Equine: Restraint, PE, Behavior

Lead shank with a nose chain

An appropriate method to lead horses that are fractious

Lip chain

A method to restrain young race horses or stallions. It is placed under the lip and applies steady pressure.

Equine stocks

Used to safely restrain horses for veterinary care, grooming, and other procedures. They are a common tool in veterinary clinics and on farms and ranches.

Portable stocks

Can be moved to different locations and have side rails that can be flipped up or lowered

Standard stocks

Have floor anchor bars mounted to the front and rear legs

Custom stocks

Can be designed for specific needs

Hobbles

Rarely used since being replaced by chemical restraint. However, breeding ones are still used commonly and effectively prevent the mare from kicking. They are fitted around the hocks with web or leather straps and then tied to a neck strap or rope after being passed between the forelegs.

Twitch

A device used to restrain horses for veterinary care, medical procedures, or farrier work. They are often used instead of tranquilizers.

Chain twitch

A long instrument with a chain made from surgical grade stainless steel

Rope twitch

A twitch with a rope end that grips the horse

Humane twitch

A plier-like clamp that squeezes the horse's lip

Ear twitch

A physical restraint used on horses that can be stressful and damaging. It's generally recommended to avoid this

Equine shoulder twitch

A technique that involves grasping a fold of skin in front of a horse's shoulder and squeezing it. This technique can be used to distract a horse while a procedure is performed

Tranquilizers

Also known as sedatives, these drugs produce sedation without drowsiness. Acetylpromazine is a common one

Sedative-hypnotics

These drugs can produce deep central nervous system (CNS) depression. Xylazine and detomidine are examples of them

Opiates

These drugs produce mild sedation and analgesia, which can calm a horse in pain. Morphine and butorphanol are examples of these

99-101.5

Body temperature: _____ F

32-40

Heart rate: _____ bpm

12-40

Respiratory rate: _____ bpm

Strong, synchronous with heart

Peripheral pulses

2

Capillary refill time: <___ seconds

Pink, moist

Mucous membranes

Auscultation of the heart

Primarily on the left side, behind the elbow of the horse

Maxillary artery

Under the jawbone

Radial artery

On the inside of the knee

Digital artery

Just below the fetlock

Bubbling sounds

If you hear lung noises similar to someone blowing through a straw stuck in a milkshake, the lungs contain excess fluid

Squeaking sounds

A high-pitched squeak, usually at the end of inhalation, can indicate an airway obstruction due to inflammation or a physical blockage.

Wheezing

Vibration of constricted airway walls, or walls that contain intraluminal masses. Secretions may narrow the airway lumen, and induce turbulent flow and vibrant musical sounds.

Increased inspiratory sounds

Extrathoracic or large airway obstruction

Increased expiratory sounds

Partial collapse of intrathoracic airways

Pale pink MM

This suggests shock or an infection like biliary

Red MM

This suggests toxicity

Blue/purple MM

These indicate low oxygen levels

Yellow MM

This suggests issues with the liver

Red streak or red spots on MM

These suggest serious infections

1-Poor BSC

Horse is extremely emaciated. Spinous processes, ribs, tail head, hooks, and pins project prominently. Bone structure of withers, shoulders, and neck easily noticeable. No fatty tissue can be felt

2-Very thin BSC

Emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of the spinous processes, transverse processes of lumbar (loin area) vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes, ribs, tail head, hooks, and pins are prominent. Withers, shoulders, and neck structures are faintly discernible

3-Thin BSC

Fat is built up about halfway on spinous processes, transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs are easily discernible. Tail head is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Pin bones are not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders and neck are accentuated

4-Moderately thin BSC

Negative crease along back (spinous processes of vertebrae protrude slightly above surrounding tissue). Faint outline of ribs is discernible. Fat can be felt around the tail head; however, the tail head may or may not be visible depending on the breed. Hook bones are not discernible. Withers, shoulders and neck are not obviously thin.

5-Moderate BSC

Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around tail head begins to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body

6-Moderately fleshy BSC

May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tail head feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind shoulders and along neck

7-Fleshy BSC

May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling of fat between ribs. Fat around tail head is soft. Fat is deposited along withers, behind shoulders and along neck.

8-Fat BSC

Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tail head is very soft. Area along withers is filled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled with fat and flush with rest of the body. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat is deposited along inner thighs.

9-Extremely fat

Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around tail head, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Fat along inner thighs may rub together. Flank is filled with fat and flush with rest of the body.

Ears back

Angry or aggressive and may be planning to bite or attack.

Ears forward

Attentive is listening

Ears tipped forward and stiff

Scared or interested in something

Pawing

Common vice in horses that can be a sign of boredom, stress, discomfort, frustration, impatience, or waiting for food

One front leg lifted

Can be a mild threat, or a normal stance when eating

A back leg lifted

Often a more defensive threat

Stamping

Indicates a mild threat or protest, or they may be getting rid of insects or flies biting their leg

Swishing tail

Can indicate annoyance or agitation

Tucked tail

Suggests fear or submission

Raised tail

Could signify excitement or alertness

Rapid swishing tail

A sign of anger and frustration and a precursor to bucking or kicking

Equine vices

Stereotypic behaviors. Repetitive behaviors that seem to have no purpose. They can be caused by a lack of social contact, turnout, or foraging opportunities

Cribbing

A repetitive behavior where the horse places its upper teeth against a flat surface, arches its neck, and pulls backward with its body while grunting

Weaving

Side-to-side movement of the horse's neck and weight, which sometimes occurs with lifting and lowering of the feet