ALWAYS CALL YOUR VET IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS WITH YOUR MINI.

As responsible horse owners and handlers there are certain things we should know that could give early indication to health problems.

Lets start with the two easiest: 

BEHAVIOUR 

The only way to know what is normal behaviour for your horse is to spend time with him.

Learn what is normal for each horse you own or care for - is he highly strung and excitable or very laid back?
Does he come running at the sight of you or merely raise his head and wonder what you could possible want now?

Does he sweat easily if you un-rug him a little later then normal, does he pace in his stable, does he sulk after a farrier visit...

By learning what is normal, you will quickly pick up when your horse is behaving in a way that is NOT normal - out of character behaviour can be a sign of sickness or stress and it should prompt you to investigate further.

APPETITE 

If you feed the same amounts every day, you will be able to tell if your horse's appetite increases or decreases. 

Lack of desire to eat usually indicates something's wrong, especially if your horse is normally an eager eater.

If your horse eats only a little one day, be sure to watch him over the next few days. If his appetite continues to decrease, there may be something wrong. Check the horse's vital signs for abnormalities. 

Of course be aware of the amount of pick in your horses paddock too - if Spring growth has hit he will not be as eager for his feed as in the middle of Winter. 

Also, be sure to watch your horse's intake of water. If he stops drinking, or drinks more than normal, something may be wrong. 

Take note of any changes in your horse's appetite, and be sure to call a vet if something seems wrong.

Now for the slightly harder signs (practice - practice - practice) 

The following signs are things we should all learn to measure, and to know what is normal for each of our horses.
While the following gives an indication of what is a normal range, some horses may live very happily out of the norm - for instance your smaller mini may have a slightly higher temperature and slightly faster pulse then your taller mini - again, learn what the norm is for each individual under your care.

The following are normal parameters for a mini at rest in moderate ambient temperature.

TEMPERATURE 

The normal temperature for an adult miniature at rest is 37.2 - 38.8 degrees Celsius. 
It may increase in response to exercise or high environmental temperatures.  

Foals and yearlings may have higher temperatures, especially if they are nervous. 

Note - some horses may have slightly higher temperatures their whole life - it is important to learn what is normal for each horse.

If you have one with a ring on the end, you can attach a small alligator clip with some nylon or fishing string, so the thermometer can be clipped to the horse's tail when you take it's temperature.

Don't stand directly behind the horse in case its not so happy about what you are doing :) 

• First, if its a mercury type, shake the mercury down the thermometer. 
• Lubricate it with petroleum jelly before inserting it.
• To take the horse's temperature, stand on its left side, facing its rear. 
• Grab the tail with your left hand. Hold the thermometer in you right hand. 
• Slowly but firmly raise the tail up and to the side, and insert the thermometer.
• Push it in gently until only about half an inch is sticking out. Then, clip the alligator clamp on the horse's tail hair.
• Leave the thermometer in for about three minutes - if its a digital it may beep when ready. 
• When you have removed it, wipe it before you read it.
• Always clean the thermometer before returning it to its case to prevent spreading any illness.

Temperatures can be a degree or so higher in the afternoon than in the evening, so if you are taking your horse's temperature for several days in a row, try to do it around the same time each day. Horses in new surroundings or around strange people may also have higher temperatures, and the temperature will usually go up a few hours after the horse has eaten. Cold weather or water may lower the horse's temperature.

PULSE

Young foals will be higher - 80 - 120 beats per minute, reducing over time until about 2 years old.

The horse's pulse rate will increase if he is excited or nervous, in pain, during/after exercise, or has a disease. The higher the heart rate, the more severe the condition.

You can feel the horse's pulse by placing your hand under the horse's jaw:
The horse's pulse can be found near the front of the left jawbone. Under the jawbone, there is a major artery that sticks out slightly. Using your forefinger (not your thumb - because you may feel your own pulse), press against the artery firmly. Use a clock or counter to time a 15 second period. Multiply the number of beats you counted by 4.

