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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » References » Equine Vital Signs and Laboratory Values »
  Discussion on Question on Pony vs Horse Vital Signs?
Author Message
New Member:
jessicaw

Posted on Saturday, May 8, 2010 - 1:28 am:

I am new, and this is kind of a silly question. Do ponies normally have a higher heart and or respiratory rate than full size horses? First time pony owner,I have a 22 yr old 11.2 hand welsh pony, and I've been monitoring my horses vitals(another topic) and her resting heart rate has been in the low 50's. 52 this evening. She also suffers from mild heaves, and thus her respiratory rate is sometimes elevated if she is wheezy. Is this just her normal or do all ponies have higher rates? I know foals and younger horses are higher, didn't know if because ponies are smaller possible? My 2yr old QH colt had a heart rate of 54, but he was also a little excited because it was before feeding time. My 20 yr old Quarter Gelding was at 38. Thanks for any input! Love this site.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 8, 2010 - 10:15 am:

Welcome Jessica and thanks for the kudos,
As horses get smaller both average resting heart rates and average respiratory rates go up. If your pony is healthy right now these are likely normal resting rates for your pony under the conditions you examined him at that time.
DrO
New Member:
jessicaw

Posted on Saturday, May 8, 2010 - 10:49 am:

Thank you, Im hoping she is healthy. Monitoring vitals because of other horse that died of Colitis. She seems fine. I just did not previously have a baseline HR for her and did not know if this was in the normal range for a small pony. Her temps and everything else are normal.
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