Is it a horse-related emergency?
Find out what situations would be classified as an equine emergency.
Examples of situations classed as an emergency:
Horses will lie down to sleep so it is important wherever possible to distinguish between a horse which is collapsed and one which is simply lying down.
Where the horse is unable to put one foot to the floor or clearly unable to put any weight on one limb. Horses will often ‘rest’ a hind leg when they’re standing, so it is important wherever possible to distinguish between a lame horse and one which is resting a leg.
This is a serious condition which affects the hooves of the horse and severely affected animals will have a ‘pottery’ walk and may stand in a particular way, leaning back on their heels to relieve the weight on their front legs.
Anything which is obviously causing serious pain or distress to the horse.
Anything which is obviously causing serious pain or distress to the horse.This could include caught in fencing, stuck in a ditch, tangled in a tether or anything similar.
Please note: this list of emergency situations is not exhaustive – if the situation you’re concerned about isn’t on the list but you do think it’s an emergency, please give us a call on our welfare line using the details below.
