Everything You Need to Know About Equine Emergencies

How do I find an emergency veterinarian for my horse?

Aspen Veterinary Clinic is the only clinic in the Flagstaff area offering emergency services for horses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

How do I know if my horse is experiencing an emergency?

Horses, as herd animals, tend to mask their pain, so if you are seeing changes to your horses behavior, monitor them closely. If your horse is not eating, that is a sign of colic which is always an emergency. Obvious lacerations or injuries can be an emergency depending on their location and severity. Any type of breathing issues or choking is an urgent emergency.

Is my horse being lame an emergency?

It can be. Any non weight bearing lameness where the horse cannot put weight on a leg is an emergency. Severe lameness when the horse is only able to put weight on the toe can also be considered an emergency.

What are some signs and symptoms that are considered an equine emergency?

• Wound care - Severe or deep lacerations, especially near a joint, need to be seen right away. Some wounds can look small on the surface but involve tissues underneath the skin so they should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
• Saddle injuries may be an emergency depending on how involved the injury is. We always recommended checking in with us and even sending us pictures to evaluate an injury.
• Hoof injuries/abscess - Hoof injuries of the coronet band and hoof wall, including abscesses, can be an emergency especially if they are causing severe lameness.

Should I give my horse first aid at home, and what should you have in your first aid kit?

Please contact us for direction if your horse is needing first aid. For severe bleeding you can apply pressure to a wound but it is best to text us a picture so that we can recommend appropriate care. Colorado State University has a good list of what to include in your First Aid Kit:

Equine First Aid Kit

How will a veterinarian treat my horse in an emergency situation?

When you are dealing with an emergency, time is important. If you are able to trailer your horse into the clinic we can begin treatment as soon as possible. If you are not able to trailer your horse in, we can arrange for the veterinarian to come out but there might be a delay due to the clinic schedule. Always call us as soon as you notice there is an urgent situation with your horse.

Is active labor considered an emergency for my horse?

Most mares are able to foal without a problem, normal foaling should take about 30 minutes after water breaking, however there are things to look for that would constitute an emergency. Any abnormal presentation such as head first, only one foreleg showing, no head resting on forelegs or hind legs first (hooves facing up) or a red bag showing would be an emergency. If the mare is showing extreme distress or continuing to strain after 30 minutes of active labor immediate veterinary care would be necessary. The placenta should pass within 3 hours, if not, this would also require veterinary care due to the possibility of severe health issues. Once the placenta is passed it should be retained for the veterinarian to check that no pieces are missing and possibly retained. The foal should stand and nurse shortly after birth, any delay needs to be addressed.

Will my veterinarian come to me in case of an emergency?

Yes, we have a veterinarian on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, it is always best to haul into the clinic in an emergency so that treatment can begin promptly. If you need a veterinarian to come out to you we may need to move appointments around to accommodate an emergency, which can delay treatment.

FAQs - Understanding Equine Emergencies

How do you treat an open wound on a horse?

Check with your veterinarian. Depending on the location, depth or severity of a laceration, it may require emergency care. Meanwhile, stopping any bleeding and keeping the wound clean and bandaged, if possible, can help.

Are all hoof and leg injuries emergencies for my horse?

Minor scrapes and wounds are probably not an emergency, but any wound or puncture near a joint needs to be examined by a veterinarian due to the possibility of a joint injury or infection.

What happens if you don't trim a horse's foot?

Hooves that are not regularly trimmed can put strain on all the joints in the leg and cause significant long term issues.

What can I do at home for a lame horse?

While waiting for a veterinary evaluation, please keep the horse confined to a small area with deep bedding to prevent any further injury.

What can I do at home for a horse with a wound?

Keep the wound clean and bandaged, do not apply any ointment or medication unless directed to do so by a veterinarian. Taking a picture of the wound before bandaging can help the veterinarian evaluate whether immediate care is necessary.

How do you treat saddle sores on horses?

Saddle sores are caused by ill-fitting or poorly padded tack. The pressure or friction causes damage to the skin and underlying tissues. Eliminate using the tack that caused the sore and rest the horse until fully healed.

Treatment can include warm compresses and antimicrobials. Not treating the initial sores can lead to them forming ulcers and even necrosis which may need surgery.

What are some common causes of saddle issues for horses?

Ill-fitting or poorly padded tack causes the sores to form. Even tack that was well-fitted previously can cause issues if there is weight loss or muscle loss.

Why do you have to put down a horse when it's injured?

Modern veterinary medicine has incredible options for treatment of even very traumatic injuries. However, when injuries are causing undue suffering or have a very poor prognosis, sometimes the kindest decision is to euthanize.

If a horse bites me, do I contact a veterinarian?

There is no state requirement to report a horse bite.

Can I apply a bandage to my horse’s tail?

It is common to keep a show horse’s tail in a tail bag or to wrap it with a polo wrap. Vet wrap can cause hair loss or tail damage if wrapped too tightly.

Does my horse need to be saddle trained to see a veterinarian?

No, they do not need to be saddle trained, but they should be halter trained and used to being handled, if possible.

Can we sedate my horse if it’s needed for an emergency?

Yes, we have options to sedate horses for injury repair, treatment or evaluation.

Questions?

Reach out to our team if you have any questions about your horse's condition. You can give us a call or request an appointment online.