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Strategic Deworming Schedules for HorsesThe American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommendations for dewo...
06/01/2026

Strategic Deworming Schedules for Horses

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommendations for deworming horses have changed substantially over the years, with the current emphasis on strategic targeting (treating certain horses) rather than the outdated rotation-based treatment of all horses at a facility.

“The primary objective of managing parasites in horses (as well as other equids) is to minimize parasite infections, ensuring the well-being of the animals and preventing the onset of clinical illness,” says Jonathan Yardley, DVM, associate professor of clinical equine field services at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Columbus. Of the internal parasites found in adult (over 18 months of age) horses, the most damaging and potentially fatal for the horse are large strongyles (bloodworms), small strongyles (cyathostomes) and tapeworms. Other intestinal parasites include pinworms, threadworms, stomach worms and lung worms. In foals less than 1 year old, ascarids (roundworms) are the most problematic. “It’s worth noting that adult horses develop immunity to ascarids, making this less of a concern in older horses,” says Yardley.

The Life Cycle of Internal Parasites in Horses
The life cycle of most equine internal parasites includes egg, larval, and adult stages. In general, the horse eliminates parasite eggs in the manure, depositing them onto the ground. The larvae develop in eggs and might hatch out, depending on the species, which allows the horse to ingest the parasite’s infective stage. The larvae then develop into adults within the gastrointestinal tract of the horse, with some parasite species migrating throughout the horse’s various organ systems as developing larvae before completing their life cycles.

Previous Equine Deworming Practices
In the past, owners dewormed their horses every four to eight weeks to treat them for any possible intestinal parasites, but more recent research shows this practice leads to parasite resistance. Scientists predicted resistance to horse dewormers (anthelmintics) a long time ago, says Antoinette Marsh, PhD, associate professor and service head at Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center Diagnostic Parasitology Lab. “(Because) roundworms, small strongyles, and tapeworms reproduce quite rapidly and display high fecundity (the ability to produce a large number of offspring), the opportunity for genetic change significantly increases,” she says. “The presence of viable, reproducing worms remaining after any deworming gives surviving worms an advantage to reproduce as compared to nonresistant worms no longer around.”

The greater the deworming frequency, the faster resistance develops and, once this resistance occurs, it is not reversable, Marsh says. One parasite generation can pass drug resistance or susceptibility to the next, creating more resistant parasites over time if all the anthelmintic-susceptible parasites are killed off.

Updated Equine Deworming Practices
Current deworming practices involve only treating the horses that need it the most (young horses and those with a heavy parasite burden) to slow the rate of parasite resistance development by maintaining a population of nonresistant parasites in the horses that are not receiving any deworming treatment.

“By leaving some drug-susceptible worms behind to mate or reproduce with drug-resistant worms, the drug-resistant genes in the worms can be diluted out when examining the parasite population as a whole,” says Marsh. This nonresistant, untreated population is called refugia and is key to the success of current strategic deworming practices. The refugia will shed eggs containing the nonresistant genetic code into the environment and, over time, this will help dilute the drug-resistant parasite population.

Because tapeworms are difficult to identify in f***l examinations, horses should be dewormed for tapeworms biannually or annually with a product containing praziquantel, says Marsh.

Safe Deworming Practices for Adult Horses
“It’s important to note that the aim is not the complete elimination of all parasites within a specific individual,” says Yardley. “Pursuing total eradication is not only unattainable but also leads to the accelerated emergence of drug-resistant parasites.”

Because a heavy burden of internal parasites can cause weight loss, rough hair coats, poor performance, diarrhea, and colic in horses, the deworming plan should target maintaining the health of the horse and prevention of drug-resistant parasites. “F***l egg counts (FECs) are useful to determine the magnitude of egg shedding of an individual horse and the level of pasture contamination,” says Marsh.

After a FEC veterinarians categorize horses as nonshedders (no eggs seen), low shedders (usually less than 150 eggs per gram (EPG), moderate shedders (usually 150-500 EPG), or high shedders (usually more than 500 EPG). The FEC allows veterinarians to more clearly identify horses with consistently higher parasite egg counts. These horses are most likely to show signs of parasitism, such as weight loss, dull coat, or pot belly, and pass large numbers of infective eggs into the environment.

