Temperature is one of the most significant factors to determine the well-being of your horse, which means that you have to read their temperature often. But how can you know that?
We are glad to show you the best horse thermometer, which is extremely useful for this purpose!
Top 3 Best Horse Thermometer Reviews In 2023
#1. Hurinan Animal Electronic Pet Digital Thermometer
One of the first thermometers we want to address in this article is the Hurinan Animal Electronic Pet Digital Thermometer, which enables you to get the exact rectal temperature faster than other traditional thermometers.
A small probe, which is about 3 inches long, can help you collect the temperature of both big and small animals, such as horses, cats, or dogs.
One of the best advantages of this thermometer is its safety and ease to use. You can now save a lot of money and time on having someone check your horse’s temperature, while clinicians and patients also suffer from less stress.
In terms of the temperature displayed, you can switch between C and F. The LCD is 4-bit, allowing you to read the temperature easily and accurately.
Besides, thanks to the smooth and sturdy exterior, you can make use of alcohol or soap to easily disinfect it.
Last but not least, it is important to mention the fact that Hurinan is a trusted brand in this industry with excellent customer service. Therefore, you can be relieved when using their products.
PROS
- Easy and safe to use
- Possible to use soap or alcohol to disinfect its exterior
- Switchable from C to F or vice versa
- Suitable for many animals, including horses or dogs
- A stable temperature is shown
CONS
- Slow to register the temperature
- Not strong batteries
#2. Pavia Fast Rectal Thermometer
The second thermometer in the Best Horse Thermometer list is the Pavia Fast Rectal, which can be used for different sized animals, including horses, dogs, or cats. It is specifically designed for rectal use with a comfortable shape to make the process much easier.
The temperature is accurate and stable, being shown very quickly within more or less than 6 seconds.
Besides, the exterior is tough and smooth, which allows you to use alcohol and soap to disinfect it very easily. You can use the thermometer as soon as you want by pressing a button only.
The manufacturer offers a 90-day warranty so that you can rely on its quality.
PROS
- Various shapes for animals with different sizes
- Simple to view screen
- Easy and quick to measure the temperature
CONS
- Not waterproof
#3. Icare-pet Thermometer
Another excellent way to measure your horse’s temperature is an infrared thermometer coming from iCare-Pet. It is a perfect option, especially when your horse is particularly timid because you can turn off the sound of the beep.
The thermometer is lightweight, quiet, non-invasive, and very friendly looking. Therefore, you should go for this device if you do not want to tax the patience of your horse for a long time.
The screen has a light up display as well as big lettering, which enables you to read the results easily and quickly. Moreover, it has an amazing memory that can store up to 32 measurements. You can compare the results easily and determine whether your horse has any problems or not.
It is a versatile device, which means that you can make use of it for either big animals like horses, or small ones, such as dogs or even koalas.
PROS
- Backlit display for better reading of results
- Air mode that helps measure air temperature
- Very lightweight and ergonomic design
- Object mode to help you check the surface temperature
- Memory recall for 32 results
CONS
- Less accurate than contact thermometers
-
No Beep Voice Version
- Varied results
Who Makes the Best Horse Thermometers?
All manufacturers we have listed above are among the most reputable in this field. Each of them comes with its advantages and disadvantages, but we believe that if you are looking for the best horse thermometer, the first brand – Hurinan – should be your option.
It has been well-known for top high-quality thermometers for a wide range of animals, from dogs to horses. The results are very accurate, compared to other products on the market.
By comparison, the iCare-Pet’s product seems to have a lot of advantages, especially the memory recall that can tell you previous results. However, many users have said that the results varied at each time of measuring, causing them to be confused in the examination of fever.
Types of Equine Thermometers
Normally, people divide thermometers into different kinds based on how they are used to measure the temperature. You can find out more about the differences between each kind and choose what the best horse thermometer for you is.
Nowadays, it is essential to get a digital thermometer so that you can have the most accurate readings. Conventional thermometers are usually old-fashioned and not accurate.
There are two main types of thermometers: inserted or non-touch.
The inserted thermometer means that you have to insert it into a horse’s part, such as ear or anus. They have been common for many years, but the disadvantage is to stress both the horse and handler.
Meanwhile, technological advice has allowed us to come up with non-touch thermometers, which means that it is unnecessary to insert something into the horse any more. You can do it at a distance.
It works based on infrared radiations and is very simple to use. However, the cost might be higher.
How to Take A Horse’s Temperature?
Today’s digital thermometers make everything so much easier and quicker when it comes to taking a horse’s temperature, especially with digital types. In the past, people usually got rectal thermometers for the horse which came with a small ring at one end.
