 – 102.02°F).

How to Determine the Pulse of a Horse

Place two of your fingers on the jaw, the inside of the carpal joint or the fetlock until you feel your horse’s pulse. Now count the number of beats for 30 seconds. Multiply this number by two.

Alternatively, you can measure the pulse with a stethoscope on the girth. Here you also count for 30 seconds and multiply this number by two.

How High is a Horse’s Pulse?

Horses have an average pulse of 28 to 44 bpm (beats per minute).

A foal’s pulse should be between 60 to 80 bpm.

How to Measure the Respiration of Horses

Observe your horse’s flank or nostrils. Count the breaths for 30 seconds (inhaling and exhaling count as one breath). Multiply the counted breaths by two. This is how you determine your horse’s breaths per minute.

A Horse's Average Breathing Rate

The breathing rate of a healthy horse is 8 – 16 bpm (breaths per minute).

A foal breathes in and out 20 to 40 times in one minute.

Save this chart and always have a guide on how to determine your horse’s TPR levels

Print Out Measure Pulse Temperature Respiration in Horses with example

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Enter all your horse's TPR values into the Happie Horse App health record and have all the data at your fingertips for the next vet appointment.

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