09/09/2026
Recently, I’ve been seeing more horse emergencies where owners are completely unprepared.
Owning a horse means being prepared for the difficult situations too—not just the fun stuff.
Do you have a stocked first-aid kit and basic emergency medications? Do you know how to give an IM injection—and, if your veterinarian directs you to, are you capable of administering IV medication? Are you established with a good equine veterinarian who makes farm calls? Do you have a backup veterinarian?
Do you have access to a truck and trailer at 2 a.m.? An emergency veterinary fund? A plan for getting your horse to a hospital if necessary?
And the hardest questions: If your horse is suffering and emergency euthanasia becomes necessary, are you emotionally prepared to make that decision and capable of following through? Do you have a plan for removing your horse’s body? Do you know what happens afterward?
These aren’t fun things to think about, but they are part of responsible horse ownership.
Your barn owner can help. Your trainer can help. Your experienced horse friends can help.
But ultimately, your horse is your responsibility.
Make the plan before you need it. An emergency is a terrible time to start figuring everything out.
