First aid for horses – what to do?
Every injury or illness of the horse brings with it individual requirements for first aid. First of all, as a first aider, you should get an overview of the situation. What has happened? What is the general condition of the horse? What can be done for first aid and does a veterinarian have to be called in?
If you or other riders are involved in a riding accident, you should first care for yourself and those around you. This is the only way to ensure that first aid is also provided for your horse!
Recognise diseases and injuries
As a horse owner, you know your horse best, so it is easy for you to judge the health and behaviour of your horse at first glance. Nevertheless, you should not rely solely on your gut feeling. The following tips can help to recognise illnesses and initiate initial measures:
- A first aid course helps to become more confident in dealing with emergency situations. In the meantime, first aid courses for horses are offered by many veterinarians or as online seminars. Here you will not only be informed about first aid, you will also receive important information about typical illnesses and emergencies in order to be able to categorise the situations better. When it comes to equestrian sports, accidents often happen in which riders are involved, therefore refresh your knowledge about first aid for humans regularly as well!
- If you notice any abnormalities in your horse, it is important to assess the situation as quickly as possible. In the case of illnesses, every piece of information, no matter how seemingly unimportant, can be an important clue for the veterinarian treating the horse. Keep a record of your horse’s condition and behaviour until the vet arrives – when did your horse last eat and drink? When was faeces or urine passed? How does the horse behave? Does the horse move differently than usual?
- Deviations from the normal vital signs often indicate when something is wrong:
| PULSE | 28-40 beats per minute | Feel the artery at the midfoot or under the jaw |
| BREATHING | 8-16 breaths per minute | Observe the nostrils and flank movement |
| TEMPERATURE | 37.0-38.0°C | Measure with a clinical thermometer |
Under observation
You cannot be with your horse around the clock. In a good yard community, everyone should contribute to the health of all horses by keeping a close eye not only on their own horse, but also on the other yard residents. In case of prolonged absence, make sure that your yard community has the most important info and emergency contacts at hand and can react quickly. Since in the case of an extreme emergency, vital decisions often have to be made, we also recommend issuing an emergency power of attorney for the yard management or the holiday replacement, so that your horse is always cared for in your best interest, even in your absence.
Here you will find our templates with the most important information and an emergency power of attorney for your holiday replacement:
Which illnesses and injuries can I treat myself?
Basically, if you are unsure about the health of your horse, you should always contact your veterinarian!
Smaller wounds and scratches, which often happen during turnout, can in most cases be treated by yourself and will heal without any consequences if the appropriate follow-up care is provided.
Know how
A first aid course pays off even for the initial treatment of minor wounds! An incorrectly applied dressing can cause damage to the tissue, and open wounds must always be treated cleanly. Sterile dressing material and washed/disinfected hands are a must!
When should I consult a vet?
In general, if in doubt, you should always call the vet once too often rather than once too little. In the following cases, you should definitely classify the situation as an emergency:
- large wounds that are associated with heavy bleeding
- severe swelling
- high fever
- deviations from the normal vital signs
- shortness of breath
- disturbed consciousness
- circulatory problems
- severe lameness
If signs of the following diseases are observed, a veterinarian should also be contacted immediately:
- colic
- choke
- tying-up, also known as azoturia
- laminitis
- tetanus
- heat stroke
Notifying the vet – clear information is important!
If the horse is acutely ill or has had an accident, the owner is in an absolute state of emergency. You should try to remain calm so that your horse can be treated quickly. Similar to making an emergency call for humans, you should try to describe the situation as concretely as possible with the help of these questions:
WHO is calling?
WHICH horse is it?
WHERE is the horse located?
WHAT injuries/symptoms are present?
Since WHEN has the horse been ill or injured?
HOW MANY horses are injured/ill?
Finally, WAIT for instructions or further questions from the vet!