266 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



give the number of its beats in a minute, without its 

 condition. 



In a healthy state, the pulsations in the heart of a 

 farmer's horse range from thirty-five to thirty-seven in a 

 minute ; m the thorough-bred horse from forty to forty-two. 

 These are considered the standard healthy pulses ; but even 

 in health these are subject to some variation either above 

 or below these numbers of beats. It must be understood 

 that this is the condition of the pulse when the animal is at 

 rest, or at least when he is not in the act of using exertion ; 

 because, even in pulling a heavy load or during trotting, 

 and for a short time after both of these, the pulse will l>e 

 higher, according to the degree of exertion to which the 

 horse has been subjected. Besides, exercise, a warm stable, 

 and fear will materially augment the action of the heart. 



When the animal is at rest, and the pulse reaches fifty 

 or fifty-five beats in a minute, then it may be suspected 

 that there is a degree of fever, and its case must be 

 investigated. When it is from seventy to seventy-five, a 

 high state of fever will be the consequence, and active 

 means must be resorted to. If the pulse should get so high 

 as one hundred to one hundred and five, the malady induc- 

 ing this will be of such a severe kind as to preclude the 

 hope of recovery ; and unless it can be speedily reduced, 

 the vital energies must soon be exhausted. 



When horses are labouring under disease, it is necessary 

 to approach them with caution, because either abruptness 

 or speaking harshly to them will have a tendency to raise 

 the pulse ten or fifteen degrees. The animal should be 

 patted and spoken to gently, and the pulse felt a second 

 time before its real state can be determined. Tlie condi- 

 tions of the pulse may be arranged under the following 

 heads : — 



