Vital knowledge — Respiration Rate and Capillary Refill Time

Learn how to evaluate your Appaloosa’s respiratory and capillary refill rates.

In the past few months, you’ve learned how to take your Appaloosa’s pulse rate and temperature. Now, learn how to take his respiratory and capillary refill rates.

Respiratory Rate

Your horse should take 8 – 20 breaths per minute. This rate will increase during or immediately after exercising or when your horse is under stress. Environmental heat and humidity can also increase respiration rate.

To take your Appaloosa’s respiration rate, monitor his breaths by watching his nostrils or putting your hand on his ribcage. Count the number of breaths in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four to get breaths per minute. Each breath should be steady, regular and include equal inhalation and exhalation time. Your horse’s respiration rate should never be higher than his pulse rate.

Capillary Refill Time

Capillary refill time (CRT) is the amount of time it takes for blood to return to the blanched tissue of the gum and indicates how well your horse’s blood is circulating. A CRT of more than 2 seconds may indicate your horse is in a physical state of shock.

To take your horse’s CRT, lift his upper lip, press your thumb against his gum and hold for two seconds. After lifting your thumb, you should see a white print in the gum. This spot should return to pink in 1 – 2 seconds.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ANDERSON

Printed in the July 2005 issue of Appaloosa Journal.

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