Management and Problems Associated with Recumbent Horses

MANAGEMENT AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RECUMBENT HORSES

Introduction
A variety of circumstances may result in a horse becoming recumbent and unable to rise. Prolonged recumbency results in many complications for horses depending on their size, temperament, and the physical setting the horse finds itself in. It was considered by some that a ‘down horse was a dead horse’ because efforts attempting to aid recumbent horses often failed. It has been our experience that knowledge of how to handle a down horse and prompt use of slings and support devices may allow horses to recover from the primary injury or problem which resulted in recumbency. In a retrospective study of recumbent horses placed in the UC Davis large animal lift (LAL) 11 of 17 horses recovered enough to be discharged. […]