If a stethoscope is NOT available, where can the heart rate be taken manually?

The heart rate can be effectively taken manually at the flank and the ear due to the presence of arteries that can be palpated in these areas. The flank area is where the abdominal aorta is located, and it can provide an indication of heart rate through the pulse of the arteries leading from the heart. Similarly, the ear has arteries close to the surface, making it possible to feel the pulse there as well. These locations allow for an accurate assessment of the heart rate when a stethoscope is not available.

Other options do not provide optimal locations for measuring heart rate manually. While certain arteries may be present in those areas, they are not typically used for accurate pulse assessment in horses compared to the flank and ear. Thus, the flank and ear are the most practical and accessible choices for taking a horse's heart rate manually.