Megan Campbell, D.V.M.

Abnormal vital signs are a warning sign that something potentially serious could be wrong with your horse.  Being able to perform a T (temperature), P (pulse), R (respirations), can be an invaluable skill to have.  It can clue you in to whether somehting is wrong with your  horse and it can be very valuable information to have when talking on the phone with a veterinarian.

What you will need. . .
In order to take your horse's TPR, you will need a digital thermometer, petroleum jelly, an inexpensive stethoscope, and a watch.  You can purchase everything that you will need to take a TPR at most local pharmacies.

Temperature
Lubricate the end of your digital thermometer with petroleum jelly and insert the end into the rectum.  Most thermometers will beep when they are finished.  The normal body temperature of a horse is 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pulse
A stethoscope is the best way take a horse's heart rate.  Place the stethoscope against the left side of the horse's chest, directly behind the elbow.  The heartbeat will sound like a lub-dub as one beat.  Normal heart rates for horses are between 28-40 beats per minute.  If you do not have a stehoscope, you can place your hand where you would place the stethoscope and attempt to feel the heart beat.  This is usually only successful on thin horses.  The other option is to feel the pulse via a peripheral artery.  The two easiest places are under the chin, where the cheek meets the mandible, or at the back of the fetlock, right near the sesamoids.

Respirations
Respriations can be easily counted by watching the horse's abdominal muscles move in and out while it is breathing.  You can also look at its nostrils and see if mostion synchronous wiht its breathing can be detected.  The normal respiratory rate for a horse is from 10-20 breaths per minute.