Lab #6 - Equine Management & Milk Quality

Normal Vital signs of adult horses

• respiratory rate: 10-24 breaths per minute

• heart rate: 24-44 beats per minute

• mucous membrane color: pink

• Capillary Refil time: <2 seconds

• Temperature: 99-101

What is the significance of a bounding digital pulse?

Could indicate signs of laminitis, inflammation, infection or abscess in the hoof

what are 4 factors that may increase a horse’s temperature, pulse, and/or respiratory rate

1. stress

2. activity level

3. illness/disease

4. age → younger horses will have higher temperatures

5. pain

What are the six areas you should evaluate when assigning a body condition score to a horse?

1. loin/back

2. ribs

3. tailhead

4. withers

5. neck

6. shoulders

what is the definition & purpose of the passive stay apparatus and reciprocal mechanism?

Composed of ligaments, tendons, & muscles that allow a horse to sleep standing with 3 legs straight & 1 hind leg relaxed without using much energy or muscle activity. Allow horses to get away quickly from predators without using lots of energy.

What is clinical mastitis

Visible infection/inflammation of the mammory gland or milk

What is subclinical mastitis

infection/inflammation of the mammory gland but it is not visible

Milk culture (identify clinical, subclinical or both)

both

California Mastitis Test

Both

Palpation/Observation of the mammory gland

Clinical Mastitis

Observation of the milk

Clinical Mastitis

How is clinical mastitis usually treated on dairy farms?

Intramammory antibiotics

What is the role of a farrier for horses?

Specialist in horse hoof care/management

How often should an average horse’s hooves be evaluated and/or trimmed

Every 6 to 8 weeks - depends of individual horse & weather, hooves grow faster in the spring

What is the rate of hood growth?

¼ to ½ inch per month

list 3 different reasons for shoeing a horse?

1. protection from rocks/gravel

2. therapy/treatment

3. traction on ice