Shumbashaba Reflection 4 - 10 - 14

Shumbashaba Reflection 4 – 10 – 14

            On Thursday, April 10, I learned how to take rectum temperatures on horses. The normal body temperatures of a horse is between 37.5°C and 38.5°C. Any temperature above 38.5°C is seen as a possible infection. A digital thermometer is the equipment necessary for this daily procedure. It will notify you when it’s ready by beeping. It will display the temperature on the thermometer display screen. I took the temperature of about 25 different horses at Shumbashaba during my volunteer service time. All the horses were waiting in the stalls for us. Temperatures must be taken every morning and night. First, position yourself on the left side of the horse. This prevents the horse from being scared. Approach the horse from the front at an angle and move towards the rear end. This will prevent you from being kicked. Second, gently tap the horse’s rear end so they know you are there and lift the tail. Third, turn on the thermometer and insert it into the rectum. Wait until the thermometer beeps to indicate it is done and ready to read. This takes about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Then, remove the thermometer from the rectum and record results in a chart. Warning: gas will escape from the horse’s rectum; so, be ready. The temperature will be lower in the morning and higher at night due to the weather.

            This is a new challenge and skill that I have learned by volunteering my time at Shumbashaba. This interaction along with my other volunteer service at Shumbashaba has enhanced my knowledge and skill as a whole with working with horses. When I arrived at Shumbashaba this afternoon, and was told we were going to be taking the temperatures of the horses via the rectum I was a bit apprehensive. As I put my own unknown fears aside and got right into the task, I learned that this is a very important medical procedure to ensure that the horses are in good health. I overcame my apprehensiveness. The only thing I can relate this to is my dogs annual vet visit. I was able to observe my veterinarian performing this same task on my dogs. Now I’m able to take part in this task at Shumbashaba. At Shumbashaba I noticed that the thermometer was not being cleaned from horse to horse. A change that I would make is to clean the thermometer after every use. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue volunteering at Shumbashaba.