The normal heart rate AT REST for your pony is 28-44 beats per minute. Just as with the human heart, this rate will increase during exercise.
A vet uses a stethoscope just behind the girth area to listen to the heart rate, and you can train yourself to do this. However, an easier option is to find the pulse with your fingers under your pony’s jaw where the artery crosses the bone. If you feel around enough in this area, you will find it!
It is well worth knowing your pony’s resting pulse rate so that you can know when it is raised. A raised heart rate at any point outside of exercise can indicate pain or illness.
Another very useful piece of information to have is how quickly your pony’s heart rate returns to normal after exercise. This can help you to know just how fit your pony is. The faster your pony’s heart rate returns to normal after exercise, the fitter he is.
