Knowing when your pony needs veterinary attention is one of the most important skills for any horse owner. While some issues can wait for a routine check-up, others require immediate care. Here’s how to recognise the warning signs and make the right call for your horse’s health.
Emergency signs
These are the emergency signs to look out for that signal you must call your vet immediately:
Colic symptoms
- Rolling or thrashing on the ground
- Violent pawing or kicking at their belly
- Sweating profusely
- Rapid or absent gut sounds
- Lying down and refusing to get up
- Refusing to eat or drink
Severe lameness
- Won’t put any weight on a leg
- Obvious swelling, heat, or deformity
- Sudden onset of severe limping
Breathing problems
- Difficulty breathing or gasping
- Noisy breathing when at rest
- Flared nostrils when not exercising
Other emergency signs
- Deep cuts with significant bleeding
- Eye injuries or sudden blindness
- Choking (food stuck in throat)
- Down and unable to get up
- Seizures or neurological symptoms
What to do while you wait
After calling the vet, here’s how to help your horse:
For colic
- Remove food (but leave water available)
- Keep them walking if they want to lie down and roll
- Take their temperature and pulse if you know how
- Stay calm and keep them as comfortable as possible
For injuries
- Keep the horse calm and still
- If a wound is bleeding a lot apply towels and pressure to stem the bleeding. NOTE: Do not remove the towel when it is soaked in blood, simply add another on top, to avoid disturbing any clotting that might be happening.
- Don’t pull anything out of a wound if it is stuck in there. Wait for your vets instructions.
- Don’t give any medications unless directed by the vet.
- Take photos if it will help describe the problem to the vet.
Know your horse’s normal
The best way to recognise when something’s wrong is to know what’s normal for your horse:
- Normal temperature: 37.5-38.6°C
- Normal pulse: 28-44 beats per minute at rest
- Normal eating, drinking, and behaviour patterns
- How they usually move and stand
When in doubt, ask
Remember, it’s always better to call and be reassured that everything is okay than to wait and wish you had called sooner. Most vets would rather answer a question about a minor concern than be called out for an emergency that could have been prevented.
Keep your vet’s contact information easily accessible, and don’t hesitate to use it. Your horse’s health and your peace of mind are worth that phone call!