Veterinarians select dewormers based on the FEC results, the horse’s age, and the type of parasite identified or suspected. Repeating the FEC 12-14 days after deworming provides information on the effectiveness of the dewormer used, says Marsh. “The (repeat) test is referred to as a f***l egg count reduction test (FECRT). Essentially, do an FEC, deworm, repeat the FEC, and then use a formula to determine the treatment efficacy. When there is a 95% or greater reduction in parasite egg number in the f***s, then that dewormer is still quite effective.”

Deworming Foals
While strategic targeting works well in adult horses, owners should take a different deworming approach for foals (under 1 year of age), says Yardley. “Younger horses, due to their developing immune systems, should be treated as high shedders from birth to 2 years of age,” he explains. “Typically, high shedders require deworming every four months with a crucial assessment of their status through a f***l egg count.” Foals aged zero through 6 months are especially vulnerable, having a higher population of roundworms in their intestines, he adds. “It’s noteworthy that these roundworms can migrate from the small intestine to the liver and then to the lungs of the foal, potentially leading to clinical signs resembling pneumonia. First deworming should be carried out at about 2-3 months of age, and a benzimidazole drug is recommended to ensure efficacy against ascarids. Second deworming is recommended just before weaning (approximately 4-6 months of age).” Using ivermectin in young foals can be fatal if they have a heavy burden of adult roundworms in their small intestine, says Yardley, so it is important to have an FEC in a young foal before using ivermectin.

Take-Home Message
Most horses do not need to be dewormed as frequently as researchers previously thought. The new equine deworming protocol allows veterinarians and horse owners to tailor the deworming program to each horse. Individualizing deworming strategies can minimize parasite contamination of the environment, improve the horse’s overall health, and limit parasite resistance.

Running Loose: Tackling Chronic Diarrhea in HorsesChronic diarrhea in horses can be a frustrating, elusive challenge for...
05/30/2026

Running Loose: Tackling Chronic Diarrhea in Horses

Chronic diarrhea in horses can be a frustrating, elusive challenge for owners and veterinarians alike. Typically characterized by the continuous or intermittent passage of soft, watery f***s, diarrhea can be linked to underlying colonic abnormalities that lead to intermittent colic (abdominal pain) and an overall decline in body condition, health, and welfare.

Amy Stewart, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA, assistant teaching professor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Raleigh, reviewed the most up-to-date guidelines for investigating equine diarrhea cases at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting and Expo, held Jan. 17-21, in Orlando, Florida.

Chronic Diarrhea in Horses: What It Is, and What It Isn’t
Stewart established that clinical signs of diarrhea in horses vary widely, from a f***s-stained, dirty tail to intermittent colic, sudden weight loss, or periods of reduced appetite. “Evaluating severity can be difficult, as the equine colon’s efficient water resorption can mask ongoing disease,” she said. “I recommend investigating all possible causes rather than assuming a benign ‘f***l water syndrome’ (FWS), particularly if there are additional signs of ill health.”

F***l Water Syndrome and The Role of the Microbiome
“F***l water syndrome affects apparently healthy horses that exhibit intermittent leakage of water before, sometimes during, and/or after passing otherwise normal f***s,” Stewart explained.

Researchers have highlighted the complexity of the equine gut microbiome; both disease and medication can disrupt microbial populations therein, potentially leading to persistent FWS. However, they do not yet know a definitive cause. Additional factors associated with FWS might include stress, dietary imbalance, or types of fiber in the diet. To diagnose f***l water syndrome, Stewart said veterinarians must first exclude underlying causes of true diarrhea.

Causes of Diarrhea in Horses
Diarrhea in horses can be infectious or noninfectious. Common infectious causes include internal parasites—most commonly cyathostomes (small strongyles)—and bacteria such as Salmonella and Clostridium difficile.

“Diagnosing parasitism can be especially challenging when parasites encyst within the colon wall; f***l egg counts (FEC) may not reflect true parasite load,” Stewart said. “And while advanced tests, including serum ELISA for strongyles, show promise, they are not yet standard in the U.S.”

She added that bacterial causes, particularly in chronic Salmonella carriers, can also be difficult to pinpoint due to intermittent and low-level shedding. “Diagnosis often requires repeated or pooled f***l samples and, occasionally, culture of a re**al biopsy,” she said. “Treatment is complicated as antibiotics can prolong shedding. Clostridium-associated diarrhea is most often recognized after antibiotics disrupt normal flora, and diagnosis requires toxin identification.”

