There are many different situations in which your horse may find itself in distress. But is it really an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information on how to assess your horse's situation. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
An emergency is when there is a risk of serious injury or even death to the animal without immediate assistance. Clear warning signs of an emergency in horses are as follows:
A healthy horse has the following normal values:
Every horse has its own normal values. It is best to check these regularly when your horse is at rest so that you are well prepared in an emergency and can assess the values.
Due to the size and lung capacity of horses, you cannot perform classic first aid, i.e. resuscitation through chest compressions and mouth-to-nose resuscitation.
In minor "emergencies," you can prevent further damage by taking the right measures. With a well-stocked stable first aid kit (see relevant article), you will be well equipped to provide initial care.
You can treatsmall, superficial wounds that do not contain any foreign objects, are not hot or swollen, and are not accompanied by lameness or fever. Clean them with clear water and disinfect them. Use disposable gloves. Keep the wound clean, observe it, and allow it to heal on its own. If the wound does not heal properly, call your vet. Do not administer any medication without veterinary advice.
Call your vet if the wound is deep or bleeding heavily. Apply a pressure bandage to arterial bleeding (pulsating, bright red blood flow). For venous bleeding (dark red, steady blood flow), apply pressure to the cleanly covered wound with your fingers for a few minutes and apply a slightly tight bandage. Wrap bleeding on the torso, head, or neck with a clean towel and a bandage. In the case of a puncture wound in the sole of the hoof, check whether there is a foreign object that you can remove. Clean the hoof, disinfect the area, and apply a hoof bandage.
If joint or tendon structures may be affected, transport your horse to an equine clinic for treatment.
Isolate your horse from other horses, cover it with a sweat blanket in cold weather, offer it water and fresh feed, and ensure it has a quiet stall. If your horse has a fever but no other symptoms, take its temperature every three hours and keep an eye on it. If the fever is high or if your horse also appears listless, has a cough, diarrhea, or similar symptoms, call your veterinarian. Do not administer any medication without veterinary advice.
In urgent emergencies, you can save your horse's life by acting quickly and correctly.
If you suspect colic (see relevant article), call your vet immediately. Keep your horse moving at a walk until they arrive, prevent it from lying down and do not let it eat. Cover it warmly in cold weather. If the veterinary treatment on site does not improve the situation, load your horse immediately and take it to a nearby equine clinic. In this emergency, time is of the essence.
A blocked windpipe (see relevant article) is an absolute emergency. Call your vet immediately. Do not let your horse eat or drink. Make sure it keeps its head low. Prepare a bucket of lukewarm water. Do not try to massage the swelling away yourself or make your horse vomit. Horses cannot vomit.
If your horse has a hot spot (see relevant article), cool the affected leg with water or cooling bandages and measure its body temperature. Call your vet and walk your horse at a slow pace until they arrive. Do not administer any medication without veterinary advice.
In the event of hives (see relevant article), remove the trigger if you can identify it. If the reaction is severe, does not improve within a few hours, or if swelling of the face and breathing problems occur, call your vet immediately. Do not administer any medical treatment without consulting a vet.
In case of acute poisoning (see relevant article), call your vet immediately and provide them with the details you know over the phone. Try to identify the poison or have a sample ready. Prevent any further ingestion of the poison and do not offer any food until your vet arrives. If your horse is unstable or behaving abnormally, ensure your own safety. If there are signs of colic, proceed as described above.
Poisoning in horses is often caused by ingesting poisonous plants found in pastures or hedges. These include autumn crocus, yew, ragwort, and hedge plants such as cherry laurel, thuja, boxwood, ivy, and many others.
In the event of cross-tie tetany (see relevant article), call your vet immediately. Avoid moving your horse, keep it warm with a blanket, remove concentrated feed and offer water.
Call your vet immediately, prevent your horse from moving if possible, and try to calm it down. Do not administer any medication without veterinary advice.
If your horse suffers from heatstroke, move it to a cool place immediately and call your vet. Shower it with cold, but not ice-cold, water. Start at the legs and work your way slowly towards the heart. Offer plenty of water to drink.
Inthe petsXL emergency guide, you will find further articles on illnesses that can become emergencies.
If your horse can still be loaded onto a trailer, drive immediately to a nearby equine clinic. Call ahead and describe your observations as accurately as possible so that they can prepare and act quickly.
In some regions, there are "horse ambulances" that pick up horses that are difficult to transport and accompany them to the equine clinic. Horses that can no longer stand on their own can be transported in these vehicles suspended in a lifting harness or even lying on a rescue board.
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