Recognizing a Healthy Horse

Capillary refill, or how quickly the blood flow returns to the tissue, is also assessed when looking at the gums. In a healthy horse, when the gums are pressed and then released, color will return to normal within two seconds. If it takes longer than three seconds for the color to return to normal, there could be a problem, and you should contact a veterinarian.

Behavior and Body Language

Body Posture and Behavior

evenly distributed. When resting, they may change this stance, having one foot propped up on the toe for relaxation. Any changes to these typical body postures may be a sign of discomfort or illness. For example, if a horse is continuously shifting its weight back and forth between limbs, it may be experiencing pain in a limb or in some other part of the body.

Some common postures and behaviors seen when a horse is uncomfortable include:

• Standing "stretched out" on their limbs instead of square (front legs far forward and rear legs far behind)
• Leaning back on their hind limbs (looking like they are sitting back)
• Continuously shifting weight back and forth from one limb to another
• Refusing to bear weight on a limb
• Not wanting to stand up when lying down
• Continuously pawing or stomping
• Repeatedly laying down and getting back up
• Biting and/or kicking at their stomach
• Rolling without shaking
• Lacking body coordination
• Pacing or continually walking in circles

If your horse seems restless, uncomfortable, or in pain, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Some environmental issues may be contributing to these behaviors as well, such as bothersome flies, isolation, etc., so keep environmental factors in mind when making assessments.

Attitude and Social Interactions

In general, horses are alert and aware of their environment and what is in it. They are curious by nature and pay attention to what is around them to ensure safety. This is because they are prey animals and have evolved to be aware of potential threats from predators. Healthy horses' eyes are clear and bright, and their ears regularly move to hear what is happening around them. Depressed, seemingly drowsy, or unaware horses may not be feeling well. Their eyes may be dull, cloudy, or dreary, and their ears might not move much or perk upright. They may flop to either side ("airplane ears"). Any puffiness or drainage around a horse's eye is not normal and could be a sign that the eye has been irritated. Similarly, drainage from the nostrils is abnormal. Horses with runny noses and/or a cough may have a respiratory issue and your veterinarian should be contacted.

Horses are social animals and enjoy being with others in the herd (Figure 2). They are most comfortable when other horses are around and within eyesight. Sometimes they will find a buddy or friend that they prefer to hang around more than the others, but generally they still like to remain where the larger group is easily seen. Any isolation behavior is abnormal.