Which of the following is a sign of an unwell horse?

• A. Eyes are dull
• B. Standing evenly
• C. Gut sounds
• D. Resting hind leg

Answer: (A)

Dull, lackluster eyes are a clear sign that a horse may not be well. Bright, attentive eyes usually indicate a healthy, alert horse, while dull eyes can point to illness, dehydration, fever, or pain, so it’s a red flag to check the horse’s overall condition and other vital signs.

Standing evenly suggests a normal stance and balance, which you’d expect in a healthy horse; it isn’t by itself a sign of illness. Gut sounds describe the activity of the digestive tract; while abnormal gut sounds can indicate a GI problem, simply noting gut sounds doesn’t universally signal illness. Resting a hind leg might show some discomfort or fatigue, but on its own it isn’t a definitive sign of being unwell.