Noninfectious causes of diarrhea include sand ingestion and various inflammatory or infiltrative bowel diseases, including lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis/colitis (a rare infiltrative intestinal disease) or neoplasia (abnormal tissue growth) such as lymphoma.

Veterinarians and researchers recognize long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) administration as a cause of right dorsal colitis, commonly manifesting as low blood protein with few external signs. Stewart noted that while foals might experience diarrhea caused by issues in the small intestine, chronic disease of the large intestine is the most common culprit in adults.

Current Diagnostic Options and Limitations
With idiopathic diarrhea cases Stewart follows a progressive diagnostic strategy. She starts with taking a comprehensive history, conducting a thorough physical examination, and running laboratory tests that include blood panels, FEC, and Salmonella testing.

If initial assessments are inconclusive, her next steps include an abdominal ultrasound, radiographs, abdominocentesis (collection of peritoneal fluid), and re**al mucosal biopsies. “The latter is valuable for differentiating inflammatory from neoplastic conditions, while imaging assesses for conditions such as sand accumulation via radiographs or colonic wall thickening via ultrasound,” she said.

Managing Horses with Chronic Diarrhea
Successfully managing chronic diarrhea in horses depends on identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Stewart emphasized the importance of dietary management and carefully reviewing all feed and supplements for potential allergens that could irritate the gut.

For confirmed moderate-to-severe infiltrative bowel diseases, whether inflammatory or neoplastic, veterinarians might recommend immunosuppressive therapies such as steroids. Cases linked to sand ingestion require effective psyllium regimens, while infectious cases call for strict biosecurity and, occasionally, antimicrobial therapy.

Take-Home Message
In all cases of diarrhea in horses, Stewart stressed the importance of ruling out treatable infectious or noninfectious causes of diarrhea before diagnosing a particular patient with the less serious condition f***l water syndrome.

The Horse

Let us remember today and everyday the men and woman that fought for us all to have freedom, but didn’t come home. Their...
05/25/2026

Let us remember today and everyday the men and woman that fought for us all to have freedom, but didn’t come home. Their selflessness is what allows us all here to continue to do the things we love.

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe long weekend, and takes a moment to say thanks to the soldiers that left for us but never returned.

Thank you veteran both past and present 🇺🇸

What to Consider When Feeding Your Horse Nutritional SupplementsNutritional supplements don’t replace a high-quality die...
05/22/2026

What to Consider When Feeding Your Horse Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements don’t replace a high-quality diet and appropriate feeding program, yet many owners use multiple products daily. During his presentation at the 2026 EquiSUMMIT Equine Nutrition & Health Conference, hosted by Kemin Industries, Randel Raub, PhD, of Kent Nutrition, raised several important questions for owners to consider when choosing nutritional supplements.

Who Regulates Equine Nutritional Supplements?
Unlike drugs used to treat or prevent specific health conditions, the industry defines dietary supplements as substances for oral consumption intended for specific benefits other than provision of nutrients beyond normal nutritional needs.

“Nutraceutical supplements, however, are sold under the premise of being a dietary supplement, but for the expressed intent of preventing or treating disease … but that definition now makes them sound like drugs, but unlike drugs these products are not regulated by the FDA,” explained Raub.

In humans the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) regulates manufacturing operations such as quality control and manufacturing standards. The DSHEA does not apply to animal dietary supplements. Instead, the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), an industry organization, provides some guidelines to animal supplement manufacturers regarding safety and efficacy; however it has no regulatory authority over the manufacturers. Companies that meet NASC standards can use its quality seal on product packaging and advertising.

“NASC is essentially trying to improve the quality and integrity of nutritional supplements and work with government officials that try to create an environment that is fair, reasonable, responsible, and nationally consistent,” Raub said.

How Many Supplements Does Your Horse Need?
“There is no lack of supplements available to consumers, and they are marketed under a lot of different premises and promises,” said Raub. “Oftentimes owners oversupplement, resulting in the most expensive urine and manure on the planet.”

In 2008, researchers looked at feeding management practices of top-level eventing horses. They found owners were oversupplementing to the detriment of performance.

“There is a bell curve ranging from deficient to optimal to toxic,” said Raub. “Each supplement typically has a laundry list of other ingredients, and when you start stacking supplements you can get a toxic situation.”

