Horses Health Cards N°11. Physiology of the horse

1 YEAR OF THE LIFE OF A HORSE = 5 YEARS OF A MAN'S LIFE A HORSE'S LIFE IS 25 YEARS.

The weight

The weight of the horses is very variable since there are small and small (Arab) breeds and so-called heavy breeds (draft horses). Moreover, an individual does not have a balance adapted to the size of his mount. An estimate of the weight is nevertheless necessary to adapt the feed of the horse to his needs and for the administration of many treatments. This estimate is made according to two standard calculations: Live weight = (4.3 x thoracic perimeter) + (2.6 x height at the withers) - 785 or Weight = (chest perimeter) 2 x breast-hip length) / 8700


Temperature

The normal rectal temperature of a horse ranges between 37.5 ° C for a standard, 37.8 ° C for a mare and 38.5 ° C for a foal. There may be so-called physiological variations (usually +/- 0.5 ° C) in case of stress, stress ...


Heart rate

At rest, a horse has an average heart rate of 32-44 beats per minute for an adult and 50 to 70 for a foal. It is an average which can vary according to the horse (size, character ...) and according to external factors (stress, efforts ...).


The respiratory rate

At rest, a horse has an average respiratory rate of 8 to 14 respiratory movements per minute. Again, there may be variations.


The urines

A horse urinates on average 3 to 18 ml per kg of body weight and per day in 6 to 8 times. Variations are influenced by animal size and climatic conditions.

 

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