The Handy Horse-book / or Practical Instructions in Driving, Riding, and the General Care and Management of Horses. 4th ed.

by Maurice Hartland Mahon

THE PULSE

is easily found by placing the two forefingers under the middle of the horse’s jowl or cheek-bone. The novice can feel about here till he discovers pulsation, and having once made himself acquainted with its seat, he will be the better able to judge of a horse when apparently out of sorts.

Inside the forearm, and in other spots, the pulse is equally superficial, but under the edge of the cheek-bone is the most convenient place to find it, or at the temple.

A horse’s pulse in health beats from about 32 to 38 a minute—the smaller the animal the faster the circulation will be.

In brain affections the pulse is slower than natural, it is quickest in inflammation of the serous and fibrous membranes—much slower in the mucous ones.