All God's Creatures

If you own a horse (or any other pet, for that matter), it is vital that you know how to read their vital signs.  It is also good to know what these readings should be when the horse is healthy and at rest.

Generally speaking, normal ranges are ...

- Temperature:  99 - 101 degrees
- Pulse / Heart Rate:  28 - 44 beats per minute
- Respiration Rate: 12 - 15 breaths per minute
- Capillary Refill Time:  2 seconds or less & pink


Above is a great video with Dr. Roberta Dwyer, from the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center, showing how to take your horse's temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and how to check his hydration status and mucous membranes.

Lastly, although not covered in the video, you should always check your horse's gut sounds. Normal gut sounds vary widely, but should always be present. Faint, infrequent, or absent gut sounds usually indicate colic and your veterinarian should be called.


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Like many folks,  we LOVE games and puzzles!  We also enjoy relaxing on Sundays. Put the two together, and here is a relaxing Sunday puzzle for you to enjoy!  
 
By-the-way, we finished in 11:39 ... how did you do?


Tip: While solving this puzzle, click the button in the lower-right corner to go full-screen.


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Late-night TV host and comedian, Conan O'Brien, took over the race calling duties from Trevor Denman last month at Santa Anita  ... hilarious!


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Veterans Day is the day we celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans who have served our country. So when we remember and honor the men and women of our Armed Forces, we must also remember "Man's Best Friend", who has served our nation with distinction. Many of our service men and women owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these animals. These dogs are trained to serve our country and mankind ... and they perform like heroes.

So this Veterans Day, when we say THANK YOU to all of those who are serving, or have served, our country and protected our freedoms, don't forget to think of our Military Canines! ♥