Your horse horse breaks his leg

11 May 2011 16:55

A kick or fall are the most likely causes of a broken leg, and the severity of the injury means your horse will be severely lame, holding the affected leg off the ground or at least keeping weight off it. While a broken leg is serious and often fatal, some injuries can be treated.

What to do

Call your vet immediately and keep your horse as still as possible until he arrives. If it’s a bad break your horse may go into shock (signs include anxiety, depression or a dazed look, a rapid or weakened pulse and pale mucous membranes) so reassure him and keep him warm until the vet arrives. If the accident happened in the field, ask someone to keep other horses away.