📋 At a Glance
Call your veterinarian if
- The temperature is above 101.5°F
- The temperature is 103°F or higher — call right away
- A foal has a temperature above 102°F
- A fever comes with colic signs, trouble breathing, nasal discharge, a cough, or the horse is not eating
- Other horses on the property also have a fever or are sick
What a Fever Means
A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. It is a sign that something is happening in the body, but it does not tell you what the cause is. Only a veterinarian can work out the cause, which is why a fever is always a reason to make a call rather than to guess.
Temperature Ranges in the Sources
Sources give slightly different normal ranges for an adult horse. The University of Florida and eXtension both give roughly 99 to 101.5°F; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension gives 99.5 to 101.5°F. Texas A&M describes 102°F as a mild fever and advises calling a veterinarian when the temperature reaches 103°F, and the University of Florida lists any reading above 101.5°F as a reason to call. Because ranges vary between horses, ask your veterinarian what is normal for yours, and take a few readings when your horse is healthy so you know their baseline.
What to Tell Your Veterinarian
- The temperature and the time you took it
- When you first noticed your horse was not acting normally
- Appetite, water intake, manure, and energy level
- Any cough, nasal discharge, swelling, lameness, or wounds
- Recent travel, new horses on the property, or sick horses nearby
Fever and Contagious Disease
Several contagious diseases can begin with a fever, so a horse with a fever may need to be kept apart from other horses until your veterinarian advises otherwise. See the Biosecurity guide for how facilities limit the spread of disease.
What Not To Do
- Do not give any medication unless your veterinarian tells you to
- Do not wait for the fever to go away on its own if it is high or comes with other signs
Sources: American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP); University of Florida Large Animal Hospital; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; eXtension Horses. This page is educational and does not replace an examination by your veterinarian.