How do I take and record my horse’s vital signs?
Short answer
Every horse owner should know how to take temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR) and record baseline values when their horse is healthy. Baselines make it easier to recognize early changes and provide clear information to your veterinarian.
Normal resting adult ranges:
Temperature: 99–101.5°F (37.2–38.6°C)
Heart Rate (Pulse): 28–44 beats per minute
Respiration Rate: 8–16 breaths per minute
Capillary Refill Time (CRT): Under 2 seconds
Gut Sounds: Present in all four abdominal quadrants
(Foals normally run higher.)
Real-Life Example
If your horse seems slightly off — not finishing feed or acting quieter than usual — you check their temperature and it’s 102.3°F with a heart rate of 52 bpm at rest… that information immediately changes the conversation with your vet.
Without baseline vitals, you’re guessing.
With baseline vitals, you’re providing data.
How to Take Them
Temperature:
Use a lubricated digital rectal thermometer. Stand safely to the side of the hindquarters. Record immediately.
Pulse (Heart Rate):
Feel the facial artery under the jaw or use a stethoscope behind the left elbow. Count beats for 15 seconds × 4.
Respiration:
Watch the flank rise and fall. One inhale + one exhale = 1 breath. Count for 30 seconds × 2.
Capillary Refill Time (CRT):
Press the gum until it blanches white. Color should return within 1–2 seconds.
Take vitals when your horse is calm and at rest to establish a true baseline.
Here’s a thorough video explaining how to take vitals from SmartPack!
Recording & Sharing Vitals
Taking vitals is only helpful if they’re recorded.
We created a Master Plan Sheet designed for barns of all sizes. You can record as much or as little information as you’d like — from basic TPR to notes about behavior, feed intake, medications, or recent changes.
It’s meant to be:
Easy to update
Easy to print and keep at the barn
Easy to share with veterinarians or barn staff
Readily accessible in an emergency
When something feels off, having organized records saves time and reduces guesswork.
It Depends
Vitals are influenced by:
Exercise
Heat and humidity
Stress
Pain
Dehydration
Illness
Environment
A horse who just finished moving may have temporarily elevated pulse and respiration. That’s normal. What matters most is how quickly those values return to baseline.
Your horse’s normal may sit slightly higher or lower within standard ranges — which is why recording healthy baselines matters.
When to Call Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian if:
Temperature is above 101.5°F at rest
Heart rate remains elevated at rest
No gut sounds are heard
CRT exceeds 2 seconds
Your horse appears uncomfortable AND vitals are abnormal
If you’re unsure, call. Early communication is always better than delayed intervention.
Taking and recording vitals does not replace veterinary care. It supports it.
Strong preventive care includes knowing your horse’s normal before something feels wrong.
Sources:
Merck Veterinary Manual (Equine Normal Clinical Parameters)
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
