What is a Horse Health Check and Why You Should Do One
Keeping your horse healthy is essential to their happiness, performance, and longevity, but it could also save you vet bills in the future. A healthy horse is a happy horse, and one of the most critical steps in proper equine care is scheduling an annual health check. Whether you’re a new horse owner or a seasoned equestrian, understanding the importance of a thorough veterinary check can help prevent health issues and save money and heartache in the long run.
What is a Horse Health Check?
A horse health check, also known as an equine wellness exam, is a careful assessment conducted by a qualified equine vet on an individual horse. This veterinary assessment includes a physical inspection and sometimes diagnostic testing to assess your horse’s physical condition. The health check usually takes place at your yard, which is the ideal location as your horse will be in a familiar environment and feel relaxed.
Most veterinary surgeons offer a cost-effective health plan which typically embraces preventive health treatments alongside annual treatments, such as faecal worm egg counts and an annual worm risk assessment. These health plans usually cover annual vaccinations such as tetanus vaccinations and flu jabs, and may also give you a discount on vet visits, veterinary care or adding an additional horse. Other treatments aside from the annual flu-tetanus vaccination, such as blood tests, will not come under your horse health programme and generally will come under additional charges, but you will have annual savings on additional treatments with discounts on their average prices.
During a routine health plan check, a vet will typically run a physical exam of the horse to assess their current health status and normal values and discuss any health concerns you may have. The basic health checks are:
- Vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate
- Check of eyes, ears, and teeth and any clinical signs to note
- Skin and coat condition
- Hooves and legs
- An accurate assessment of body condition score and weight
The vet will evaluate their current health status and may also discuss diet, exercise, and preventive care routines in a basic horse health check.
Why it matters: Early detection of issues like lameness, dental diseases, or nutritional deficiencies can be picked up, and vital signs can save you stress, time, and costly treatments down the road. Your vet fee insurance will cover any signs of illness or injuries noted.
Why Your Own Regular Health Checks Are Essential for Your Horse
Many horse owners only call the vet when something goes wrong and the horse requires veterinary treatment. So, alongside your veterinary assessment, a conscious owner should undertake regular health checks themselves. These basic health checks are key to long-term wellness and performance. Horses are adept at hiding discomfort, meaning issues can often go unnoticed until they become severe.
Basic horse health checks should include knowing how to use and read a digital thermometer to check your horse’s temperature. Your daily health check should consist of looking for any digital pulses in your horse’s feet and checking their droppings and digestive health.
Knowing what is normal in your healthy horse is essential to help flag any underlying health issues early. What is a normal temperature for your horse? How much water intake is normal for your horse? Do they have a dull coat or coat loss when it used to shine? Are there any signs of diarrhoea, or are their droppings normal? Does your horse have bad breath or is struggling to eat? These basic health indicators and spotting subtle signs can indicate the early signs of illness, so you must keep an eye on your adult horse and ensure regular checks are part of your checks on a daily basis under a preventive healthcare plan to assess their current health status.
Regular body condition scoring can help keep your horse healthy and prevent weight-related issues such as laminitis, painful hoof conditions, and other metabolic issues.
Preventive Care Saves Money
Catching a minor issue early on can save you and your horse heartache in the future. Check for increased digital pulses. Pulse strength, such as a stronger pulse, could indicate laminitis or the start of painful hoof conditions, such as developing hoof abscesses. Hoof abscesses can be crippling for a horse but caught early with treatment can help them resolve more quickly. Note if there are also any differences in hoof temperature. Checking your horse over for signs of injury should be part of your daily horse health checks.
Watch for signs of heat, lumps, and bumps on the legs and foreign objects in their frogs. You know your horse better than anyone, so spotting your horse with signs of disease and discomfort and early identification of health problems is part of your basic care. Check your horse for signs of injury or discomfort and always contact your veterinarian for emergency assistance. Abdominal pain, such as signs of colic, requires an immediate veterinary assessment.
Regular dental checks and oral examinations, once or twice a year, for optimum dental health, can highlight a dental imbalance, such as a decaying or chipped tooth. Regular dental examinations and professional dental care can also highlight any brewing dental issues and allow for preventative care and dental procedures before the horse starts to show subtle signs of discomfort. Remember, it is usually far less expensive to treat than to wait until it turns into an emergency.
Performance and Behaviour Benefits
Ignoring health problems often manifests in behaviour changes or poor performance. A horse that suddenly refuses to be saddled or misbehaves may be a pain response or discomfort. Keeping your horse healthy and happy go hand in hand, and a sick horse is an unhappy horse. If you are undertaking daily health checks, you should spot any issues before they become behavioural issues.
If your horse is trying to bite you when you are grooming or ‘girthiness‘ when tacking up, this could indicate abdominal pain, such as symptoms of ulcers or digestive issues.
When Should You Schedule a Horse Health Check?
Most equine veterinarians recommend a comprehensive wellness check at least once a year, though older horses or those in regular competition may benefit from more frequent exams.
You should also schedule a basic health check:
- Before buying or selling a horse (pre-purchase examination)
- At the start of a new training program
- After a major illness or injury
- If you notice changes in appetite, behaviour, or movement
Regular checks help you maintain a consistent horse care routine and ensure your horse is ready for riding, training, or showing.
Invest in Your Horse’s Health
A horse health check isn’t just for sick horses – it’s a proactive step in responsible horse ownership. Regular veterinary checks with careful assessment can pick up cardiac issues and irregularities in a heart rate check that you wouldn’t do as a horse owner, and daily health checks are a cornerstone of effective horse care and help build a strong partnership between you and your equine companion.
Whether caring for a seasoned show horse or a beloved family pony, making basic health checks part of your routine ensures a longer, happier life for your horse.