This evening we learned about the horse’s health and things to look out for to ensure the horse is not ill.
We looked at TPR temperature, pulse and heartbeat.
We learned how to take the horse’s temperature should be 38 C and how to take it.
How to listen to breathing to ensure its between 8-15 breaths per minute (and faster after exercise of course with time to return to normal being quicker in fitter horses)
We learned where to listen to the horses heartbeat and got a go with the stethoscope – heartbeat is 36-42 and very very quiet!
We also got to pinch a horses’ neck (gently) to see how quickly the flesh bounces back which is an indication of dehydration if its slow.
We learned what to look out for in terms of if the stable bedding was disturbed which could mean pacing, or whether droppings were as expected and f the horse has bright eyes and showed an interest.
We also looked at checking the gums, nose and eyelids to ensure they were pink and healthy not white or red which signifies problems.
We also named all of the main points of a horse.
Lastly we got a tour round the livery yard where we made much of all the inhabitants identifying colours.
We looked at TPR temperature, pulse and heartbeat.
We learned how to take the horse’s temperature should be 38 C and how to take it.
How to listen to breathing to ensure its between 8-15 breaths per minute (and faster after exercise of course with time to return to normal being quicker in fitter horses)
We learned where to listen to the horses heartbeat and got a go with the stethoscope – heartbeat is 36-42 and very very quiet!
We also got to pinch a horses’ neck (gently) to see how quickly the flesh bounces back which is an indication of dehydration if its slow.
We learned what to look out for in terms of if the stable bedding was disturbed which could mean pacing, or whether droppings were as expected and f the horse has bright eyes and showed an interest.
We also looked at checking the gums, nose and eyelids to ensure they were pink and healthy not white or red which signifies problems.
We also named all of the main points of a horse.
Lastly we got a tour round the livery yard where we made much of all the inhabitants identifying colours.