First aid and transport of horses with orthopedic emergencies: What’s worth knowing!

Abstract

Horses are considered prey in nature and, because of this, they have anatomical and physiological characteristics that facilitate their escape. However, they can suffer milder orthopedic accidents such as abrasions when encountering damaged fences, injuries from tree branches or even fractures when falling into ditches or wells. The objective of this article is to describe step-by-step first aid, including pain management, preparation for rescue, and transport to a reference center so that the owner, veterinarian and/or rescuer can manage this animal safely, quickly and assertively.