🐴 Vet Guide to Monitoring Horse Health at Home | 2025 Body Condition, TPR & Nutrition Tips 🩺

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Monitoring your horse’s health doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, some of the most important clues are right in front of you—your horse’s body condition, coat quality, vital signs, and manure. 🧠🐎

With this practical 2025 guide, you’ll learn how to assess your horse’s wellness at home using vet-approved techniques. Whether you’re a new horse owner or an experienced caretaker, understanding these basic markers will empower you to spot issues early and support your vet in making timely decisions. 🩺📋

📏 Body Condition Score (BCS): The #1 Health Indicator

Your horse’s body condition score (BCS) provides a reliable snapshot of overall nutritional health. The system rates fat coverage on a scale of 1 to 9:

• 1️⃣ = Emaciated
• 4️⃣ = Lean
• 5–6️⃣ = Ideal
• 8–9️⃣ = Obese

To assess BCS, examine fat deposits in the following areas:

• 🦒 Along the neck
• 🐎 Over the withers
• 💪 Behind the shoulders
• 🏋️ Across the ribs
• 🍑 Around the tailhead

If ribs are clearly visible, the horse is likely at a BCS of 4 or lower. A healthy range is between 5 and 6. Horses scoring 8 or 9 are at increased risk of laminitis (founder) and metabolic issues. ⚠️

📉 Underweight Horses:

• May have visible ribs, a narrow neck, and sunken withers
• Require evaluation of diet, deworming, and dental health
• May benefit from high-fat, high-fiber feeds and alfalfa

📈 Overweight Horses:

• Have fat pads along the crest, tailhead, and behind shoulders
• Should be tested for insulin resistance or Cushing’s
• May need a lower-sugar diet and exercise plan

If your horse scores 4 or less or 8 or above, schedule a nutritional consultation with your vet—or use the Ask A Vet app for tailored support. 📲🐴

✨ Hair Coat: A Window into Wellness

A horse’s coat reflects its inner health. A glossy, shiny coat often indicates good nutrition and wellness, while a dull, rough, or patchy coat may suggest underlying problems. 🧼🌟

🚨 Warning Signs Include:

• 🦠 Parasitic infections (worms, lice, mites)
• 📉 Malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies
• 🔄 Seasonal coat shedding delays or inconsistencies

Provide a balanced diet with omega fatty acids and regular grooming to maintain skin and coat health. For mystery coat problems, ask your vet about bloodwork or fecal testing. 🧪🩻

🌡️ TPR: Temperature, Pulse & Respiration

Tracking your horse’s TPR—temperature, pulse, and respiration—can help detect early illness, pain, or infection. Knowing your horse’s normal vitals gives you a valuable baseline. 🩺📊

📏 Normal Adult Horse Ranges:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 99–101.5°F (37.2–38.6°C)
• ❤️ Heart Rate: 28–44 beats per minute (bpm)
• 💨 Respiration: 8–16 breaths per minute

🧰 How to Check TPR:

• 🌡️ Use a digital rectal thermometer for temperature
• 🫀 Feel the facial or digital artery for pulse
• 👃 Watch nostril flares or flank movement for breaths

If you’re unsure how to do this, ask your vet for a demo or video tutorial. Once you learn it, this simple habit can make a big difference. 🧠📈

🔊 Listening for Gut Sounds: What’s Normal?

Gut sounds (borborygmi) are the noises your horse’s intestines make as they process food. A healthy gut is an active one! 🐴🔉

🔍 Using a Stethoscope:

• Place it on the lower belly (both sides)
• Listen for gurgles, swishes, or tinkling sounds
• Compare volume and frequency

🚨 Red Flags:

• 🧘‍♂️ No sounds = potential colic or shutdown
• 🌀 Excessively loud sounds = gas or irritation

Learning what’s normal for your horse takes practice. Ask your vet to guide you during wellness checks. 🎧🩺

💩 Manure Matters: What Poop Can Tell You

Your horse’s manure offers insight into hydration, digestion, and gut health. Normal feces should be moist, formed, and free of undigested feed or mucus. 🧻🐴

🚨 Abnormal Findings:

• 💦 Diarrhea – sign of stress, parasites, or infection
• 🍂 Dry pellets – may indicate dehydration
• 🧱 Undigested fiber – chewing or dental problems

Monitor frequency and appearance daily. Clean stalls and pastures help you track changes and detect issues early. 👀📋

🧠 Putting It All Together: When to Call the Vet

Here’s when you should reach out for professional help or use the Ask A Vet app:

• 🌡️ TPR is outside normal ranges
• 🐴 Sudden weight loss or gain
• 💩 Diarrhea lasting more than a day
• 🌾 Refusal to eat, drink, or graze
• 💥 Unusual behavior, posture, or vocalizations

Providing your vet with your home-recorded observations—TPR, manure changes, body condition, etc.—saves time and enhances care. 📈🧑‍⚕️

📲 How the Ask A Vet App Helps

The Ask A Vet app supports equine health monitoring with:

• 📱 Direct chat with licensed equine vets
• 📸 Image uploads of BCS, coat, wounds, or manure
• 📊 Symptom logs for ongoing monitoring
• 🔔 Wellness reminders and appointment tracking

It’s your digital stable assistant—keeping your horse healthy from the palm of your hand. 🐎📲

✅ Horse Health Home Checklist

• 📏 Monitor body condition score monthly
• ✨ Check coat for shine, patches, or roughness
• 🌡️ Learn to take TPR weekly or when concerned
• 🔊 Practice listening to gut sounds with a stethoscope
• 💩 Log manure changes—color, shape, smell, consistency

Early detection = better outcomes. The more observant you are, the more effectively your vet can respond. 💪📅

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Your horse depends on you to notice what’s normal—and what’s not. By learning how to monitor body condition, coat quality, TPR, gut sounds, and manure, you become your horse’s first line of defense. 🛡️🐴

Stay engaged, stay observant, and use the Ask A Vet app to guide your care year-round. Together, we can make 2025 your horse’s healthiest year yet. 🐎📲