The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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47 June 2017 THE HORSE TheHorse.com who'd know if a horse is colicking or needs veterinary assistance. In Case of Emergency Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, published the first textbook on technical large animal emergency rescue (TLAER) in 2008. She teaches TLAER techniques across the United States and internationally. Because Gimenez is a Georgia horse- and landowner who travels extensively for work, she knows how to set things up to avoid potential issues or emergencies while she's gone. She also ensures the barn is stocked with plenty of grain, supplements, medi- cations, and hay or forage for the care- taker to use. "They also have one of my credit cards to use to purchase anything in an emergency, such as fencing sup- plies, medical supplies, veterinary care, and feed or hay if needed. Sometimes I am out of town for four to six weeks, so they need to be flexible to be able to take care of any challenge without having to attempt to contact me." Be sure your caretakers have quick access to resources and professionals. "My caretaker has the cell phone number to my veterinarian, so that they can be reached night or day," she says. "They have the key to my spare truck, which is always left hitched to my horse trailer, facing down the driveway, with fuel in the vehicle and registration in the con- sole. If there is a medical emergency or they need to evacuate animals, and they only need to load the horses to leave—it is ready to go. "For medical emergencies I have first-aid supplies all in one place—with emergency medications in the refrigera- tor, as well," Gimenez adds. Take-Home Message "When we leave on vacation, we are willing to accept that whatever happens will happen and we will deal with it," says Nevin. "When you are leaving horses behind and one ends up injured or lame, you can't blame your caretaker; you just have to realize that horses can do a crazy thing when I'm there, or they could do it when I'm 5,000 miles away." h What Your Farm-Sitter Wants to Know Diana Johnson, a Western Washington horse- and landowner, has been farm-sitting for 10 years, sometimes traveling to properties sever- al hours from her home. "I make sure that everything is written down for me, including veterinarian contacts, feeding directions, and emergency instructions," she says. Specifically, Johnson likes to have/know: ■ A detailed written feeding routine, especially if there's more than one or two horses. ■ Each horse's name, preferably on a stall card with feed/medications. ■ If there's enough feed (hay, grain, etc.) on hand. ■ Feed store locations for supplies. ■ If any horses need medications and where those are stored. ■ First-aid supplies and emergency management protocol in writing. ■ Expectations as far as handling the horses—feeding, cleaning stalls, longeing, turnout/no turnout. ■ The veterinarian's name and phone number and if he or she knows I'm going to be there. Also include dog and cat vet information. ■ If I have authorization to contact the veterinarian if something happens. Do I need to know how to pay for this? ■ What horses get turned out and when, where, and with whom. ■ The farrier's name and phone number. ■ If I'm expected to stay on the property 24/7. Is it okay if I'm gone during the day? ■ If I should contact the owners in case of an emergency. Clarify what constitutes a "real" emergency and their contact info during the trip. ■ All contact numbers, including those for neighbors, in one place. ■ If there are boarders, contact information as well as special instructions for those horses. ■ The house address in writing, posted both in the house and in the barn, in case I need to relay it to emergency professionals. ■ Enough (human) food on hand for at least a few meals. I can shop for myself after I get the routine figured out. ■ If there's a grocery store, gas station, restaurants close by. ■ If I'm expected to perform household tasks such as vacuuming, changing the bedding, etc. ■ If I'm responsible for getting the mail and taking out the trash, or if those services have been held.—Alayne Blickle