First aid for horses: structured emergency response

In a horse emergency, the first minutes count. Calm and structured action secures the horse, alerts the vet and transmits useful observations. This guide shows the structural flow and what the sharer can do, without recommending treatments.

Basic rule: structure, don't treat

Most important rule: sharer structures the situation, secures and observes. Treatments are exclusively the vet's. Includes mild home remedies and OTC medication.

This discipline protects both horse and sharer. Acting independently risks harming the horse and puts the sharer in bad liability position.

Five-step flow

Step 1: Secure. Horse in safe environment. Box, tie, or out of immediate danger.

Step 2: Call the vet. First number. Briefly describe situation (which horse, which stable, symptoms). She decides whether to come or recommend the clinic.

Step 3: Inform the owner. In parallel or just after.

Step 4: Observe and document. Breathing, heart rate, mucous color, visible injuries. With timestamps.

Step 5: Wait safely. Until vet or owner. Don't leave alone. Calm, water if conscious, warmth if cold.

What the vet needs on the phone

• Who and where. Name, stable, address, box number, callback.
• Which horse. Name, age, breed, identification.
• What happened. When observed, how, what changed.
• Symptoms. Concrete observations not interpretations.
• Vital values if known.
• History. Colic history, allergies, continuous medication.
• Owner reachable. Yes or no, with number.

GST and SVPM standardize these elements.

Measurable vital values without training

• Breathing frequency. Flank movements per minute. Normal 8-16.
• Heart rate / pulse. Inside of lower jaw (facial artery). Normal 28-44.
• Mucous membrane color. Mouth. Normal pink and moist. Abnormal: pale, yellow, blue, very red, dry.
• Temperature. Rectal with horse thermometer. Normal 37.0-38.0 °C.

Not diagnostic. Information for the vet.

Different emergencies

• Colic (rolling, sweating, agitation): vet immediately. Don't force standing. See Colic.
• Bleeding: Pressure with sterile compress. Vet.
• Lameness: Horse at rest, no riding. Vet or farrier.
• Breathing distress: Calm, fresh air, vet immediately.
• Neurological: Secure, don't force movement, vet.
• Heat stroke: Shade, cool wet wipe, vet.
• Eye or mouth injury: No own treatment, vet.

Stable first-aid kit

• Bandages and sterile compresses
• Elastic wraps
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Horse thermometer
• Warm blanket
• Disposable gloves
• Note with vet emergency number
• Pen and paper

Content defined by owner or manager. Sharer doesn't add medication.

Swiss emergency infrastructure

• Practice vet with phone and emergency number.
• Regional equine emergency service via Swiss Equestrian.
• Nearest 24h equine clinic.
• Owner with two numbers.
• Stable manager with phone.

All on the emergency notice (see Emergency plan).

Frequently asked questions

First moments? Secure, call vet, inform owner, observe.

When to call immediately? Colic, bleeding, acute lameness, breathing distress, unconsciousness, deep injury, neurological.

Values for vet? Breathing, heart rate, temperature, mucous color.

Sharer never does what? Administer medication, suture, transport without instruction.

Kit content? Bandages, compresses, scissors, thermometer, blanket, gloves, numbers.

Sources

• GST
• SVPM
• Swiss Equestrian
• Horse keeping (FSVO)

Document emergency data in HorseCompanion

Emergency contacts, history and medication kept per horse. Immediately available on phone. Start for free

Updated: June 2026