Owning a horse can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, horses are powerful, athletic animals with an uncanny ability to injure themselves. When these injuries occur, or when serious diseases manifest, prompt treatment can increase the odds of a successful outcome. Unfortunately, emergencies are always a surprise and due to the strong human/animal bond and the emotional and financial commitments we have to our horses, tremendous stress can be placed on owners, trainers, and barn managers during these situations.

Listed below are some of the more common equine emergencies, along with helpful hints for managing care and alleviating the anxiety associated with these trying events.

Colic, an all-encompassing term meaning abdominal pain, is probably one of the scariest words that any equestrian can hear. We receive more colics at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center than any other emergency condition. Symptoms of colic can be mild, such as decreased appetite, or severe, such as violent rolling. Other signs include pawing, flank watching, stretching (possibly with frequent urination), decreased manure production, phlemon (curling lip), and generalized malaise. It is imperative that you contact your veterinarian at the first signs of colic because he or she is trained to assess the problem and provide critical treatment and/or recommend prompt referral to an emergency facility if needed. Until the animal is seen by a veterinarian, feed must be withheld, and, if it is possible to safely do so, heart and respiratory rates, gastrointestinal sounds, temperature, and manure production should be closely monitored.

Lacerations or wounds are the next most common condition admitted to the center's ER. A horse's lower limb has very little soft tissue protection and small, seemingly innocuous cuts can sometimes turn into crippling injuries. Furthermore, lacerations to the body may penetrate the chest or abdominal cavities putting patients at even greater risk of serious complications. Lacerations require immediate evaluation by a veterinarian. Until the veterinarian arrives or the horse is brought to a hospital, the wound surface should be gently cleaned and pressure bandages applied to control bleeding and swelling.

Although less common than colic and lacerations, a sudden onset of lameness can develop from a serious injury or infection. The most frequent causes of abrupt and severe lameness are foot abscesses, followed by infected joints and fractures. It is critical that horses be examined by a veterinarian when severe lameness occurs as infected joints require prompt treatment and non-weight bearing lameness can lead to problems in the opposite limb. Fractures may necessitate stabilization to prevent further injury and possible repair. Until examination by a veterinarian, the horse should be kept as quiet as possible with minimal movement of the affected limb.

When an emergency arises, owners are encouraged to contact their primary veterinarian immediately and to notify their insurance provider if applicable. If referral is necessary, it may also be helpful to bring a friend along for emotional support and to have a cell phone available during transport in case additional assistance is required. Upon arrival at the hospital, clients need to be prepared to provide as much information as possible about the injury and about their horse's health history. It is also important that owners ask questions and fully understand the circumstances in order to make appropriate decisions. Because conditions can change quickly, owners are advised to remain available for consultation by phone or in-person.

To be ready for an emergency, having a referral hospital selected in advance with directions to that hospital, a plan for transport and information about check-in at the hospital is recommended. In addition, individuals should have an understanding of what financial, physical therapy, and management responsibilities they are able to undertake. Above all, owners must remember that even the most docile horse may inadvertently cause serious harm to their handlers when in pain so the use of extreme caution is advised when working with an anxious horse.

The primary mission of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center's Emergency and Critical Care Service is to provide optimal care to patients presented for emergency diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians and staff at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to accept equine emergencies. If you have any questions, please call us at 703/771-6800.

Dr. Dukti is a clinical assistant professor in emergency care and equine surgery at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center. She can be reached at sdukti@vt.edu. To view her online profile, visit www.equinemedicalcenter.net. Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is a premier full-service equine hospital located in Leesburg, Va., that offers advanced specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment and diagnostic services for all ages and breeds of horses. One of three campuses that comprise the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the center and its team of equine specialists are committed to providing exceptional treatment to patients, superior service to clients and cutting-edge research to the equine industry.