First aid until the vet arrives

The following recommendations are not meant to serve as treatment guidelines, but should help minimize damage until we can get to your farm.
  • If possible, check your horse's vital signs before you call.  The pulse rate, respiration and capillary refill time can help us determine the severity of the problem.
  • If you have called and left a message, please stay near your phone and off the line so we can easily reach you!
  • If you do not get a return call within 20 minutes, please call back.
My horse cut himself and is bleeding profusely.
  • Apply a clean pressure bandage to control blood loss.   A pressure bandage includes a thick layer of cushion (this can be a clean T-shirt or towel if that is what is available) wrapped under firm pressure with vetwrap or other elastic wrap.
  • If the laceration is contaminated with dirt, rinse it with a cold water from the hose before applying a pressure bandage.
  • Do not put any ointments or hydrogen peroxide on the wound. 
My horse is colicing and wants to go down and roll.
  • Be safe!  Your horse can unintentionally hurt you during one of these painful episodes.
  • WALK the horse if possible.
  • If the horse insists on going down, try to make the area safe and free of clutter.  The pasture or a large lot is best.  If he must stay in the stall, clear everything out including water and feed buckets.
  • If you have pain medication (e.g., Banamine) please talk to us before administering.
My horse's eye is swollen shut and running.
  • Carefully rinse the eye with saline eye wash (the kind for contact lens wearers works well).
  • Do not put any drugs or ointment into the eye until it has been examined for corneal damage.
My horse is extremely lame and cannot bear weight on one leg.
  • Look for swelling, heat or evidence of a puncture wound.
  • Extreme lameness can be caused by a hoof abscess or fracture, among other things.
  • Cold water hosing can help to limit pain and swelling until the vet arrives

My horse seems very painful on his front feet and doesn't want to move.
  • Your horse may be foundering. This condition can happen after sudden over-eating (getting into the grain room), too much green grass, stress, trauma, overwork, or a metabolic disorder.
  • Immediate care can help minimize the damage that is created by this disease. While you wait for the vet, stand the horse in sand or sawdust, and apply ice to his feet.
My horse has a nail in its foot.
  • Do not remove the nail. The veterinarian will need to X-Ray the hoof to determine if the nail penetrated sensitive structures or the coffin bone.
  • Keep the horse as quiet as possible to prevent him driving the nail further into his foot.

Foaling emergencies

A mare will often act differently for several hours prior to giving birth, but once in labor, the foal should be delivered fairly quickly (within 15 minutes).  Call if there is any delay.  You should first see one front foot, followed closely by the second.  Call if there is any variation from this presentation.
Once the foal is born, there are three key events that take place within the first few hours after birth. The 1-2-3 Rule provides an easy way to remember them:
  1. The foal should stand within 1 hour of birth.
  2. The foal should nurse within 2 hours of birth.
  3. The mare should pass the placenta within 3 hours.
If there is a delay in the time frame of their occurrence, it is an indication of a problem and a veterinarian should be contacted.