Basic First Aid 

How to check your horse’s heart rate?  

You can take your horse's heart rate by listening to his heart with a stethoscope or by feeling his pulse on his facial artery or digital artery. Most people can easily locate these two arteries. The facial artery runs around the outside of his jawbone. The digital artery is located on the outside of his leg near the fetlock. To feel the pulse, gently press down on the artery. Place a stethoscope on your horse's chest, just behind the elbow. You can multiply the number of beats in fifteen seconds by four. An adult horse's resting heart rate is 30-40 beats per minute (bpm). Foals have a higher resting heart rate that ranges between 70 and 120 beats per minute. If your horse is excited, in pain, has certain diseases, or has recently exercised, the heart rate will generally be higher.  

How to check your horse's temperature?  

Carefully hold the base of the tail and lift it to the side while standing beside the horse's back . The thermometer should then be gently inserted into the horse's rectum. Your horse is in normal range if the temperature is between 99 and 101°F.  

What to do if your horse has a wound and is bleeding?  

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with cold water. 

2. Apply a small amount of antiseptic cream or gel 

3. Apply a bandage and change the bandage every few hours  

4. If the wound is very deep and bleeding doesn’t stop talking to your veterinarian is highly recommended.