If you spend any time with horses, eventually you will run into some type of emergency, and its best to be preparedKnow your horses normal behavior so you can tell when something is wrong. From colic to laminitis, educate yourself so you can spot the signs early. | iStockIf youve 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 preparationfrom first-aid supplies to advanced planningis key to diffusing a difficult situation.Know Your HorseUnderstanding 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. Dont 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 horses 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 horses 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 horses temperature, lubricate a digital thermometer, insert into the rectum, 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 horses 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 horses 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 horses skin along the neck/shoulder to assess hydration; after releasing it, the skin should return to normal within approximately two seconds.Gums The horses 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 SuppliesHave 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:StethoscopeDigital thermometerFirst-aid scissorsBanamine (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 NeosporinCold packSterile gauze padsCotton sheet wrapsStanding wraps and pillow wrapsCohesive bandages (Vetrap/CoFlex), porous elastic adhesive cloth tape (Elastikon)Emergency info tags for halter or mane/tail in case of natural disasters/evacuationDuct tapeDiapers, which make a great nonstick absorbent padding, notes Huseman.Saline solutionLatex glovesFlashlight or headlampClean, lint-free towelsEpsom saltsPoultice pads such as AnimalintexWire cuttersExtra halters and lead ropesA twitch: While some might not like the idea of using a twitch, it is good to have one. When the horses 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 its important to recognize that human life takes precedence over the life of the horse.Plan Ahead for Equine Health EmergenciesLawyer 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 cant be reached, those who care for the horse must know how to decide, including directives for catastrophic care such as whether youd 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 horses medical records.RELATED CONTENT | Podcast: Planning for Equine EmergenciesKeep 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 unavailableAny medications given to your horse, including dosagesNegative Coggins test, vaccination records, and any other relevant paperworkInsurance basics, including the type of coverage, policy number, and the companys 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 informationBe 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 isnt 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 EmergencySome emergencies require transporting the horse to a clinic. Lawyer highlights key considerations for making this possible under difficult circumstances:Train your horse to load in a trailer so that in an emergency, when time is of the essence and emotions are high, you have one less thing to worry about. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The HorseTraining 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 dont 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 youre not caught unprepared in an emergency.What Constitutes an Emergency?Depending on the level of experience, one horsepersons idea of an emergency might be different from another persons. But there are common problems that, depending on their severity, are emergencies on everyones list. These could include the following medical emergencies:ColicLameness or leg injuriesHoof issues (abscesses, laminitis)Lacerations and other woundsChokingEye injuriesAllergic reactions or anaphylaxisDystocia (difficult birth)Heatstroke or dehydrationToxicity or poisoningTemperature over 105 FThere are also plenty of nonmedical emergency situations. These include:Barn fireEscaped or loose horseNatural disasters (floods, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes)Trailer accidents or breakdownsHorse getting cast or stuck (mud, fence, stall, trailer)Theft or vandalismPower outage (affecting water pumps, lighting, and security systems)Equipment failure (broken fences, stall doors, waterers, tack, etc.)Preparation Is KeyEducate 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.