Increased digital pulse after excercise.

[alwaysfallingof]

Is this normal?

When I've caught Max in the past couple of days then his feet feel fine, and there is no digital pulse.
After I'd ridden then his feet were still cool, but I could feel a definite digital pulse. (I realised yesterday that I've actually been pushing far too hard to try and find it, and that if I just press gently then it's a lot easier to find - and maybe consequently feels stronger?)

So...is it normal for a horse's digital pulse to increase after excercise - due to increased blood flow maybe- (he had them in all 4 feet), or is it an indication that he's on the verge of laminitis and the increased stress is causing inflammation of the laminae?

He's forward going in the school, although a little quieter today but that could be because he's still a fluffy monkey and it was hot. He's not even remotely standing on his heels.:confused:

[outback]

I would say as a general rule there should not be a pulse. The blood should run through without a pulse in a perfectly sound/healthy hoof. A pulse shows when there is a influx of bloody because of inflamation requires more bloodflow

It could maybe be a bit of mild concussion depending what ground you work on?

How long after you stop riding does the pulse go away?

What kind of hoofcare does your boy currently get?

Is he showing any slight lameness or stepping short at all after cooldown and next day?

[alwaysfallingof]

See my other thread "Max has laminitis" for details.

According to my vet it isn't unusual for them to have a pulse after hard excercise, but in retrospect was a sign that things weren't quite right.

[MelanieD]

A very feint pulse after excercise can be normal, especially if you are far too good at finding them. Any more than a barely detectable feint pulse then I'd be a bit worried.