Q: How do I find the digital pulse?
Quite a number of people have asked me how they find the digital pulse - it's easy with a little bit of practice. It's really important to be able to do this so you can identify when the circulation to the foot is affected by sprains, laminitis, bruises, abscesses and so on.
Finding the digital pulse.
The digital arteries run down each side of the leg, in the groove between the suspensory ligament and the flexor tendons (toward the back of the leg). They are easiest to feel as they run beside the sesamoid bones, toward the back of the fetlock. (It is a little difficult to feel a pulse unless the artery can be pressed against a bony surface.)
To locate the arteries, cup the back of the fetlock, placing the thumb on one side and the first two fingers on the other. Slowly move the fingers and thumb toward the back of the fetlock, pressing lightly until the pulses are felt.
These arteries are quite small in diameter (about 1/8 inch, or 3 mm), and too much pressure blocks them, making it impossible to feel a pulse. However, too little pressure makes it difficult to find the arteries, so the pressure should begin lightly, and gradually increase until the pulse is felt. As a guide, it takes about the same amount of finger pressure as that needed to feel a pulse at a person's wrist.
You cannot feel a pulse with you thumb - your own pulse gets in the way - use your index and middle fingers.
Also a horse's resting heart rate is much lower than ours - so be patient - it will be along in a few seconds!
Practice being able to find the digital pulse - so that you can check it regularly.