TLC on prescription

Horses may be admitted to an equine hospital for a variety of reasons, which could be anything from routine surgical procedures to medical emergencies. But, one thing you can be sure of if your horse has surgery, whether planned or unexpected, is that during his hospital stay, he will be looked after to the highest standards while being closely monitored to ensure his recovery is progressing well.

The postoperative care your horse receives and how long he remains in hospital will largely depend on the type of surgery carried out and how well he responds to treatment. Then, once the veterinary team is happy for him to be discharged, you’ll be given guidance on how to continue caring for him in his own home so you can get him back on his feet as soon as possible.

On waking up

Once your horse’s surgery has been completed, he will be carefully transferred using a winch into a padded recovery box near the operating theatre. Depending on your horse’s size and temperament, he may require some help to get safely to his feet as the anaesthetic gases wear off and this may come in the form of a rope-assisted recovery system. For this, ropes are attached to the horse’s head and tail and pulley guides support his weight, helping him get to his feet gradually while he’s still unco-ordinated from the anaesthetic.

Once your horse is up and fully awake, he’ll be taken back to his stable and started on a feeding chart, being fed little and often to avoid choke or colic. He’ll be monitored regularly over the next few hours to make sure he’s recovering well and not experiencing any complications.

Did you know?

Once your horse is awake, your vet team will call you to let you know how the surgery has gone and what to expect. You may be given a timeline on recovery, and when your horse is expected go home.

Learn more about caring for your horse post-operation in March Horse&Rider – grab your copy today!