Different doses of heparin were given to equids SC to establish 0.05 to 0.20 U of heparin/ml of plasma. Plasma heparin values and antithrombin III activities were assayed, using chromogenic substrate methods. Activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin times were determined, using conventional coagulation assays. Tests were run every hour (or every 2 hours for antithrombin III) for 12 hours from 5 groups of 5 equids each after single injection of 40, 60, 80, 100, or 125 U of calcium heparin/kg of body weight and from 11 equids after injection of 150 U of calcium heparin/kg. The smaller dose (40 U/kg) did not or only insufficiently increase plasma heparin values. After 150 U of heparin/kg, plasma heparin concentrations were increased for 11 hours and were significantly (P = 0.05) increased between postadministration hours 2 and 7. The desired range beyond 0.05 U of heparin/ml was achieved between postadministration hours 2 and 6. Antithrombin III, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time were not significantly affected by any heparin dose. In cumulative studies, 2 equids were given 150 U of heparin/kg 7 times at 12-hour intervals. After the 3rd injection, a mean plasma concentration of 0.20 U of heparin/ml was achieved; after the 7th injection, the mean concentration was 0.22 U of heparin/ml. Four equids were given 150 U of heparin/kg initially, followed by 125 U of heparin/kg 6 times at 12-hour intervals. After the 3rd injection, a maximal plasma heparin concentration of 0.12 U of heparin/ml was achieved; after the 7th injection, the mean concentration was 0.18 U of heparin/ml. Repeated SC heparin injections caused moderate swelling at the injection sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)