How to keep a horse upright in the stable or clinic

During hospitalization we are encountered with medical/surgical conditions where a horse will need to be kept in a standing position during the recovery period. Examples of medical/surgical conditions where a horse may need to be maintained in an upright position may include severed tendons, traumatic synovitis / capsulitis, long bone fractures, pelvic fractures, and a variety of neurological conditions. Methods that have been utilized can range from a simple highline to the more labor- intensive sling support. During the talk the speaker will be discussing how to use a highline, how to make a tie stall and how to properly use a sling support.

Highline Set Up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QozEodvmX0M

• Rope
  • 3/8-inch Diameter 
  • 3 Strand Poly
  • Strength > 3000 lbs.
• Prusik loops
• Swivel
  • Climbing Grade. Ball Bearing Swivels that rotate freely
  • 35 kN (Kilonewton)= > 7000 lb. strength
• Carabiner
  • Climbing Grade with a 25 kN > 5000 lb.

Slinging

Assisting a horse to stand using a sling support can be dangerous and therefore precautions regarding the use of slings should be understood by all attending personnel. Sedation and or general anesthesia should be used when the patient is struggling or attempting to stand up. In all circumstances we must remember that recumbent horses are unpredictable even when sedated ; arousal or violent activity can occur abruptly, and cause injury. Personnel should be made fully aware of this potential to minimize human injury. With this precaution in mind and recognizing that a series of training sessions might be necessary, a minimum of 4 people should place a horse in a sling. One to operate the hoist, 1 to control the head, and 1 or 2 to assist the horses stand via tail support and 1 toencourage the horses stand and place the horses’ limbs in the appropriate position. It is ideal to have adequate bedding consistent of wood shavings and /or straw to be placed under the patient before attempting to lift it so as to provide improved footing and prevent traumatic injury. Various slings are commercially available. Being familiar with the design benefits and potential drawbacks aids practitioners in selecting the ideal sling for use in recumbent horses.

1) https://www.andersonsling.com/
2) https://www.liftex.com/animal-slings

A horse in a sling should be constantly monitored for signs of fatigue, prevented from rotational activity and observe signs for intolerance. Horse that is fatigued in a sling would typically paw and shift weight frequently or hang in the sling. The speaker tends to allow the horses to learn how to utilize the sling to its own benefit and allow them to hang. Ideally, we tend to not allow the sling to be lowered, so the horse can sit and sternal recumbency. I tend not to lower the sling is because without constant monitoring the horse may try to stand when the sling is down and get its foot trapped in a sling, which would cause increased anxiety and catastrophic injuries. If a horse continues a fight in the sling support which can occur occasionally then the sling will have to be removed because severe injury can occur.

The duration of support depends on the primary disease process. Horses can be maintained in a sling anywhere from days to months to successfully assist in the recovery. Although labor intensive and expensive, providing sling support for horses can be lifesaving. [...]