*photo from deserthorseinc.com*

If you suspect a change in behavior in your horse or if he just isn’t looking right check his health by following these simple steps.
Check the temperature:
Checking your horse’s temperature should be one of the first things to do when checking your horse’s health. The temperature should be between 99-101. If the temperature is higher than that it may be an indication of an infection. If the temperature reaches 102 you should contact your veterinarian. The most accurate way to check a horse’s temperature is rectally. You will need a thermometer and attach a string to it so it is easily accessible. You can use Vaseline or jelly to make it easily insertable. Please clean the thermometer after each use.
Check the pulse:
The pulse rate of an adult horse at rest is averaged at 30-40 beats per minute (bpm). If the pulse rate is 50 or higher at rest may mean the horse is distressed. The following are the average rates for young horses:
Foals (70-120 bpm), Yearlings (45-60 bpm), 2yr. olds (40-50 bpm).
You can find the pulse under the jawbone. There is a major artery that shows slightly. Use your forefinger and press against it. Use a clock or counter to time a 15 second period. Multiply the number of beats you counted by 4.
Respiration
The respiration rate of an adult horse at rest is 8-15 breaths per minute. A horse’s respiration rate can increase with exercise, hot weather, fever or pain. If your horse has fast paced breathing at rest you should immediately notify your vet, the respiration rate should NEVER exceed the pulse rate. A horse should also spend equal time inhaling and exhaling.
To check your horse’s respiration rate you can either watch or feel your horse’s ribcage for one minute (be sure to count 1 inhale and 1 exhale as one breath not as two) each breath should be fairly slow. Or try watching the horse’s nostrils or put your hand in front of the nostrils to feel the horse breath
Watch or feel your horse’s ribcage/belly for one minute. Be sure to count 1 inhale and 1 exhale as one breath (not as two). Each breath is fairly slow. If you are having difficulty seeing the ribcage move, try watching the horse’s nostrils or place your hand in front of the nostrils to feel the horse exhale.
Listen to your horse’s gut
Listening to your horse’s gut sounds is very important when determining what is wrong with your horse. Gut sounds are completely normal and should always be present. If there are no gut sounds it could indicate a problem such as colic. If you don’t hear any gut sounds call your veterinarian.
To check for gut sounds press your ear up against your horse’s stomach just behind his last rib. If you hear gut sounds then he’s fine. Check both sides of the stomach.
Dehydration
Horses should drink a minimum of 5 gallons of water per day. If your horse is dehydrated, it is very important that you enforce him to drink. If he refuses to drink water, try adding flavor to it or give him electrolytes and contact your veterinarian if he still won’t drink.

To find out your horse is dehydrated pinch the skin on your horse’s neck. If the skin goes back into place in less than a second, the horse is ok. If it doesn’t, it means he is dehydrated and needs more fluids. The longer the skin stays pinched up before flattening, the more dehydrated he is.