The heart rate also can be assessed by listening to the heart at the point of the elbow on the left side with a stethoscope. The normal heart rate for a horse is approximately 30-40 beats per minute. The respiratory rate can be determined by watching the rib cage, feeling for the breaths at the nostrils, or listening to the breaths in the windpipe with a stethoscope. The normal respiratory rate for a horse is eight to 12 breaths per minute. After determining the heart and respiratory rates, the color, moistness, and capillary refill of the gums can be assessed.
Gums normally are pink, moist, and have a capillary refill time of about two seconds.
The capillary refill time is determined by pressing hard on the gum line with your thumb, just adjacent to the teeth, and determining how long it takes for the blood you squeezed out to rush back into the area making the blanched white spot you created go away. Don't forget about the thermometer. I must state that, as mentioned earlier, all horses respond to physical abnormalities differently. For example, not all horses experiencing pain have an elevated heart rate. So, the above information is useful to provide to your veterinarian and to aid in the decision of when to call your veterinarian, but should there be any concern regarding the health of your horse, veterinary consultation should be sought.