How can you observe respiration in horses most easily?

Observing flank movement is often the easiest and most effective way to monitor respiration in horses. As the horse breathes in and out, you can see the movement of the flanks, which rise and fall as air is drawn into and expelled from the lungs. This visual indicator is easily noticeable, especially in a calm horse, and allows for an immediate assessment of the respiratory rate.

While watching the nostrils move can show some respiratory effort, it may not provide as clear a picture of the overall respiratory rate. Listening with a stethoscope gives a more precise evaluation of breathing sounds but requires additional equipment and may not be practical in all situations. Counting the beats at the neck is typically associated with measuring heart rate, not respiratory rate, making it less relevant for observing respiration directly.