911 ACTION PLAN
Your horse is standing in the pasture on three legs, unable to walk. Or he’s at the gate, covered in blood and frantic with distress. Or you find him in his stall, hay untouched, down and trying to roll.
Let’s hope none of these things ever happens—but if you have a horse, you need to be ready for emergencies. From foaling difficulties to the elderly horse that goes down and can’t get up, the possibilities for disaster are many. What should you do?
We turned to Margaret Mudge, VMD, a professor and equine surgeon who focuses on emergency and critical care at the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Here, with her help, we highlight 10 guidelines that will encourage you to think clearly and act fast in any equine health crisis. You’ll also find specific tips for handling some of the most common emergency situations and, in the box on page 11, steps you can take to be ready before misfortune strikes.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prepare for an emergency, Dr. Mudge says, is establish a relationship with a veterinarian. “Veterinarians have an obligation to provide emergency care and advice to their clients, and they are more likely to respond to a middle-of-the-night call if it comes from a client,” she explains. “Also, a vet can provide phone advice only if she has an established relationship and knows the horse. If she hasn’t seen your horse before, legally she can’t do that.”
Emergency Top 10
Every emergency is unique, and it can be nearly impossible