You can also take the pulse by feeling behind the left elbow, by putting your ear there or using a stethescope.
Or by feeling behind the horse's fetlock, at the widest part. 

Be sure to count each lub-dub as 1 beat.

Respiration

The normal respiration rate for an adult miniature at rest is 10 - 18 breaths per minute.
It may increase in response to exercise, hot humid weather or excitement.  This is slightly higher then a larger horse.

New born foals will be higher - 30 - 40 breaths  per minute.

To measure the horse's respiration rate, stand back and watch it's ribs move. If you have a stethoscope, you can listen to the breaths by placing it over the horse's trachea (windpipe), located on the underside of the horse's neck. 
Be sure to count one inhale and one exhale as ONE breath (not two).
You can also try watching eth nostrils or holding your hand near his nostrils if you can't see his ribcage well due to hair etc.

Rapid breathing at rest should receive veterinary attention.

The respiration rate should NEVER exceed the pulse rate. A horse should also spend equal time inhaling and exhaling.

MUCOUS MEMBRANES 

A healthy horse's gums are slightly more pale than a humans. If a horse's gums are very pale, bright red, grayish blue or bright yellow, call a veterinarian immediately.

The eyelid, also called conjunctivae, should be pink. Red indicates that the eye is irritated, but if the mouth is also red, there may be a serious problem affecting the whole body. 

Any odd coloration may indicate a disease, and a vet should check the horse.

• A horse that is short of red blood cells may have very pale membranes, indicating fever, loss of blood or anemia. 
• A dark red or purplish-blue colour is called cyanosis, and indicates a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. 
• Yellow membranes are called jaundice or icterus. Yellow usually indicates a liver problem. 
• Bright red membranes may indicate toxicity or mild shock.
• Grey or blue membranes may indicate severe shock, depression and illness.
• With some diseases, spots of blood may be seen under the membranes. 
• Dry membranes may indicate fever, or may be caused by certain drugs (like those given to control symptoms of heaves). 
• Odd odours in the mouth could indicate an infected tooth or other problem.

If the horse has pink skin around the eyes, he may be more sensitive than horses with dark skin. 

GUT  SOUNDS

All that noise you hear in your horses gut is normal - a busy gut is a healthy gut, and sounds should always be present.

Usually absence of gut sounds is a sign of colic, while reduced gut sounds can indicate infection.

To check for gut sounds:
Just press your ear up against your horses barrel - behind his last rib, listen for gurgling sounds, on both sides of his body.
A stethescope can also be used.

Its a great idea to do this when you horse is healthy too - so you get an idea of what is normal - there is usually quite a bit of gurgling going on in there.

Vets will listen in different places to judge if any area of the digestive tract is making less noise then the rest of it.

DEHYDRATION

A mini should drink 5% of their body weight in water per day - this increases with increase in exercise or environmental temperature.

Its important that your horse drinks, if you find he is not drinking you can try adding molasses, glucose or apple juice etc to encourage him, but you should still find out the REASON behind him not wanting to drink.

To check for dehydration:
Dehydration is displayed in the skin of the horse, use the pinch test:

Pinch up the skin on the side of your minis neck, once you release it the skin should settle back into place in about 1 second.
Skin that doesn't flatten back in this time indicates your horse is dehydrated.  The longer it takes to flatten the more dehydrated he is.

CRT

Capillary Refill Time (CRT) indicates blood circulation. It is the time it takes for blood to return to an area of the gums.

To check CRT:

• Lift the horses lips 
• press your thumb FIRMLY against his gum for 2 seconds - this should create a white area because of lack of blood.
• The colour should return to normal within 1 -2 seconds of removing your thumb.

Any longer may indicate shock.

REMEMBER - Practicing this when your horse is healthy will let you know what is normal for your own horses and...

ALWAYS CALL YOUR VET IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS WITH YOUR MINI.