FRACTURED LIMB

If you find your horse with a broken leg, try to maintain your composure so you can keep him from moving, staunch any bleeding and, possibly, stabilize the limb until help arrives.

► Immediately: Keep the horse as calm and still as possible. Do not walk him or allow him to take a single step on his own. Instead, ask others to make the area around him as safe as possible. If it will help, offer the horse hay and water and/or bring another horse to stand nearby. You may be tempted to hold up the injured limb to keep the horse from putting weight on it, but keep in mind that 10, 15 or even 30 minutes may pass before help arrives. You might also put yourself at risk if the horse is unstable. If he is holding up the limb himself, it’s best to just let him be.

► Immediately: Stay with the horse. Use your cell phone or scream for help if you must. Do not let go of the horse, even if you think he can’t move. Horses have turned minor, survivable

fractures into catastrophic ones by escaping their handlers and running off in a panic.

► Immediately: Control any significant bleeding. If the fracture is open and spurting bright red arterial blood, apply direct pressure with a towel, saddle pad or even your shirt to staunch it. This may be painful for the horse, so be extremely careful. If the wound is only trickling darker blood, there is no need to apply pressure.