EQUINE 9-1-1: What to do Until the Vet Arrives
An equine emergency is something all horse owners dread, but knowing what to do and being adequately prepared can make the difference between life and death for your horse. This means having the necessary supplies on hand, and practicing emergency procedures so that both you and your horse will be comfortable with them. It is also extremely useful to know what is normal for your horse – including his temperature, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary refill time and gut sounds – so that you can recognize and report any abnormalities during an emergency. When an emergency is actually happening, it may be some time until your veterinarian can get there to help you, so below are some practical steps you can take to give your horse the best chance of making it through. 1. PROBLEM: SEVERE BLEEDING A horse losing a lot of blood is a very scary thing, but the good news is that the average horse has over 12 gallons of blood in its body, and can lose over 3 gallons before showi...