Electrolytes, for example, can be important, especially for horses exercising in hot, humid environments. Some of these products, however, contain excessive added sugars. If the electrolyte supplement you use does not utilize slow-release technology, the horse might respond to a sudden increase in electrolytes by excreting some of them. Repeated electrolyte use over time can exacerbate gastric ulcers, so the form and timing of administration are also important factors to consider, said Raub. Talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about which electrolyte supplement is appropriate for your horse.

Is Your Supplement Cost-Effective?
Using biotin as an example, Raub presented three distinct products:

Product A, which costs $95.99 for 11 pounds; Product B, costing $64.99 for 9.3 pounds; and Product C costing $140 for 1 pound.

Raub recommended considering cost per day per active ingredient when selecting a product. In looking at these options, he found the cost per day per active ingredient was $2.35, $1.09, and $0.75, respectively. “So even though the third supplement is expensive for a small amount, it only contains seven ingredients and is only given at small amounts,” he said. “The initial price doesn’t tell you anything.”

He also warned that some water-based supplements contain mostly water with only small amounts of active ingredients and recommended choosing non-water-based alternatives when possible.

Take-Home Message
Regulatory oversight of equine nutritional supplements remains limited. When buying a supplement for your horse, “look for a guaranteed analysis, which is different than label claims,” said Raub. For example, “if it is a biotin supplement, make sure it has biotin on the ingredient list, not just claims or advertising about biotin.”

Avoid excessive supplementation, which can be detrimental to your horse, Raub said. The better the quality and management of the feeding program, the less reliant owners need to be on supplements.

The Horse

How Does Geography Influence Equine Asthma?Researchers recently found regional differences in the fungi present in the l...
05/20/2026

How Does Geography Influence Equine Asthma?

Researchers recently found regional differences in the fungi present in the lower airways of asthmatic horses, adding to growing evidence that environmental fungal exposure influences airway inflammation and respiratory disease.

The researchers evaluated bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from horses presented to veterinarians for poor performance or respiratory signs across several U.S. ecoregions. They found that neutrophil and eosinophil (types of white blood cells) proportions differed by region, while fungal genera such as Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum also varied geographically. The researchers studied horses in Six ecoregions of North America: Northern Forests, Eastern Temperate Forests, Great Plains, North American Desserts, and Mediterranean California.

The authors noted fungal exposure has long been implicated in equine asthma and inhaling environmental dust particles and mold plays a central role in the disease process.

Managing Dust and Fungal Exposure on Horse Farms
Kathleen Ivester, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, a researcher at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, said current management recommendations continue to focus on reducing dust and improving ventilation on horse farms. She said the regional differences in fungal types reaching horses’ lower airways of horses “might be due to differences in the fungi present in the ambient environment or differences in the fungi released from bedding, hay, or other feed stuffs specific to those regions.”

Ivester added that regional differences in hay production, harvest conditions, and storage methods likely contribute to those exposures. Even good-quality hay can expose horses to fungal spores and fragments, she explained. Feeding your horse hay outside or in well-ventilated areas, steaming hay, or feeding a pelleted forage can help reduce risk. She also noted that large round bales generally release more dust and fungi than high-quality square bales.

Owners should also avoid bedding with visible mold contamination or a musty odor. If using straw bedding, Ivester recommended inspecting it for mold.

Barn Chores and Equine Asthma
Routine barn chores can temporarily increase airborne dust levels, including fungal spores.

“Resuspension of settled dust particles can increase the airborne concentration of particulate matter, including fungal spores, for several hours,” Ivester said. “If possible, activities such as sweeping and mucking out should be performed when horses are not in the barn, particularly those horses that have been diagnosed with asthma.”

For horse owners concerned about environmental exposure, Ivester said measuring dust particles can provide a useful practical indicator, even though direct fungal testing often involves specialized laboratory techniques. “We have developed a real-time monitor to measure dust, designed to be worn on a halter,” she said. “This monitor allows measurement of dust levels in the breathing zone of the horse, providing the best estimate of the amount of dust the horse is exposed to. We hope to make this monitor commercially available in the future, and we are actively using it in our own research.” She added that measuring to identify high-dust activities can provide a good marker for inhaled fungi exposure.

