All year
Normal horse temperature and when to call the vet
Call your vet immediately for suspected colic, breathing difficulty, severe pain or rapid deterioration. Do not wait to take a temperature or complete a checklist. Report what you know; measure only if it is safe.
Resting reference values
| Measurement | Adult horse | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | About 37.2–38.3 °C (99–101 °F) | Compare with this horse’s usual value |
| Pulse | 28–48 beats per minute | Exercise, stress and age affect measurements |
| Respiration | About 8–14 breaths per minute | Breathing difficulty needs immediate advice |
Source: Rutgers, Measuring TPR. Other references use slightly different ranges. A sick horse can have values in range; discuss changes and signs with your vet.
What to report on the call
- Location, callback number and which horse.
- What you see, when it began and whether it is changing.
- Eating, drinking and droppings, where known.
- Measurements and time, only if safely obtained.
- Recent feed changes, medication and actions already taken.
Practise measuring on a quiet day
Ask your vet to show you how to measure temperature, pulse and breathing. Follow the thermometer instructions and record the circumstances. Leave unsafe measurements to your vet. A missing reading is never a reason to delay calling.
Halster doesn’t diagnose. If you’re unsure about your horse’s health, call your vet.
In Halster
Keep a record after calling the vet
Once help is arranged, note the reading, units, time and veterinary instructions for your horse in Halster.
Install the test version through TestFlight.
Read next
Sources
- Rutgers: Measuring Temperature, Pulse & Respiration (2026-10-11)
- British Horse Society: Colic in horses (2026-10-11)