How to Take a Horse's Temperature, Pulse, & Measure Respiration

A guide to measuring a horse's temperature, pulse, and respiration

By RW Crew | February 22, 2024

TPR is a term that's thrown around a lot in the horse world, but what does it stand for, and what even is it? The acronym stands for temperature, pulse, and respiration. These are the three vital signs that can help us determine if there is a health problem occurring. Just like with humans, there is a normal range for each vital sign, though every horse's number may vary. It is important to know how to check these vital signs and to know your horse's normal range. This way if your horse becomes sick, you can recognize it earlier and call the vet to receive further instructions.

In this article, we're going to explain how and why we take these vital signs, as well as what equipment you need to do so and when you'll want to do it. The process is also shown in the video below, so you can gather data side by side with our pro!

When Do We Use TPR?

If you are ever concerned about your horse's health, taking their TPR is a great place to start. Before any emergency, you should take their TPR while they are resting to get their normal range, which is referred to as their "resting rates." This way you have a point of comparison when you think something might be up. Riders commonly take TPR when their horse is showing any clinical signs of distress, such as when they're colicing.

Other times, TPR is taken to evaluate fitness level. After strenuous rides, riders want to make sure their horse cools down properly. Determining that the horse has returned to their normal TPR lets the rider know that they are using their body efficiently and can soon return to their abode. This after-ride process can be officially included in competitions, often referred to as the vet box or 10-minute box. These vet checks are prominent in endurance sports and cross-country in eventing and are there to prove to the show officials that your horse is fit to move on in the competition.

A group of riders and horses in a vet box trying to cool down after an endurance ride

How To Measure TPR

We will go into each vital sign in detail, explaining the where, how, and why. Here's a quick guide on how to measure your horse's temperature, pulse, and respiration, as well as the normal limits for each vital sign.

Vital Sign	Where To Measure	How To Measure	Normal Range
Temperature	Rectum	Using a thermometer and lubricant, gently insert the thermometer and wait for the temperature result.	99-101°F / 37.2-38.3°C
Pulse	Mandibular artery (under the jaw) Digital artery (the outside of the fetlock) Transverse facial artery (just to the side of the eye)	Using your pointer and middle fingers, press the artery up against the bone until you can feel a beat. Count how many beats occur in a 15-second window and multiply by 4 to get beats per minute.	28-44 beats per minute
Respiration	Watch the nostrils Watch the flank Listen to the trachea	Watch the nostrils or flank, or use a stethoscope and listen to the trachea for the horse's inhales or exhales. Count how many full breaths they take in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get breaths per minute.	10-24 breaths per minute

Diagram using a white horse showing the locations that you use to gather vital signs.

This image shows the locations that you use to gather vital signs for temperature, pulse, and respiration.

T is for Temperature

Average Range: 99-101°F

Women holding the tail the horse and inserting a thermometer into the rectum to measure the horse's internal temperature.

Thermometers are used to measure the horse's internal temperature.

Just like people, a horse's temperature can explain what's going on inside their bodies. They can have too low of a temperature, which hints at circulatory issues or shock, and they can also have fevers that are symptoms of infectious diseases and other ailments. To take a horse's temperature, these are the things you will need:

A digital thermometer or glass mercury thermometer
Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Barn buddy to hold your horse in one place (optional)
Something to record temperature (optional)

Start by tying up or having a friend hold your horse so they stay still while taking their temperature. Generously coat the thermometer with your lubricant, and let your horse know you're going toward their rectum by gently lifting their tail to the side. Pay attention to the horse's ear and facial expression as you do this. If your horse is uncomfortable, try to ease them maybe with treats or scratches. When everyone is comfortable, insert the thermometer into the horse's rectum and hold it while the thermometer determines the temperature. It is important to either hold the thermometer the entire time or secure it to their tail, otherwise the thermometer could fall out or get a misread. Once it beeps or stops increasing, you can gently remove the thermometer and record the temperature. Lastly, clean off the thermometer and store it safely, then give your horse a cookie!

Your horse should have a temperature in or around the range of 99-101°F (37.2-38.8°C). If they are outside of this range by 1 or 2 degrees routinely, it's likely nothing to be worried about. Again, horses are like humans; some run hot while others run cold.

P is for Pulse

Normal Range: 28-44 Beats Per Minute

Woman taking the pulse of the horse by measuring the mandibular artery, which runs under the horse's jaw

A common way to take a horse's pulse is by placing your fingers on the mandibular artery, which runs under the horse's jaw. Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to determine beats per minute.

Your horse's pulse is the number of heartbeats they have in a minute. When you listen through a stethoscope, you should hear the classic "lub-dub" sound which indicates blood being pumped through the top half of the heart (lub) and then being pumped through the bottom of the heart (dub). A horse's heart pumps blood to every inch of their body and is responsible for keeping muscles in work mode, but it also allows them to come back to their resting position. During exercise, their heart rate elevates and then returns to their normal resting rate when cooled down. Due to this, you will want to take your baseline measurements when your horse is fully at rest to get an accurate reading.