The owners, then, had to tie a clip on end and a long piece of string. They inserted the thermometer into the rectum of a horse, while the string was attached to the tail hairs.
Conventional thermometers needed to maintain in place for a couple of minutes, which might demand the horse to stay calm and make the handler nervous. On the other hand, digital thermometers give you a better reading within a short period of time.
Here are some tips on how to take a horse’s temperature quickly and accurately:
- First, you need to tie your horse or ask somebody to hold his head gently
- Stand next to his left hind leg (never stand in the back)
- Use your left hand to lift his tail slightly
- Then, use the right hand to insert the thermometer’s tip into his rectum
- In general, using lubricant is unnecessary as most horses do not show opposition to this process
- The recommendation is to keep a tight grip on your thermometer
- When you have a stable temperature, take the thermometer out and get to know the result immediately
Besides, the suggestion is to take his temperature several times so that you can gain the best result of his normal temperature.
Time can influence the result as well. Typically, the temperature can be slightly lower in the morning, while the evening or strenuous exercise may make the temperature increase a little bit.
The normal figure for a foal is up to 102 F (which is equivalent to 38.9 degrees Celsius), and that for a mature one is 101.5 F (38.6 degrees Celsius).
Higher temperatures can be an indicator of infection or some kinds of illness. In this circumstance, you need to ask a veterinarian for advice immediately.
FAQs about Best Horse Thermometer
Have you got all the necessary information you need to make the best decision regarding horse thermometers? Here are some frequently asked questions that may answer some of your inquiries, especially in terms of your horse’s well-being.
1. What causes horse fever?
Sometimes, fever appears only as a result of strenuous exercises or no particular reasons and disappears soon. However, if it lasts, you should consult experts to see what is the cause of the fever.
Some possible reasons for fever in a horse are:
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Blood-borne pathogens that infect your horse’s bloodstream and lead to fever as well as many other symptoms
2. How do I know if my horse has a fever?
Fever is associated with the temperature regulation system inside the body. The appearance of fever may begin as a pathogen, like a virus or bacteria, penetrates and damages the immune system.
You can examine your horse to find early signs of fever and carry out the measurement of temperature as soon as possible to start the diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some alarming indicators to tell you that your horse is in danger. When noticing any of these signs, you should think about a fever:
- Your horse is less or not interested in food
- His eyes seem to be dull
- The horse shows some signs of depression
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Sudden weight loss during a short period
- Swollen limbs or other areas
- Tend to isolate from other horses
- Profuse sweating, even when not doing exercise
- Pale mucous membranes
3. Can I use a regular thermometer on a horse?
In some cases, a regular thermometer can help measure the temperature of a horse as well.
Nevertheless, the most accurate method to check whether your horse has an abnormally high or low temperature or not is to use a digital thermometer which is particularly designed for that purpose.
Most normal thermometers which are used for human ears cannot perform this task as effectively as the specifically designed one.
4. What is a high temperature for a horse?
The normal temperature of a horse usually varies between 98- and 101-degrees Fahrenheit, with an average figure around 100.
A slight rise of 2-3 degrees that lasts around one or two days is not a big concern, as it can easily disappear after a few days. It is a sign that your horse’s body is fighting against some unrecognized infections.
When the temperature goes to above 106 degrees, it is an extremely high fever. Prolonged high dangerous temperature can have negative effects on metabolic functions, and your horse needs the treatment immediately to prevent his immune response from going wrong.
5. What is a low temperature for a horse?
The normal range of a horse’s temperature is around 39 degrees Celsius or 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Any figure below this should be considered as low, probably caused by blood loss, anemia, or hypothermia.
Besides, if the temperature goes to under 36 degrees Celsius or 97.5 F, it is a warning sign of possible death.
Conclusion
In general, there are times when you need to measure the temperature of a horse to detect possible ailments. You should pay more attention to this issue and be more concerned about getting a great thermometer to receive the best result.
From our perspective, the best horse thermometer on the market right now is the Horse Thermometer from Hurinan. It is flexible and very friendly to users. If you have any different points of view, do not hesitate to share with us now!
>>> Read More: Best Horse Electrolytes
Reference
- http://www.westernhorsereview.com/horse-and-health/abnormal-horse-temperatures/
- https://equusmagazine.com/diseases/what-fever-means-26391
- How to Take a Horse’s Temperature
- Agreement of Temperatures Measured Using a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer With a Rectal Digital Thermometer in Horses
- Horse – Wikipedia
- How to Take a Horse’s Temperature (with Pictures)