| Yesterday, I told you about your horse's brain box | | | | * Mobility Test - Do this ONLY if he's already |
| and how it protects his brain in the event of a | | | | standing. Try to get him to follow you. Horses are |
| forceful head trauma. You also learned that the | | | | herd animals by nature, so this instinct should kick in |
| construction of the brain box makes it unlikely that a | | | | without his thinking about it. If he does follow you, |
| head injury will result in a brain injury. | | | | that's another good thing. If, however, he can't put |
| Today, I'm going to give you 3 simple field tests you | | | | one leg in front of the other without stumbling, that |
| can perform with your horse in the field. When you | | | | could indicate neurological trauma - call a vet now. |
| learn them, you'll be able to tell the difference | | | | * Consciousness Test - This is perhaps the most |
| between a minor horse head injury and a real | | | | important observation you can make. It's a horse's |
| veterinary emergency. You don't have to be an | | | | nature to be constantly alert for threats from |
| equine vet to use them. And they could save your | | | | predators. So if your horse is up and alert, he's |
| horse's life. | | | | probably in no danger at all. If he's sluggish, but still |
| The first 24 hours after a head injury are the most | | | | responds to your handling, he needs to see a vet, |
| critical. If your horse has, indeed, injured his brain, the | | | | but the situation probably isn't urgent. If, however, |
| next 24 will be the time he'll show symptoms. That's | | | | he's comatose and so lethargic that he cannot be |
| why you'll want to spend as much time with in your | | | | aroused, then you do have a medical emergency on |
| horse's presence during this period as you can. | | | | your hands. Get a vet out there now. |
| During this time, you can run a few simple tests to | | | | You'll also want to check his pupils. When the pupils |
| check your horse for a possible brain injury. These | | | | are really big, we call them dilated. When they're |
| are easy observations. You don't have to be a vet | | | | really small, we call them contracted. You probably |
| to perform them. Nor do you need any special | | | | already keep a flashlight in your barn. Get one and |
| equipment other than what you probably already | | | | shine it in your horse's eyes. His pupils should contract |
| have in your own barn. | | | | when you do. If they don't, you've got a serious |
| Before I tell you what they are, I want to give you | | | | problem, and you need your vet on-site ASAP. |
| one important note: if your horse has had a head | | | | Another indicator is his breathing. If your horse's |
| injury and he is lying down, don't try to force him to | | | | breathing becomes very rapid, that is also not a good |
| get up. If he attempts it on his own, that's a good | | | | sign. Call your vet immediately and tell him you've got |
| sign, but don't help him. Even though you desperately | | | | real horse emergency on your hands. |
| want to. | | | | Any of the dangerous signs I've described above |
| Remember, he's 10-20 times your weight, and if he | | | | could mean that your horse has swelling of the brain |
| does have a brain injury, he may panic, go into | | | | (the veterinary term is "increased intracranial |
| convulsions, and become agitated at his inability to | | | | pressure"). Your horse's brain box doesn't allow much |
| stand up. If that happens, he may lose his balance, | | | | room for the brain to swell. So if you your horse fails |
| and fall over on top of you. Then you'll have 2 | | | | any of the above tests, you have an emergency |
| injuries to deal with - his and yours, too. | | | | situation and you need to take action to save your |
| So if you're on site with your horse who has had a | | | | horse's life immediately. |
| head injury, here's what to do (and what not to do). | | | | Thankfully, horse head injuries seldom result in brain |
| * Vision Test - Hold up one finger about 8 inches | | | | injuries. The brain box offers a lot of protection for |
| away from your horse's eye. Move it back and forth. | | | | your horse. But if the unthinkable should happen, your |
| If he follows your finger with his eye, you at least | | | | knowing the warning signs could save your horse's |
| know he can still see and his brain is reacting to an | | | | life. |
| external stimulus. This is a good thing. | | | | |