How Do You Check A Horses Digital Pulse?
Checking the digital pulse helps evaluate pain and inflammation in foot and hoof. Finding the pulse at your horse’s foot takes experience and expertise, but most people can learn the basics with some practice. Ask your veterinarian to locate and point out your horse’s digital arteries, which are on the inside and outside of each leg at the level of the fetlock and pastern. Palpate on the inside and outside of each leg, toward the back of the midpastern or fetlock at the level of the sesamoid bones. Note how strong the pulse is. A normal horse should have a pulse that is very slight or difficult to feel. Compare findings among all four feet to judge if one foot in particular is abnormal. Know that if the pulses of more than one foot are increased, it could indicate a systemic and not a localized problem. Contact your veterinarian if you detect a strong digital pulse.