In times of stress, a horse's heart rate can increase and fluctuate simply because they are stimulated by their surroundings. More nervous horses might always have a higher heart rate than quiet, mellow horses, which is fine. However, knowing what rate is "normal" for each individual will determine when there is a problem. To take the pulse measurement you will need:

Clock, timer, or watch
Stethoscope or fingers ready to read a pulse
Barn buddy or cross ties
Something to record the data (optional)

First, secure your horse either with a barn buddy or tie them up so that they aren't moving around while you collect your data. Then decide where on the horse's body you want to take their pulse. The three options are the mandibular artery, which is under the jaw, the digital artery, which is on the outside of the fetlock, and the transverse artery, which is just to the side of the eye. All three areas will allow you to read the horse's pulse, but one area might be easier than another depending on how prominent the pulse is. To measure the pulse, take your pointer and middle finger and press the artery up against the bone. You should feel the blood traveling through in a pumping rhythm. Each pump is a heartbeat!

Once you have a confident feel, start counting how many pumps you feel within a 15- or 30-second period. If you count for 15 seconds, multiply your result by 4 to get your beats per minute. Likewise, if you count for 30 seconds, you will need to multiply by 2 to get a full minute's worth. If you choose to use a stethoscope, place it near the armpit and listen for a heartbeat. Once you find it, follow the same counting rules as previously stated.

Pro Tip! Based on the temperament of your horse, you may opt for a shorter or longer collection time. For example, if you have a nervous horse, counting for 15 seconds may be easier so they don't have to stand still for very long. If you have a steady eddy, you could count their pulse for a full minute and leave the math out!

An example of taking a pulse by the digital artery.

An example of taking a pulse by the transverse artery.

R is for Respiration

Average Range: 10-24 Breaths Per Minute

This image shows the areas we use to measure a horse's respiration rate. You can look at the nose or flank or listen to the trachea with a stethoscope.

It goes without saying that horses need to breathe. But how much should they be breathing? Similar to humans, long, deep breaths are effective at delivering oxygen, while quick, short breaths are less efficient. But this brings up the question of how short is too short, and how long is too long. While there isn't such a thing as too long of a breath, horses can hold their breath and then take short, shallow breaths to compensate for the immediate need for air. Fit and mellow horses take longer, deeper breaths, so their respiration rates are lower. Horses who are out of shape or are naturally more anxious may take shorter, shallower breaths and have higher respiration rates. The normal range is 10-24 breaths per minute. Depending on your horse's circumstances, they may be at either end of this range. To take the respiration rate measurement you will need:

Clock, timer, or watch
Stethoscope (optional)
Barn buddy or cross ties
Something to record the data (optional)

Pro Tip! While you are taking your measurements, make sure not to put anything close to your horse's nose while you count. They might try to smell whatever is near, which will speed up their respiration at that moment. Since the goal is to get an average reading, you don't want any interfering factors.

To measure your horse's respiration rate, you can either watch their nose or their flank, or hold a stethoscope to their trachea (throat) and listen. Whether you are listening or watching, you are counting how many full breaths they take. If you start on an inhale, then count every inhale; if you start on an exhale, then count every exhale. Once you have chosen your method, count how many breaths they take in a 15-second, 30-second, or 1-minute period. If you do 15 seconds, you then need to multiply by 4 to get your breaths per minute. If you use 30 seconds, you need to multiply by 2 to get a full minute's worth.

Other Health Indicators

Other helpful health indicators include:

Gum Color: Should be a strong, moist pink color.
Capillary Refill Time: This is found by pressing your thumb into their gums and counting how long it takes for the color to return. For healthy horses, it should be around 2 seconds.
Gut Sounds: There should be a consistent roar with little silent time.
Skin Reflexivity: When pinched, the skin should return to its original state within a few seconds.
Poop Consistency: If the consistency is looser or dryer than normal, something may be awry!

Knowing the norm for your horse can help you to identify potential problems or help others to identify when you're not around.

Capillary refill time is tested by pressing on the horse's gums. For healthy horses, the gums should return to their normal pink color within 2 seconds.

An example of how to test skin reflexivity. Healthy, hydrated horses should have their skin return to normal within a few seconds.

Closing Thoughts

A little basic veterinary knowledge can make the difference between horse ownership and true horsemanship. Understanding how your horse's body works can not only save you in times of emergency but also help you connect with your horse and anticipate their needs.

We hope that this guide gave you a better understanding of how and why it is important to take your horse's TPR and other health indicators. Be sure to check out our full selection of first -aid materials so you can be prepared for anything! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our friendly customer service team by calling 1-800-620-9145 or by emailing us at info@ridingwarehouse.com. Ride on!