While I can share personal experiences and successful methods, I've used caring for my own horses, I'm not a veterinarian and cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions. The most ethical advice I can offer begins with, "Reach out to your veterinarian.”
In my previous post, I emphasized becoming a Horse Detective because, chances are, you know your horse better than anyone. But many situations fall into gray areas—stress signals that could indicate minor management issues or the early stages of something more serious. Learning to navigate these situations effectively can make the difference between a minor incident and a major crisis.
Trust Your Instincts—Even When You Can't Explain Them
I once had an ex-racehorse named Razzle who was exceptionally athletic but whenever I worked him, he exhibited general malaise. What many people would label “lazy” or exhibiting a lack of “try.” He’d had surgery to remove bone chips and was declared “good to go”––back to the track where he came up lame again and was retired. It appeared reasonable to believe his knees caused discomfort, as he was never lazy except during works. At that time, I hadn't yet grasped that laziness might serve as a way to communicate.
When I had him at a vet clinic for dental work, I asked the vet about x-raying Razzle's knees to check for arthritis. The vet shrugged and said, "Odds are, he has arthritis given his history,” he watched my face form an expression of puzzlement.
“What would you do differently if the x-rays showed arthritis?"
I gave that a lot of thought. More surgery was out of the question. I couldn’t afford to start, and the prospect of more surgical procedures on already impaired joints seemed like a nonsensical choice.
Why spend money on x-rays when I already knew what he needed?
This experience imparted a valuable lesson: before opting for costly diagnostic tests, consider how their outcomes would influence your treatment choices. Often, your intuition is guiding you correctly.
The Challenge of Gray Areas
The most challenging situations are those where your horse seems slightly "off" but isn't showing obvious distress. They might need monitoring rather than immediate intervention, but how do you know when careful observation crosses the line into dangerous delay?
Your documentation skills become invaluable here. Record exactly what you're observing: timing, duration, intensity, and potential triggers. This information helps veterinarians make informed decisions and provides baseline data for tracking changes. Remember, stress clouds memory—write things down so you can give your vet precise observations when you do call.
Generally, if symptoms are mild, stable, and your horse is still eating, drinking, and interacting normally, you might have time for careful monitoring while investigating causes. However, this doesn't mean ignoring the situation—be prepared to escalate quickly if things change.
When Experience Taught Me My Limits
A few years back, this system was put to the test in a way that taught me a crucial lesson about knowing my limitations. A horse I was boarding didn't come to breakfast—always a red flag. Walking out to check on her, I could see she was in distress. She'd been sweating and had dirt on her indicating she'd been down and thrashing.
I called her owner, a knowledgeable horsewoman who always teams up with me on colics, even if just for moral support. We set about our emergency response, monitoring vital signs and trying our usual supportive measures. The mare wasn't actively showing colic signs—no pawing or biting at her sides—but she wasn't responding as we hoped.
It was the horse's reaction to belly lifts that sent my friend to her phone to report we were in crisis. Belly lifts involve one person on each side of the horse with a towel underneath, gently lifting to a count of ten and releasing slowly to a count of fifteen. This technique offers support and comfort—like when a person doubles over and holds their stomach. Horses can't do that naturally, so the towel provides that kind of relief.
But this mare reacted by kicking out violently when we attempted the belly lift. That told us everything we needed to know—we stopped immediately and called for emergency veterinary help.
The Heartbreaking Reality
As it turned out, the mare had a strangulated gut. A hanging lipoma—a fatty tumor that develops as horses age—had twisted around her intestine, creating a complete blockage. This condition cuts off blood supply to the affected intestine, causing intense pain and requiring immediate surgical intervention to save the horse's life.
She was old and already extremely stressed from the condition. Surgery would have meant trailering her to a surgical facility, putting her under anesthesia, and subjecting her to major abdominal surgery with questionable chances of success given her age and condition. After consulting with the veterinarian, surgery was ruled out, and the difficult decision was made to end her suffering through euthanasia.
The Lesson in Loss
This experience taught me that no amount of preparation, experience, or good intentions can address every situation. Sometimes our role as caregivers means recognizing when we've reached the limits of what we can provide and making the hardest decisions in our horses' best interests.
The belly lift reaction was crucial information—it told us this wasn't a situation we could manage with supportive care. That mare's violent response to what should have been a comforting technique was her way of telling us the pain was beyond what conservative treatment could address.
Smart Communication with Your Vet
If you think you might need a vet soon, call ahead. Let them know you're monitoring a situation that could require attention. This heads-up allows them to consider their schedule and be prepared to respond promptly if needed. Emergencies are disruptive to everyone—a preemptive call helps your veterinarian serve you and their other clients better.
Moving Forward with Wisdom
The theme throughout this series has been developing observational skills and investigative thinking rather than seeking quick fixes. This approach serves you well when making decisions about professional help: better observations lead to more effective communication with veterinarians and better outcomes for your horses.
But equally important is developing the wisdom to know your limitations. Experience teaches us not just what we can handle, but also when we're facing something beyond our capabilities. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for our horses is to call for help—or even to let them go.
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