On a normal healthy resting horse you should hardly be able to feel a digital pulse in the arteries of the foot at the rear of the fetlock or pastern.

An exaggerated digital pulse generally indicates inflammation in a foot and is often associated with any injury to or problem in the foot. Horses with a fever or other systemic illness may have a palpable digital pulse as well.

Occasionally a digital pulse will be obvious without any perceptible problem. Otherwise healthy horses that have exercised recently will have more palpable pulses than resting horses. Sometimes we simply don't know why a horse has an elevated digital pulse in a foot.

An obvious digital pulse should prompt further investigation. The most important question is whether the horse is showing any signs of lameness or other abnormalities. In many cases, heat is also palpable in a hoof that has a problem. So look for these other signs and try to make a determination as to whether you think your horse has a problem.