Take-Home Message
Researchers identified regional differences in the fungi found in the lower airways of horses with asthma, suggesting geography and environmental exposure could influence airway inflammation. Until researchers can make region-specific recommendations, reducing dust through good ventilation, careful hay and bedding management, and minimizing airborne particles in the barn remain key strategies for managing equine asthma.

The Horse

Equine Health Emergencies: Plan Ahead for Best OutcomesIf you’ve been around horses long enough, chances are you, or som...
05/18/2026

Equine Health Emergencies: Plan Ahead for Best Outcomes

If you’ve been around horses long enough, chances are you, or someone you know, has had a medical emergency with a horse. Every horse owner will face an equine health emergency at some point, whether big or small. Proper preparation—from first-aid supplies to advanced planning—is key to diffusing a difficult situation.

Know Your Horse
“Understanding your horse is crucial,” says Amy Lawyer, PhD, department chair of Equine Administration and Equine Industry Programs at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky.

This involves recognizing what is normal and abnormal for your horse, as well as knowing how to communicate that to your veterinarian and care team, says Lawyer. Don’t hesitate to contact your vet; many injuries and illnesses must be addressed by professionals. Preparation, awareness of key clinical signs, and clear communication will help you address the issue effectively.

From colic to laminitis, know what to look for by educating yourself, says Lawyer. Veterinary clinic presentations, educational events at universities and extension offices, online videos produced by professionals affiliated with equine practitioners, veterinarian-approved articles on trustworthy websites (such as TheHorse.com), and your own veterinarian can be great resources for further education. Know your horse’s normal vital signs and be comfortable taking them (TheHorse.com/VitalSigns). Use calm moments to practice the following with knowledgeable guidance:

* Heart rate To find your horse’s pulse, feel for it in the lingual artery under the jaw, where it crosses the bone, or listen with a stethoscope on the left side where the girth typically sits. A normal range falls between 28 and 44 beats per minute.
* Temperature To take your horse’s temperature, lubricate a digital thermometer, insert into the re**um, and wait until it beeps. Be sure to hold the thermometer in place or use string to attach a clip and clip it to the horse’s tail. This will help keep track of the thermometer if it falls out or prevent it from being drawn into the horse. A normal range falls between 99-101° F.
* Respiration Check your horse’s respiratory rate by observing the flank or nostrils, or by using a stethoscope. The normal respiratory range falls between 10 and 24 breaths per minute.
* Hydration Gently pinch the horse’s skin along the neck/shoulder to assess hydration; after releasing it, the skin should return to normal within approximately two seconds.
* Gums The horse’s mucous membranes should appear pink and moist. To test capillary refill, press the gums with a finger; the color should return within approximately two seconds.

Your veterinarian(s) could be crucial in an emergency. In addition to knowing your horse well, establishing a strong connection with them ensures cohesive care.

“Build a relationship with your veterinarian so in the event of an emergency, they are already familiar with you and your horse and can assist you as effectively as possible,” says Chelsie Huseman, PhD, an associate professor and extension horse specialist at Texas A&M University, in College Station.

Stock Up on Horse Health Emergency Supplies
Have a set of emergency supplies on hand, stored in one location, such as a plastic tote with lid. Our experts recommend including the following items:
* Stethoscope
* Digital thermometer
* First-aid scissors
* Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) and Bute (phenylbutazone): Lawyer recommends writing dosages on the bottle or tube: “Often, you see milligrams per kilogram, and it can be hard to do that calculation in an emergency situation.”
* Antimicrobial scrub such as Hibiclens (chlorhexidine)
* Antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin
* Cold pack
* Sterile gauze pads
* Cotton sheet wraps
* Standing wraps and pillow wraps
* Cohesive bandages (Vetrap/CoFlex), porous elastic adhesive cloth tape (Elastikon)
* Emergency info tags for halter or mane/tail in case of natural disasters/evacuation
* Duct tape
* Diapers, which “make a great nonstick absorbent padding,” notes Huseman.
* Saline solution
* Latex gloves
* Flashlight or headlamp
* Clean, lint-free towels
* Epsom salts
* Poultice pads such as Animalintex
* Wire cutters
* Extra halters and lead ropes
* A twitch: While some might not like the idea of using a twitch, it is good to have one. “When the horse’s life is on the line and you also need to protect yourself, a twitch can be a useful tool,” notes Lawyer.

