PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 139 



fever for horses, brood mares, stallions and colts at all 

 ages. 



Fever can be detected by placing the hands over 

 the nostrils, in the mouth or the rectum, or in the cleft 

 between the hind legs. In fact, the horse will feel un- 

 naturally hot anywhere on the body, but the points 

 mentioned above are the most notable. Sometimes the 

 ears and cannon bones are as hot as the rest of the body. 

 Then, again, they are cold, in which case it is due to 

 irregular circulation. The normal pulse of the horse is 

 38 to 45 times per minute, and can be felt by placing 

 the fingers under the jaw. 



In case of fever the pulse will be increased 60 to 90 

 or even 100. The breathing is increased from 14 to 36 

 or even more, and can be detected by placing the ear 

 back of the foreleg. 



At first the appetite is usually affected. Sometimes 

 a horse may not eat at all. There is a general differ- 

 ence, however, among horses in this respect with the 

 same amount of fever. High-bred horses may not eat 

 at all, while lower-bred horses may eat hay all during 

 the fever. 



The horse will be thirsty, but drink very little at a 

 time. A bucket of water should be kept where the horse 

 can drink whenever he desires. The skin will be dry 



