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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22 TheHorse.com THE HORSE December 2017 kind of colic in the past year—and that can discourage people from calling out the veterinarian in milder cases," Isgren says. And some plans won't cover colic for horses over a certain age. Read the policy's details, and be sure you understand how it works before sign- ing with an insurance company. Make Decisions Ahead of Time It's okay to establish limits, both financial and emotional. You can decide how much you're willing to put you and your horse through in the event of seri- ous colic. But the time to establish those limits isn't when he's thrashing about or droopy-headed and doped-up, waiting for your approval for surgery. The time for that is now—when your head is clear and when you're not fatigued from hours of waiting and worrying. "It's always during these highly emotional, high-pressure situations that big decisions—literally life and death decisions—are being made," Anderson says. "But it doesn't have to be that way." Sit down with family or friends and have a serious discussion. Talk about finances, what you can afford, and the horse's market and sentimental value. "These aren't easy things to talk about," she says, "but a decision now is going to relieve a lot of the stress and emotional angst that come with a colic crisis later." And know that it's okay to choose eu- thanasia, Anderson adds. "No veterinar- ian is going to judge an owner for opting for a humane end of life for financial reasons when a horse is suffering," she says. Your insurance policy might also affect your decision. "Some policies require that a horse have surgery if he's covered for mortality; otherwise they won't pay," Anderson says. Whatever your choice, make sure you communicate it clearly to friends, family, your veterinarian, and anyone who takes care of your horse during your absence. "Never leave your horse in someone's care, not even overnight, without clear instructions about what to do in the event of emergency," Anderson says. "There's nothing worse than needing to go into surgery with a seriously ill horse and still waiting for news from a missing owner." Take-Home Message You can never prepare fully for colic. It will always take you by surprise and probably at the least convenient time. But you can put a few plans in place and study up before colic hits to navigate the episode as smoothly as possible. When you're prepared, you'll be less panicked and better equipped to provide your horse care. You'll also know you've done right by your horse, no matter the outcome. h What's Your COLIC Contingency Plan? Make sure you have a dry, accessible, well-lit area for the veterinarian to examine your horse and that the horse is in the barn when he or she arrives. DUSTY PERIN