By working ahead of time to build a positive relationship with your veterinary team and acquiring the knowledge to confidently act, you will be better prepared for emergencies.“Every first-aid kit needs Bute and Banamine, but these medications require a couple of things,” notes Huseman. “First, you must have a relationship with your vet to obtain these, as they are prescription medications, and second, you need to have the skills to administer those medications.”

Indeed, “to handle all of these items, you must have specific skills,” says Lawyer, who recommends working with your vet to learn proper techniques and dosages. It is better to become confident with techniques without the pressure of an emergency.
“You can learn through reading or online, but applying that knowledge takes some skill,” Huseman says. “I encourage horse owners to spend a day or two shadowing their veterinarian.”

In situations that could pose a danger to the people involved, such as a neurologic horse struggling to stand, Lawyer notes it’s important to recognize that human life takes precedence over the life of the horse.

Plan Ahead for Equine Health Emergencies
Lawyer advises horse owners to meet with the barn owner, manager, and others who care for their horses to discuss what to do in an emergency. Be sure to note who has the authority to make decisions about your horse in your absence and what your budget is for care. If something goes wrong and you can’t be reached, those who care for the horse must know how to decide, including directives for catastrophic care such as whether you’d choose to send a horse to colic surgery. Some barns provide a document for owners to indicate what measures they would elect on behalf of their horses in the event they are unreachable. While difficult to think about, making these arrangements ahead of time will help when minutes count.

“If there were a situation in which you were not available to provide care, think about what paperwork would provide quick and clear guidelines,” says Huseman. “Print this out and save it in a folder at the barn. Even consider asking your vet for a copy of your horse’s medical records.”

Keep this paperwork for your horse accessible, including:
* Contact information for the veterinarian, including after-hours phone numbers and a second or even third veterinary clinic to try in the event practitioners at your clinic are unavailable
* Any medications given to your horse, including dosages
* Negative Coggins test, vaccination records, and any other relevant paperwork
* Insurance basics, including the type of coverage, policy number, and the company’s contact information (more on this in a moment)
* Contact numbers for individuals who can act on your behalf, such as a spouse, close friend, or trainer (Be sure to let them know they are listed as contacts.)
* Any other critical information
Be sure to provide equine insurance information to those who care for any insured horse. “Many insurance policies have stipulations about reporting,” says Lawyer. “Unfortunately, if every step isn’t fulfilled the way it should be, they may deny the claim.”

Huseman says this could include notifying the insurance company before a major procedure, such as colic surgery. She recommends deciding on your maximum budget for veterinary intervention, even considering building equine emergency costs into your personal emergency fund or a separate account.

Transportation in an Emergency
Some emergencies require transporting the horse to a clinic. Lawyer highlights key considerations for making this possible under difficult circumstances:

* Training your horse in advance to easily load in the trailer.
* Having a plan for transport: This might be keeping your own truck and trailer accessible, connecting with a local horse hauler so you have a working relationship, or maintaining personal connections with other horse owners who can help you.
* Knowing the location of equine veterinary referral centers in your area.

“An issue I often encounter in my role in equine extension is horse owners who don’t own a trailer; this can be tricky, particularly in an emergency situation,” notes Huseman. “Horse owners without their own transportation need to have plans in place.” Plan ahead so you’re not caught unprepared in an emergency.

What Constitutes an Emergency?
Depending on the level of experience, one horseperson’s idea of an emergency might be different from another person’s. But there are common problems that, depending on their severity, are emergencies on everyone’s list. These could include the following medical emergencies:
* Colic
* Lameness or leg injuries
* Hoof issues (abscesses, laminitis)
* Lacerations and other wounds
* Choking
* Eye injuries
* Allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
* Dystocia (difficult birth)
* Heatstroke or dehydration
* Toxicity or poisoning
* Temperature over 105 F
There are also plenty of nonmedical emergency situations. These include:
* Barn fire
* Escaped or loose horse
* Natural disasters (floods, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes)
* Trailer accidents or breakdowns
* Horse getting cast or stuck (mud, fence, stall, trailer)
* Theft or vandalism
* Power outage (affecting water pumps, lighting, and security systems)
* Equipment failure (broken fences, stall doors, waterers, tack, etc.)

Preparation Is Key
“Educate yourself so you are prepared,” says Lawyer. “Having a plan and know how reduces stress in emergencies. When you have thought through and planned for worst-case scenarios ahead of time, you often have better outcomes.”

The Horse

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