When to Call the Vet: A Horse Owner’s First Aid Guide
As horse owners, we all face that moment of uncertainty when our horse is injured or unwell. Should you attempt first aid yourself, or is it time to call the vet? Making the right decision can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a serious complication.
Emergency Situations: Call Immediately
Some situations require immediate veterinary attention, regardless of your first aid skills:
- Severe bleeding that won’t stop with direct pressure after 10-15 minutes needs professional intervention. While you can apply pressure bandages as first aid, arterial bleeding or deep wounds require suturing and proper medical care.
- Colic symptoms should never be taken lightly. If your horse is pawing, rolling, sweating excessively, or showing signs of abdominal pain, call us immediately. You can walk the horse gently while waiting ( if it is safe to do so ), but don’t delay seeking professional help.
- Eye injuries can deteriorate rapidly. Any trauma to the eye area, excessive tearing, or obvious pain warrants an emergency call. Don’t attempt to flush or treat eye injuries yourself.
- Fractures or suspected fractures require immediate veterinary care. Keep the horse as still as possible and don’t attempt to move them until professional help arrives.
When First Aid Can Buy You Time
For less severe injuries, proper first aid can stabilise your horse while you arrange veterinary care:
- Minor cuts and scrapes can be cleaned with saline solution and covered with a clean bandage. However, if the wound is deeper than the skin layer, gapes open, or is located near joints or tendons, call your vet.
- Minor swelling from bumps or kicks can be treated with cold therapy for the first 24 hours. If swelling doesn’t improve or the horse shows significant lameness, veterinary evaluation is needed.
- Small puncture wounds should be cleaned but not probed. These can be deceptively serious, especially if near vital structures. Clean the area and call your vet for guidance.
Trust Your Instincts
Your horse’s normal behaviour and vital signs are your best baseline (Do you know your horses normal temperature?). If something feels “off” about your horse’s demeanour, eating habits, or movement, don’t hesitate to call for professional advice. A quick phone consultation with us can help determine if the situation requires immediate attention or can wait for regular hours.
Remember, first aid is meant to stabilise and comfort your horse until professional help arrives – not to replace veterinary care. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and make that call. We would rather assess a minor issue than deal with a major complication that could have been prevented with early intervention.
Always keep our practice contact information readily available at your stables, and consider taking a equine first aid course to better prepare yourself for these situations.