As horse owners we have a huge responsibility in keeping our animals healthy. Most of the time, basic care is sufficient to keeping a horse in top condition. But there are times when we need to call in the help of other equine practitioners for help or advice. The person we most often rely on for counsel and aid is the veterinarian. I am not trained in veterinarian medicine, so I am not qualified to comment on your horse's health care, beyond giving an opinion based on what I've experienced and observed.

I've had horses with colic, seen cancers, various lameness, eye, tooth, skin and hoof problems, bone fractures, ulcers and more. I've got my veterinarian's phone number memorized.

I know it's costly to get veterinarian treatment, and why someone would be reticent about calling a vet, and go looking for answers to problems elsewhere, including online. But taking a 'wait and see' attitude can be dangerous for your horse and perhaps cost you more money in the long run.

On the former forum and in emails, there are frequently questions about problems that even someone with veterinarian training would have problems diagnosing without a thorough examination. Yes, some problems can be solved by doing a bit of research, but others need attention now by a qualified veterinarian. Some things you can deal with yourself, some you will need professional help with.

Before Emergencies Occur

So how do you tell the difference between something that you can treat yourself, and something you should call the vet for?

First of all, you need to know what is normal for your horse. Observing your horse over a period of time will give you a good idea of what its normal behavior and habits are. Notice things like:

• How often it eats
  
• How much it eats
  
• How often it produces manure
  
• Its basic TPRs
  
• Any lumps, bumps or scars it may already have
  
• Its normal activity levels
  
• Pre-existing conditions like gait or TPR anomalies.
  

It may help to write these things down and put them in your equine first aid kit so if an emergency does occur you aren't scrambling to remember things. Have your vet's number written clearly beside the phone, or on the lid of your first aid kit. You should also have your horse's insurance policy number handy.

 

Recognize Emergencies

Indications an injury or illness requires immediate veterinarian attention are:

• Profuse bleeding that won't show signs of abating after a few minutes
  
• Profuse diarrhea
  
• Choking
  
• High temperature over 102F
  
• High pulse over 80F at rest
  
• High respiration, panting, with or without wheezing or rattling
  
• Sudden lameness with heat and swelling
  
• Sudden, severe lameness with no heat or swelling
  
• Lameness and hoof heat after eating an unusually large amount of grain or grass (possible laminitis)
  
• Seizures
  
• Severe changes in attitude or activity level
  
• Colic
  
• A cut, tear or scrape that exposes the underlying tissue
  
• Any eye problem
  
• Extreme lameness or stiffness after intense exercise
  
• Profuse sweating or other signs of distress
  
• Inability to stand
  
• Straining to produce manure or urine
  
• Capillary refill test and skin pinch tests indicate severe dehydration
  
• Coffee colored urine
  
• Any puncture wound
  

Don't wait and see, or spend time waiting for responses to your emails or forum posts about these. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Things That May Not Be Emergencies

Things that may indicate veterinarian attention is needed, but are not emergencies are:

• Slight lameness with no apparent cause
  
• Intermittent lameness
  
• skin problems like dermatitis
  
• gradual lose of condition
  
• slight swellings on body or legs that don't seem to cause the horse distress
  
• small cuts or scrapes
  
• hoof abscesses
  
• foaling
  

 

As you are waiting for the vet to respond to an emergency call, write down any information that may help the vet like when you first noticed symptoms, cause of any injury, any pre-existing conditions (like an unusual heart beat) that may make diagnosing difficult.

Real emergencies are rare and most cuts, bruises and other injuries can be handled at home. But if in doubt call your vet!