Capillary refill time is one of the primary health criteria that veterinarians and horse owners can use to determine a horse’s state of illness. In this video, Sina Parsaye, DVM, of Colorado, walks us through how to take a capillary refill time on the gums of your horse.

(Editor’s note: The content of this video is the expert’s approach to the topic. Please consult with your practitioner if you have questions.)

Click on the above image to watch the video.

What is Capillary Refill Time?

“Capillary refill time can be a great indicator of your horse’s vascular status,” said Parsaye. “That information can be used in times of colic or distress to be given to your veterinarian.”

This simple test shows you how quickly blood returns to a horse’s gums after pressure is applied to blanche them. A normal capillary refill time for a healthy horse is 1-2 seconds.

How to Proceed

Raise your horse’s upper lip to expose the gums above the incisor teeth. Press your thumb firmly on the gums for 1-2 seconds to blanche the mucosa.

Remove your thumb and count the seconds for how long it takes for the color to return to that area.

“Normally capillary refill times should be less than 2 seconds,” said Parsaye. “If your horse’s capillary refill time is greater than 2 seconds during a time of colic, injury, or distress, please call your primary care veterinarian.”

Additional Info

When you are looking at your horse’s gums, make sure to notice the color and if they are moist or dry. These can be indicators of hydration levels and issues with circulation or general health.

A normal, healthy horse’s gums are usually shiny and pink. Pale gums can indicate blood loss, anemia, or low blood pressure. Deep red gums may indicate toxicity, infection, or shock. Yellow gums can be associated with liver problems. Blue or purple gums might indicate poor oxygenation, which can be related to heart or lung dysfunction.

Further Reading