How to Take Your Horse's Temperature

Keeping a record of your horse's normal vital signs,
including his temperature, will allow you to
quickly notice and respond to any abnormalities.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: Five minutes

Here's How:

1. If you're at all unsure of how your horse will react
to having his temperature taken, have someone hold his lead rope.

2. Lubricate the thermometer with some petroleum jelly
and approach his hind quarters. Run your hand over his quarters,
so he knows you're there and lift his tail.

3. Insert the thermometer into his rectum.

4. It can take from one to several minutes to get an accurate reading.
The modern, digital thermometers often beep to alert you they are done.

5. Remove and read the horse's temperature.

6. Take your horse's temperature at different times of day
and in different situations to establish a norm.

Tips:

1. You can get an inexpensive, plastic digital thermometer at your local drug store.
They are much safer and easier to use than the old glass thermometers.

2. To prevent loss of your thermometer either inside the horse or on the floor,
attach an alligator clip to the end of the thermometer by means of a length of yarn.
Attach the alligator clip to the horse's tail hairs to secure it safely.

3. Normal equine body temperatures can range from 99.8 - 101.3.
Temperatures higher than 102 usually indicate a disease process.


HORSE CARE INDEX