Early detection is essential to treating many diseases and a daily visual exam can be very useful. It is also a way to spot subtle signs of injury such as small swellings or the beginning of hives. Giving a daily exam takes only a few minutes and can be done in the morning while the horse is eating, or in the evening when it is brought in from pasture.
Checking the Horse’s Attitude and Stance
Owners should pay attention to the horse’s behavior at feeding time. When approaching with the food does the horse have his head up and his ears forward? Is he eager for his food? Or is he acting tired and like he doesn’t care? A change in usual behavior can be a sign of illness or possibly colic. If the horse is not eager for his feed he should be given a complete checkup including temperature, gut sounds, pulse, respiration, and whether the horse is dehydrated or not. Feeding time is also a good time to check the horse’s movement to be sure that as he approaches he moves comfortably and soundly, or at least as comfortably and soundly as he normally would.
Checking the Horse’s Legs
Horses’ legs should be examined every day from both sides to note any swelling, wounds or puffiness. This might also entail running the hands down the horse's legs to make sure there are no small bumps, which could indicate a skin disease such as scratches, or swellings in areas that are difficult to spot. Owners should also note if the horse is standing or leaning in an unusual manner for that horse. While most horses will usually cock one hind foot when resting, that could also indicate an injury if unusual for that horse. If the horse is shod this is a good time to be sure that all shoes are still firmly attached to the foot and not at all loose.
Checking the Horse's Appetite
At meal time the horse should have finished all of his food from the previous meal and be anxious to eat again. For a horse that normally finishes his entire portion and then doesn’t it could be a sign of an upset stomach or pain that causes a loss of appetite. It could also be the case that the horse is being fed too much. If there is an excess of food for several days in a row and the possibility of illness can be excluded than the horse's feed ration should probably be reduced or possibly changed to something more appetizing if the horse is a difficult keeper.
Checking Water Consumption
Horses need a lot of water every day and it is important to check that the horse is getting enough. Water buckets and troughs should be checked to make sure that enough water has disappeared since they were last filled. If the horse drinks from automatic waterers owners should check to make sure the horse is not dehydrated if he is not acting in a normal manner.
Checking Manure
A horse’s manure should be well formed into medium sized balls and not hard, dry, loose or sloppy. Owners should also be sure that it is not filled with parasites or whole grains, both of which can indicate a serious problem.
