Thumps is a condition that occurs in
horse
The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million yea ...
s where there is an irregular spasming of the
diaphragm,
usually caused by dehydration due to fluid loss and related abnormal
electrolyte levels, most often
blood calcium. It is essentially a case of the
hiccup
A hiccup (scientific name ''singultus'', from a Latin word meaning "to catch one's breath while sobbing"; also spelled hiccough) is an involuntary contraction ( myoclonic jerk) of the diaphragm that may repeat several times per minute. The hi ...
s, but in horses it usually has a more serious underlying cause than in the corresponding human condition. Another condition that can cause thumps is
diarrhea
Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin w ...
.
For that reason, a case of thumps requires immediate veterinary attention. It is most often seen in horses used for
endurance riding but also occurs in other equine athletes. Clinical signs include sound coming from the horse's abdomen, which also can be seen contracting with the animal's heartbeat, but at rates of 40-50 times per minute. The condition was first identified by a veterinarian in 1831.
References
{{veterinary-med-stub
Horse diseases