Physical Examination of the Horse - Aspects of PE - Head & Neck

16 important questions on Physical Examination of the Horse - Aspects of PE - Head & Neck

What is the first step of the horse head and neck exam?

Palpate molars from each side of the head. Lift halter up and palpate from below it.

What is the second step of the horse head and neck exam?

Palpate the mandible for the facial artery, should be hard, firm and rolly

What is the third step of the horse head and neck exam?

Palpate the submandibular lymph nodes, should be the size of edamame and not tender.
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What is the fourth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the eye with a penlight and check for the structures of the eye, pay attention to the corpora nigra

What is the fifth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the eye with a penlight for pupillary light reflex

What is the sixth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check for penlight reflection when the light hits the back of the lens (Purkinje-Sanson images)

What is the seventh step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check for menace response results

What is the eighth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the palpebral reflexes (medial canthus, lateral canthus, base of ear)

What is the ninth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Using your thumb and index finger, open up the eye to see the conjunctiva and the sclera. You can check the 3rd eyelid only when necessary (teary eyed or eyelashes angled differently)

What is the tenth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the mucous membranes with a penlight, look for ulcerations, reddening, discharge, petechial hemorrhages, etc. KEEP HEAD OUT OF THE WAY

What is the eleventh step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the incisors and the mucous membranes at the same time for CRT (less than 2 seconds). Stay in diastema and check for canines.

What is the twelveth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the ear and its inside with a penlight, run hand up neck to ear and do not grab the ear

What is the thirteenth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check the neck and under mane for: lumps/heat/ectoparasites/lesions

What is the fourteenth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check larynx for symmetry of thyroids, then follow along the neck to feel jugular vein for thromboses (lumps), raise the vein and assess filling time

What is the fifteenth step of the horse head and neck exam?

The prescapular lymph node is not usually palpable in the horse, but will be enlarged in diseased horses.

What is the sixteenth step of the horse head and neck exam?

Check sternum for edema

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