• After a long day you check on your horse in his pasture before bringing him in for his evening feeding. As he walks into the barn you notice that he is slow, lethargic, and not excited to eat.
• As you call the horses in, you notice that one horse is limping severely on his left front leg. The horse’s leg is slightly warm, slightly swollen, and painful at the walk.
• When checking on the horses after their evening meal you notice that one horse did not eat his grain and is lying down in the stall.

I often get emergency calls from horse owners that fall into these relatively common scenarios. These scenarios may need veterinary attention and they should not necessarily be completely handled by the owner. You should call your veterinarian. But what should you do before you call the vet?

Anytime your horses is dull, lethargic, off his food, lying down or even ADR (”ain’t doin’ right”), take his rectal temperature. Your horse’s temperature is a vital piece of information and will help your vet understand what may be happening in your horse. A normal temperature is between 98.5°F and 100.5°F. Do not give oral Bute or Banamine before taking your horse’s temperature. Bute and Banamine will affect and/or mask your horse’s fever.

If your horse has a fever, take away his hay and grain. Your horse may not want hay and grain anyway, but some horses will continue to eat — depending on the severity of the fever and how long the fever has been going on. Your horse’s GI motility may be compromised and allowing your horse to continue to eat may lead to an impaction.

When presented with the above scenarios where the horse is lying down or lethargic, try to assess other basic parameters. When was the last time your horse passed manure? What does it look like? When did your horse last drink and was it a normal amount? Are there any other physical problems such as coughing, nasal discharge or swollen lymph nodes? If you are able to, assess your horse’s heart and respiratory rates.

In the scenario above where the horse has a painful leg, it is important to assess that limb. Is there any swelling and heat anywhere in the leg and hoof? Does the horse have a strong digital pulse (you may not know how to take this assessment)? Look at the bottom of the foot. Clean the bottom of the foot thoroughly and look for soft spots and holes that seem abnormal. Press firmly with your finger along the coronary band (where the hair and hoof meet) especially in the heel area. Is there any painful reaction that may indicate an abcess?

In all cases, do not be afraid to call your veterinarian. All veterinarians should appreciate an early “heads up” as to a potential emergency. Your veterinarian can also help you better assess the situation over the phone. And your veterinarian can respond quickly if your horse requires immediate attention. Don’t put off the call to your vet.

I had the privilege yesterday to hear Dr. Dean Richardson of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center speak retrospectively about his experiences caring for Barbaro. Dr. Richardson was the leading veterinarian directing Barbaro’s surgical and medical care after Barbaro’s catostrophic injury at the Preakness. As we all know, despite the heroic efforts of Dr. Richardson and his staff and the unwavering dedication of Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro was euthanized due to multiple limb laminitis in January of this year.

Dr. Richardson spoke to the members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) rewarding us with a rare glimpse into the details of caring for the world’s most loved and famous horse. The medical details were interesting, but more than the technical specifics of Barbaro’s care, I was moved by the compassion Dr. Richardson showed for his patient and for the Jacksons, almost a year after the end of Barbaro’s life. From listening to Dr. Richardson speak I am also moved by how, even in the face of so much media attention and so much scrutiny generally, the welfare of Barbaro was always first in every decision in his prolonged medical care.

Dr. Richardson is great example of my profession, a great representative of the AAEP, and a great horseman.

I attended the Public Policy Committee meeting yesterday at the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) Convention in Orlando, FL. Among other issues, the committee discussed the “Preserving Our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act,” previously known as the Right-to-Ride Act, currently in the US Congress. In addition, the Equine Equity Act was discussed as was the Unwanted Horse Coalition. You can see a more complete list of legislative issues currently affecting the horse industry here.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition is a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council (AHC) to educate the horse industry about the unwanted horse issue. The organization aims to educate owners, breeders, sellers and other organizations about the long term responsibility of owning and caring for hroses. Their focus is on helping horses before they become unwanted.

Visit the Unwanted Horse Coalition web site at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.