HEALTH & WELFARE
A HOT TOPIC FOR
HORSE HEALTH H
ow often do you check your horse’s rectal temperature? This question was included in a survey of horse owners by the British Equestrian Trade Association in 2021, and of
385 respondents, more than half reported that they only take their horse’s temperature if they think they may be unwell. In addition, 20% said they never think about it, and 8% felt unable to temperature-check through their own inexperience or the horse’s lack of training. The survey also revealed that just 4% of respondents had made a habit of checking this key health indicator on either a
By Redwings Horse Sanctuary
daily or weekly basis. Only a small number of people (4%) monitored their horse’s temperature on returning from equestrian events. While Redwings specifically promotes the value of routinely keeping an eye on resting temperatures as part of our Stamp Out Strangles campaign, infectious disease is only one reason a horse may develop fever (a temperature above 38.5°c). Any viral or bacterial infection can cause temperature to rise, as can inflammation or rarer conditions such as
immune-disorders and some types of cancer. Sometimes the underlying cause of a fever is not revealed through diagnostics, being termed by vets as ‘pyrexia of unknown origin’. But fever is always a sign that something is wrong. Making a habit of checking your horse’s rectal temperature will help you to: • Know your horse’s normal temperature range • Help your horse feel comfortable with the process • Get you used to the process if you haven’t often done it before • Know where your thermometer and lubricant are if you need them in a hurry • Spot a health issue early and take action to investigate and help stop anything infectious spreading to other horses • Combine your horse’s temperature with their pulse and respiration rate (TPL) to monitor overall health. Top temperature taking tips Checking your horse’s temperature can soon become a quick and straightforward horse health habit. Here are some handy hints to make sure the process is as easy and accurate as possible: 4 Always use a digital thermometer – old fashioned glass ones are an absolute no-no 4 Use lubricant to avoid snagging the thermometer on the sensitive skin around the rectum – your horse might also appreciate the lubricant being warmed
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