Are You Prepared For An Equine Emergency?

If your horse, or the horse in your care, came in from the pasture with a lower leg injury, that was gushing blood, would you know what to do?

What if your horse was choking on his grain?

What would you do if your horse was off his feed for a day?

What if the horse in your care was exhibiting signs of colic?

What would you do if your horse stepped on a nail?

What would you do if your horse came in from the field and was lame?

Do you know how to distinguish between what is an emergency and requires immediate vet care, and what can wait until the vet can schedule you in? There is currently a shortage of equine vets and it is important to know when you should call the vet for an emergency appointment and what to do until the vet arrives. It is now more important than ever to maintain a good relationship with your vet, and calling him on Christmas Eve because your horse is slightly lame or didn’t finish his Christmas mash is not how you stay in the good graces of your vet.

Emergency Situations Requiring Immediate Vet Care:

• Colic: Keep in mind that colic is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom that something is not right. It can be gas, a reaction to eating a toxic plant, over-eating grain or a twisted intestine, just to name a few.

• Eye injuries

• Deep cuts with profuse bleeding

• Severe lameness

• Unable to move

• Choking

• Collapse

• Labored breathing

• Snake bite

• Impact accident

• Shock

• Puncture wound to hoof

• Fractures

• Tendon injuries

It is important to be able to recognize the signs of an emergency. A call to the vet should be immediately placed and if possible, the horse should be moved into a stall and kept quiet. If you are unsure of what to do until the vet arrives, be sure to ask him or her for instructions

Barn managers and horse owners should have the basic equine first aid fundamentals. They should know the vital signs of the horse, be able to bandage a leg, cleanse a wound and know what to do with a colicing horse. All barns should have a well stocked first aid kit.

The Equine First Aid Kit:

• Thermometer

• Scissors, both regular and bandage

• Assortment of bandages

• Assortment of sterile, non-stick guaze

• Self adhesive bandages such as Vet Wrap

• Poultice

• Syringes and needles

• Banamine paste and/or injectable

• Bute

• Stethascope

• Antibiotic spray or wound dressing

• Antiseptic ointment

• Antiseptic cleansing liquid, such as Betadine

• Adhesive tape

• Pressure pads such as sanitary napkins

• Saline solution for cleaning wounds

• Rubbing alcohol

• Four leg bandages and quilted leg wraps

• Human 1st Aid Kit

Good horse management means knowing each individual horse so they can identify when they are potentially ill or injured. Some horses will exhibit classic signs of colic, with pawing, rolling and vocalizing, while others will be very stoic. Knowing the vital signs of a horse is also important! It is a good idea to know the base signs for each horse and write them down in their health record book, as each horse may be different.

There are several good equine vet books on the market that are easy to understand and read. Keeping one handy in the first aid kit will make life a little easier when an emergency does arise and if you are unsure of what to do until you can contact your vet.

It is not a matter of if, but rather when your horse injures himself. Brushing up on your basic first aid skills is not a bad idea. An even better idea is to incorporate your boarders or friends for an afternoon of learning. Contact your local vet to see if they are interested in providing a crash course or if they can recommend someone. It could save the life of your horse.

My Favorite Vet Books

• The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual by Tony and Marcy Pavod

• Dr. Kellon’s Guide to First Aid For Horses, by Eleanor Kellon, VMD. This is a compact spiral book , easy to keep in your first aid kit for quick reference!

• A-Z Of Horse Diseases and Health Problems by Tim Hawcroft. This is another compact book, perfect for keeping in your 1st aid kit!