Surviving an Equine Emergency
By Debbie Fogle

There are very few drawbacks to being a horse owner in the White Mountains but the lack of veterinary services sits right at the top of this short list. Anyone who has owned a horse long enough has had the unfortunate experience of having to load up a sick and/or injured animal and head for the vet.

Living in a rural area makes it necessary to plan ahead for horse related emergencies. Having a first aid kit, knowing how to reach a veterinarian and having some means of transporting your horse there are all essential elements of a favorable outcome. Prevention is another important aspect of rural living. By keeping your horses in a safe environment with a sturdy fence, free of trash and loose wire, you go a long way toward keeping them injury free. Of course there are always those emergency situations where injury can neither be prevented nor foreseen so it sure helps to be prepared in advance.

If you own a horse then you really should have an equine first aid kit. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive but should contain some basic items which can be put together from scratch (see sidebar) or purchased already assembled. A good resource is www.equimedic.com - they sell a wide variety of first aid kits, and you can buy their equine bags (including horn bag) pre-stocked or empty and fill to suit. Ideally you will have three kits, one for the barn, one for the trailer and one to take on trail rides.

It is a good idea to develop a relationship with a veterinarian well in advance of any emergency situation. Unfortunately, there are not very many vets in our area and sometimes we are forced to travel a considerable distance to get care. If you can't get a hold of Doc White then the Arenas Valley Animal Clinic in Sliver City, NM is happy to treat your horses if you don't mind making the trip. Dr. John Wenzel and Dr. Mandy Chandler are both excellent doctors who can do everything from ultrasounds to minor surgery.

An interview with Dr. Chandler also revealed some useful information about equine emergencies. Dr. Chandler said that it is a good idea to include the anti-inflammatory drug, Banamine, in your first aid kit. She said "colic is the number one after-hours ailment and the best immediate treatment for this is Banamine, which works best on the smooth muscle pain of the stomach and intestines". If the colic is severe then sometimes surgery is the only option, in which case your best bet is to go to Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Center in Gilbert, AZ. Do keep in mind however, that colic surgery will cost upwards of $7,000.

Another important thing you can do to prepare for an emergency is to have some means of transporting your horse to the vet. Gone are the days when the vet came to you. Fortunately, most people who have horses also have horse trailers, but not always. If you don't have your own trailer then you need to arrange for the use of one in advance of an emergency. Ideally, you will also have practiced loading your horse beforehand because a trailer won't do you any good if your horse won't get in it. You should also keep your trailer well maintained and be sure to load your horse from time to time, especially if you don't trailer them often.

Having a first aid kit, knowing where to find a vet and being able to get your horse there are three things you will need to survive an equine emergency. It also helps if you know how to take your horse's vital signs and what 'normal' is for that horse - in other words, don't wait until your horse sick to take their temperature for the first time, you should know what their base temperature and heart rate are (temperature should be 99-101 degrees and resting heart rate for an adult is 36-40 beats per minute). If you have taken all of the steps mention above, then the next time you find yourself in the middle of an equine emergency, chances are you will have the confidence and clarity necessary to deal with the situation.

Debbie Fogle is a professional horse trainer and freelance writer who enjoys living in Nutrioso with her husband, son, and several four legged friends. She can be contacted at debbie@twobartraining.com

Basic First Aid Kit for Horses should include: