Digital Pulse HELP!

[HairyCob]

I'm worried, very worried.

Dolly has been on very restricted grazing and has lost loads of weight over the winter, and surprisingly hasn't actually put much on with the spring grass so I haven't been worried about the dreaded big L.

Today my YO was grooming her husbands 17.3hh ISH, and accidentally found his digital pulse- he's been under weight all winter and is just looking nicely covered now, and is on unrestricted fairly lush grass.... so I checked Dolly's legs, feeling fairly confident that I WOULDN'T find a pulse, but I did

I have NO IDEA what a 'bad' pulse feels like, but I could definitely feel Dolly's very clearly, and YO's horse's although less 'definite' was there.

I've put Dolly out with NO extra grass tonight (she usually has her fence moved a bit at night) but with hay to stop her getting hungry.

Is it normal to be able to find the pulse in thin-skinned horses? There is no abnormal heat in either of them's feet, neither are massively over weight, not footy or 'leaning' but needless to say, I'm still worried!

Should I be getting her in off the grass altogether and getting the vet? She really does only have a miniscule amount of grass in her patch, as Poohsmate can testify as he got her in for me on Saturday!

Help, advice, reassurance or whatever greatfully recieved.

 

[Rhein]

Don't panic

I believe it is perfectly normal to be able to feel a horses digital pulse. I could feel my previous horses digital (pedal?) pulse.
The important thing is to know what is normal for your horse. This could well be Dollys normal. Is it raised (fast)?

If she has not put weight on, is on very little grass, has no heat in her feet and everything otherwise seems normal, then I'd be pretty sure that she is fine.

I'm sure someone more experienced than I on these matters will be able to reassure you.

But if you're worried, get the vet to take a look.

 

[MelanieD]

If you rest your fingers lightly against the back of the pastern and can feel a pulse then you should be worried, if you can feel a pounding pulse then that's worthy of panic and get off grass straight away. If you are pressing quite hard to find a pulse then that can let you find a pulse even on healthy horses. Pulses can be slightly raised when they've been running around so pulses on horses that have been standing still or plodding around slowly for a while are more worrying.

It is possible to have mild laminitis that doesn't show up as footyness if the horse is shod, and it has to get really bad before they're rocking back. If you can catch it at the stage or just raised pulses and sort out diet then you can avoid it getting worse.

Its a good idea to check pulses regularly so you get used to what is normal for you to be able to find on your horse.

 

[gypsygold]

Feeling the pulse is fine, after all there is always blood pumping around the body. If the digital pulse is particularly strong and pounding then thats th time to take it as a warning.

 

[Yann]

It's a 'bounding digital pulse' that's one of the symptoms of full blown laminitis, a raised pulse can be a sign of trouble. I think you need to know what's normal for the individual horse, I can barely find a pulse on Rio but it's quite clear on Tess

 

[HairyCob]

Thanks for your replies folks, I'm feeling much more reassured now!

I found similar pulses in all four feet on Dolly, and as I said, nothing else unusual, so I will check her again tomorrow morning and providing there are no other 'warning' signs, I'll then continue to check them daily until I've convinced myself they are 'normal for Dolly'!

 

[Bebe]

I can always find one in my mare, usually on all 4 hooves but I cheat a bit and press on harder than I should so have to remind myself to raise the pressure once I've found it.

That said, even with no pressure I can usually find a very slight pulse, it's normal for my mare. I worry a bit when it's easier to find than usual.

 

[Mehitabel]

yep, a lot of horses have them. if you ever get the chance, feel one who you know has lammy - the difference once you've felt it is memorable.

 

[Bubblepony]

Where do you feel for a digital pulse? Is it on the fetlock join or near the pastern? I know this sounds silly but could someone kindly lable it on a photograph? I've ben shown various different places from my farrier and vet and I'm really worried I'm messing around with the wrong place.

Also is a "raised digital pulse" a stronger feeling pulse or a faster one? Thanks