Temperature, pulse and respiration

TPR refers to your pony’s temperature, pulse and respiration rates – these are three super-important clues to how healthy he is and how he’s feeling at the moment. They might sound like things only your vet needs to worry about, but being able to check them yourself will help you spot more quickly if your pony’s ill.

Temperature

Your pony’s temperature should be 37.2–38.3°C. If it’s higher, he could have an infection, so call your vet to check him out. 

To check his temperature, you’ll need to insert a thermometer into his rectum, using a bit of petroleum jelly to lubricate it first. Make sure you stand next to him, rather than directly behind, just in case he gets upset and kicks out. 

TOP TIP

Check each rate regularly and at different times of day so you can find out what’s normal for him. Why not write it in a diary to keep track?

Pulse

Ponies have a resting heart rate of 28–44 beats per minute (BPM) – if it’s higher than that and he’s not working, he could be in pain, frightened or poorly.

There are a couple of ways to check your pony’s heart rate. First, you can feel for his pulse under his jaw – feel for the thick artery that runs along it. It can be tricky, so ask your yard manager to help you if you’re struggling. However, if you have a stethoscope, place it on your pony’s ribs just behind his left elbow. 

In both cases, count how many beats you hear in 30 seconds, then double the number to find out the beats per minute.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fitter ponies have a lower resting heart rate because each heartbeat pumps more blood, so his heart doesn’t need to work as hard.

Respiration

If your pony’s breathing is laboured or really heavy and he’s not been exercising, he could be in pain or struggling to breathe. He should take 10–20 breaths per minute while he’s resting. 

To find out his respiration rate, watch his ribcage rise and fall for 30 seconds, counting how many breaths he takes. As before, you can then double the number to find out how many breaths he takes per minute. You could also feel for each breath by holding your hand above his nostrils.