1-855-957-8378
🚚 FREE SHIPPING on All U.S. Orders Over $200
Benefab®
Cart 0
  • Home
  • Shop

    Horse Products 17

    People Products 8

    Dog Products 4

    Bundles 4

  • Press
  • Blog
  • Pre-Loved
  • Dealers
  • Wishlist
Australia (AUD $)
Belgium (EUR €)
Canada (CAD $)
Costa Rica (CRC ₡)
Czechia (CZK Kč)
France (EUR €)
Germany (EUR €)
Italy (EUR €)
Japan (JPY ¥)
New Zealand (NZD $)
United Kingdom (GBP £)
United States (USD $)
English
Benefab®
  • Shop

    Horse Products 17

    People Products 8

    Dog Products 4

    Bundles 4

  • Press
  • Blog
  • Pre-Loved
  • Dealers
Wishlist Cart 0

Search our store

Benefab®
Wishlist Cart 0
Home / Blog
Blog

All about the Horse Circulatory System

Jan 20, 2023
All about the Horse Circulatory System

Why do horses have the stamina to run for extended periods? 

Horses can accommodate great oxygen demands with a specialized circulatory and respiratory system. This means they can provide the oxygen their muscles need during exercise. While the respiratory system transports oxygen, the equine circulatory system is a bit more complex. It transports blood through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.

The Role of the Circulatory System

The heart and spleen are the two major organs in the equine circulatory system. These organs connect to vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients and remove cellular waste throughout the body. We will dive into the specific function of each area of the circulatory system so you can better understand how this impacts your horse’s health.

The Equine Circulatory System

Your horse’s circulatory system consists of the heart, spleen, blood, blood vessels, and the frog.

Heart

The heart is a massive muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. A horse heart has four chambers: left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle. Oxygenated blood enters the heart and is pumped to the other organs, while deoxygenated blood returns and is pumped to the lungs, where it is reoxygenated.

Blood

Blood has several components: white blood cells, red blood cells, and plasma. White blood cells are involved with the immune system and respond to potential infections. Red blood cells are oxygen transporters. In addition to oxygen, blood transports nutrients and hormones and cools a horse down.

Blood Vessels

If blood is the transporter, think of blood vessels as the highways throughout the body. Blood travels through blood vessels to different organs and tissues. Arteries and veins are both blood vessels.

Spleen

The spleen is the gatekeeper for red blood cells. It removes damaged red blood cells and releases new red blood cells when needed. These new red blood cells allow horses to use more oxygen more efficiently, which helps with their stamina.

Frog

The frog in your horse’s hoof is part of the equine circulatory system. Every time your horse puts pressure on a hoof, the blood in the limbs is pushed back up into the horse’s body. Think of it like a natural blood circulator!

How to Determine Your Horse’s Heart Rate

There are several ways to check your horse’s heart rate. We recommend practicing each method to determine which you are most comfortable with before an emergency.

  1. Under the jaw - place two fingers under their jaw and count the number of beats in 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get the beats per minute rate.
  2. Digital Pulse - place your finger on the outside of the leg slightly lower than the fetlock joint. Feel for a cord-like bundle and apply slight pressure. In a healthy horse, it can be challenging to feel a digital pulse.
  3. Stethoscope - place a stethoscope on the belly just behind the front leg.

What should my horse's pulse be?

An average adult horse will have a heart rate of 28-40 beats per minute when resting. Newborn foals will have a heart rate between 80-120, older foals between 60-80, and yearlings between 40-60. Keep in mind these are resting rates. Your horse’s heart rate will be higher during and right after exercise.

How to Support Your Horse’s Circulation

If your horse needs additional support, herbs such as nettle and turmeric help boost the circulatory system. Alternatively, the Benefab Rejuvenate SmartScrim harmonizes bodily functions naturally and promotes blood circulation and oxygen flow, along with many other benefits.
Previous
Horse Leg Protection: A Complete Guide
Next
Horse Leg Care: A Complete Guide

Related Articles

What You Should Know About Hock Injections
July 04, 2025

What You Should Know About Hock Injections

If your horse feels off, like dragging behind or having rough transitions, it could be...
Read more
Essential Oils for Dogs
June 27, 2025

Essential Oils for Dogs

It’s no secret that essential oils have become a household favorite for everything from stress...
Read more
Clipping Cattle for Show: A Complete Guide
June 20, 2025

Clipping Cattle for Show: A Complete Guide

Whether you're preparing for a local fair or a major livestock competition, grooming your animal...
Read more
Chia Seeds for Horses
May 22, 2025

Chia Seeds for Horses

Chia seeds are a great supplement to any diet. They are small seeds harvested from...
Read more

Recent Posts

What You Should Know About Hock Injections
What You Should Know About Hock Injections
Essential Oils for Dogs
Essential Oils for Dogs
Clipping Cattle for Show: A Complete Guide
Clipping Cattle for Show: A Complete Guide
Chia Seeds for Horses
Chia Seeds for Horses
Common Diseases of Cattle
Common Diseases of Cattle
White Line Disease in Horses
White Line Disease in Horses
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
Can Horses Have Allergies?
Can Horses Have Allergies?
What You Need to Know About White Muscle Disease in Cattle
What You Need to Know About White Muscle Disease in Cattle
Dog Hip Dysplasia Home Treatment
Dog Hip Dysplasia Home Treatment

Focused &
Durable Designs

Products made specifically for you and your pets.

Free U.S. Shippingon All Orders over $200

We have you covered.

We Back Our
Products 100%

It's our customer promise.

BRAND PARTNERS

  • Become a Dealer
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Become a Registered Nonprofit
  • Logins for Dealer
  • Logins for Affiliate
  • Affiliate Resources
  • Meet our Ambassadors

CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • Contact
  • Shipping
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • Warranty & Return Policy
  • Medical / Brand Disclaimer
  • FAQs

ABOUT BENEFAB

  • Why Choose Benefab?
  • The Benefab Story
  • Parables Podcast
  • Our Sister Brands
  • Media Inquiries
  • Blog
© 2013 -2025 Benefab®. Property of the Naar Boven Corporation. All rights reserved. Powered by TCW Digital
Payment options:
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Visa

Confirm your age

Are you 18 years old or older?

Come back when you're older

Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. Come back when you're older.