Dealing with equine emergencies

May 31st, 2018

emergency

When it comes to our horses and their safety, we try as hard as possible to not let anything happen to them. However even with the greatest care and protection, at some point in time, we will have to respond to an emergency requiring immediate action. Petplan will outline what you need to do in the case of an emergency???

Before an Emergency

Even before owning your horse, you should have a well prepared??first aid kit??at your property that will be able to be used in a variety of situations ??? including extreme weather events. It is also important to plan what you will do in case something arises.

  • Have a set-out plan of what to do and where you???re going to go in the case of an emergency. Many people will become too overwhelmed and have no idea of what to do. Plan more than one evacuation route in the case of something stopping you from escaping one way.
  • Emergency numbers should be kept on your phone and in various locations around your stables and house. These should include your veterinarian and anyone (friends or neighbours) that are close by and able to assist in an emergency.
  • Regular checks should be taken of your horse???s stables and paddocks to remove any potential hazards. You should also check on your horse regularly to notice any signs of change that may indicate a problem.

During an emergency

Anyone can be prepared for an emergency; however, it is how calmly and quickly you deal with the situation that will make the difference.

  • If your horse becomes injured, it is imperative to keep them calm so they don???t cause further stress or make the injury worse. Your first aid kit will come in handy for different types of injuries and emergencies.
  • Call your veterinarian asap as they will not only come straight to you depending on the severity of the situation, they will also talk you through on what to do and how you can minimise the emergency.
  • If you???re dealing with a cut, you must try to stop the bleeding, cleanse the area, and try to prevent an infection. If there are uncontrollable amounts of blood loss, getting your horse to a vet is vital for their wellbeing.

Emergencies can come in all types when related to horses. They can involve injuries, weather events or even horses getting loose. For each situation there will be multiple outcomes, however, it will ultimately depend on how well you???re prepared, the planning on how you???re going to handle the situation, and your overall calmness when dealing with the issue that will prove how severe the emergency will be.

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