Hi. I'm new here and am in need of a bit of advise. One of my friend's broodmares has an elevated resting heart rate. All other vitals are ok and she is eating. She is a draft so her rate should be approx 25-30 bpm and hers is up to 64 bpm. She is a bit thin from her foal, but we have her on free choice hay. She does have normal gut sounds. I have checked her heart rate 5 times today and they have all been the same. What could be causing her elevated heart rate and is there anything else I should check? Her owner is away until at least Saturday and maybe as long as till Monday. Thanks in advance for any information.

T

 Hi T, and welcome!

I would say she's having some type of discomfort or pain.  Does she seem ouchy anywhere - feet, legs?

Just as a reference, I had the vet out yesterday to check my gelding that seemed stiff and sore.  I had already taken his heartrate and it, too, was 64.  It turns out that he's starting to founder.  I'm not saying that this mare is foundering, but that she is having some distress.  

Can you talk to a vet or have one come look at her, just to be safe? 

Hi. Thanks for the response. Last week she was "off" on one of her forelegs. Doesn't seem to be any more, but maybe. I have given her banamine, but it had little effect on her heartrate. This morning, her heartrate is down a little, so keeping my fingers crossed. We did draw her blood yesterday and should have the results back by noon (2 hours from now). If it shows anything unusual, our vet is in the clinic today, so we will try and get her in. Her owner will be home on Monday, so if there's not enough improvement, he will be able to help her out. So far, so good on everything else. She's eating and drinking, temp is normal and belly sounds good. I'm gonna try and take some time to get a really good look at her feet and legs today.

T

 Well?  And?  So?  Everything okay?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Sorry for not updating sooner. Her heart rate is slowly coming down and she seems to be more of her normal self. Bloodwork came back good except she is anemic. Started her on red cell for the anemia and we have upped her grain a little and started giving her alfalfa in addition to her other hay. Her owner came home this morning, so I'm a bit more relieved that I'm not here alone with a potentially sick horse. So far, so good. She's doing good enough that we have put her back out with the other broodmare.

Thanks for the thoughts. It's always a relief to have somewhere to go when help is needed.

T

Oh, that's great news!!  Glad to hear it.  And, I'm sure it's a big relief to you to have the owner back in town to make any decisions.  Whew!

Glad to know everything worked out.