Equine Physical Exam

Question 1

Normal body temperature in a horse

Answer 1

99-101

Question 2

Normal Pulse in horse

Answer 2

25-45 bpm

Question 3

Normal respiratory rate in a horse

Answer 3

8-20 rpm

Question 4

Normal gut sounds

Answer 4

Cecum- 2-3/min

Question 5

Lymph nodes palpable in the horse

Answer 5

submandibular

Question 6

How should you and the handler be positioned in the equine exam?

Answer 6

You: Front half of horse face rear end or head, back half to 1/3 facing hind end.
ALWAYS STAND TO THE SIDE AND NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT.
Handler should be on the same side as the person examining.

Question 7

What sinuses do you tap in the equine exam?

Answer 7

Frontal and maxillary (remember that both have a left and right side)

Question 8

What arteries are palpable in the horse on the head

Answer 8

Facial and transverse facial

Question 9

Where do you occlude the jugular vein to assess distention?

Answer 9

Bottom third of the neck

Question 10

Where do you listen for the equine heart?

Answer 10

Find the apex beat where the heart hits the chest wall in the 5th intercostal space. Move dorsally and this is the PMI of the mitral valve, then move one rib forward and slightly dorsally to locate the aortic valve. Finally move one more rib space cranially and slightly ventral to locate the PMI of the pulmonary valve.

Question 11

What is the most common type of physiologic arrhythmia in a horse?

Answer 11

2nd degree mobitz 1

Question 12

If you feel a pulse in the palmar digital artery what is the concern?

Answer 12

Pathology in the foot, you should not be able to feel this pulse in a normal horse