THE PULSE 237 



minute ; in the thoroughbred horse from forty to forty- 

 five. 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 con- 

 dition 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 be 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 cause 

 must be investigated. When it is from seventy to 

 seventy-five, a high state of fever may be the con- 

 sequence, and active means must be resorted to, but 

 the only reliable test for the existence of fever and its 

 intensity is that indicated by the thermometer. 



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. The conditions of the pulse 

 may be arranged under the following heads : — 



QUICK PULSE. 



This is always an indication that the animal is 

 under some excitement. This will vary in degree 

 according to the force of the exciting cause. The 

 business of the veterinarian is to ascertain and remove 



