If one of your horses or dogs seems unwell, it’s a good idea to observe and examine them carefully before calling the vet. A clear description of the signs you’ve noticed will help with diagnosis and save time.

Start with quiet observation

Don’t rush in. Stand back for a few minutes and watch the animal carefully. Look for:

• Changes in posture or movement

• Limping or reluctance to move

• Abnormal stance when urinating or defaecating

• Excessive salivation or difficulty eating

• Discharges, unusual odours, or swelling

Be aware that even normally gentle animals may behave unpredictably when they are in pain. Take care, and handle with caution.

Build experience on healthy animals

It’s worth practising your observation and handling skills on calm, healthy animals first. This will help you recognise what is normal, so you can spot the signs when something is wrong.

Only a veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis. Your role is to notice what has changed and pass that information on.

Key areas to check

Body condition and symmetry

Look along both sides of the animal for anything unusual. Run your hands gently over the body to check for swelling, heat, or pain responses. Feel the joints, check under the tail for signs of diarrhoea, and take note of any unusual smells (for example, bad breath or foot infections).

If you suspect lameness, ask the animal to walk forward and in a circle. Uneven gait or limping should be investigated further. For dogs, examine the paws and between the toes. For horses, check the hooves.

If you need help identifying and managing common hoof problems, our Feet and Foot Problems course covers all major species.

The cardinal signs: temperature, pulse, and respiration

These three measurements are useful indicators of general health, though they are affected by stress, pain, and handling.

Body temperature

Use a digital or mercury thermometer. Insert gently into the rectum (up to 2 cm for dogs, two-thirds of the length for horses), and hold in place until the reading is complete.

Normal rectal temperature:

• Horse: 37.3 to 38°C

• Dog: 38.6 to 40°C

High temperature may suggest fever, infection, or inflammation. Low temperature can indicate shock, cold exposure, or severe illness.

Pulse or heart rate

Use a stethoscope or your fingers to detect the heartbeat. In dogs, try the femoral artery inside the hind leg. In horses, use the facial artery along the lower jaw or listen directly to the chest wall.

Count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by four.

Normal heart rate (beats per minute):

• Horse: 28 to 40

• Dog: 60 to 120

A fast pulse can result from fear, pain, or fever. A slow pulse may be normal in fit animals, or it could indicate sedation, poisoning, or shock.

Respiration rate

Count breaths by watching the chest rise and fall for 15 seconds, then multiply by four. If chest movement is hard to see, hold a tissue near the nose or nostrils to detect airflow.

Normal breathing rate (breaths per minute):

• Horse: 8 to 16

• Dog: 10 to 30

Watch for abnormal breathing behaviours such as:

• Laboured or shallow breaths

• Grunting, sneezing, or coughing

• Extended neck or rigid posture

• Abdominal effort or visible distress

Dogs can breathe through their mouths if needed. Horses cannot. Abdominal breathing in horses may indicate rib pain or chest inflammation.

Mucous membranes and hydration

Mucous membrane colour

Check the gums or the inside of the eyelid. Normal colour is pale pink or salmon.

• Pale: possible anaemia

• Blue: lack of oxygen (heart or lung problem)

• Yellow: possible liver disease

• Dark pink: may indicate toxins in the blood

Compare with a healthy animal if unsure.

Skin pinch test

To check for dehydration, gently pinch the skin on the neck or shoulder. It should flatten quickly. If the skin remains tented, dehydration is likely. The longer the delay, the more severe the dehydration.

Recognising pain in animals

Pain is difficult to measure directly. Some indicators can suggest discomfort, but they are not always specific.

Common signs of pain

• Reluctance to eat or move

• Dullness or unusual agitation

• Groaning or grunting

• Increased heart and breathing rates

• Limping, stiffness, or guarding an area

• Change in personality or behaviour

• Restlessness or withdrawal

Pain signs in horses

• Sweating

• Teeth grinding

• Looking at the flank

• Kicking at belly or affected area

• Rigid stance or low head

• Absent gut sounds (in cases like colic)

Pain signs in dogs

• Rigid abdomen or hunched back

• Whimpering, growling, or snappiness

• Attempting to lick or guard the painful area

• Arched back, reluctance to lie down

When to call the vet

If you see any of the signs described above, especially if they are sudden or severe, contact your vet. Describe what you’ve observed in as much detail as possible.

For more foundational advice on livestock and companion animal care, consider our What You Need to Know to Keep Livestock course.