BARN SAFETY & EMERGENCY FIRST AID South Shore Equine Clinic & Diagnostic Center 781-585-2611 www.ssequineclinic.com
BARN SAFETY & EMERGENCY FIRST AID Are you prepared? When to call the vet
SAFETY HOUSING POPULATION DENSITY HYGIENE STAGNANT WATER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FIRE PLAN
HOUSING Air Flow Ventilation Decrease incidence of respiratory disease/copd
HOUSING Clean, FRESH Water Individual buckets Individual feed tubs Individual halters and leads Decrease incidence of disease transmission
HOUSING Splinters Stalls/fences Metal Screw eyes Double end snaps Nails Debris/waste/ scraps
HOUSING Population Density Hygiene
POPULATION DENSITY Sharing Paddocks Parasite control Infectious disease control
Sharing Paddocks Strategic De-worming Protocol ALL horses New Horses Annual Intestinal Parasite Exam (fecal) www.ssequineclinic.com
Infectious Disease Control Viruses - Respiratory Influenza Rhino (EHV-1 Outbreak) Bacterial Strep. Equi (Strangles) Rhodococcus
Infectious Disease Do you have the ability to quarantine animals? 35 feet minimum
Minimize by practicing good HYGIENE Infectious Disease
HYGIENE Closed herds No shared water buckets or feed tubs Individual halter/lead Change water daily Clean/bleach (Pine sol) buckets at least weekly
HYGIENE Minimize shared tack Clean/Disinfect all shared tack/blankets between users
Hygiene - Human Foot baths Hand Sanitizers Isolated barn clothing/shoes
Hygiene Have designated person to work with sick horse Handle after all others have been handled Clean stall last - or 1 designated person Have own muck tub, shovel, fork, etc. Wear gloves/wash hands
STAGNANT WATER Breeding grounds for mosquitoes >> West Nile, EEE Mayflies >> Pot. Horse Fever Algae, bacteria Strep Equi (Strangles) can survive in water for up to 6 weeks!
FIRE SAFETY Smoking!! Electrical overload/electric cords Clutter/spider webs/hay/dust
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FIRE SAFETY Devastating Disasters Frantic Situation Safe Place to Move Horses 911
FIRE SAFETY Halters on or off? Knowledgeable handlers available? Local Fire Department
FIRE SAFETY Garden Hoses Fire Extinguishers
EMERGENCIES Are they accident prone? Behavior Kicks Lacerations Abrasions Fractures Bite wounds
Emergencies Colic Foaling Difficulty Laceration/Hemorrhage Illness/Fever Seizures Acute Lameness Ocular Trauma
Emergencies As a horse owner you must know how to recognize serious problems, respond promptly and take appropriate action while waiting for the vet to arrive.
Emergencies What you should know Temperature Heart Rate Respiratory rate Abdominal sounds Normal behavior
What you should know Temperature < 101.5º F Taken rectally with digital or mercury thermometer
What to know.. Heart Rate Normal: 28-44 beats per minute
What to know Respiratory Rate Normal is 10-20 breaths per minute **watch nostrils or sides
What to know Manure Gas Gut sounds (borborygmi) Decreased Increased Absent
What to know Mucous membranes Color Hydration Capillary refill time (CRT)
What to note: In addition to temp., HR, RR. Attitude BAR, lethargic, anxious, painful, quiet, etc. Appetite/H20 consumption Manure production
More Obvious Signs Rolling, pawing, strecthing, etc. Sweating Ataxia Nasal Discharge Labored breathing Bleeding Lameness
Normal values Every horse is different Keep a daily record Wider range in foals
Normal Values Temperature: < 101.5º F Heart Rate: 28-44 bpm Respiratory rate: 10-20 bpm Mucous membranes: pink, moist, crt<2 seconds Gut sounds audible in 4 quadrants Normal behavior
Emergency Preparedness: Action Plan STAY CALM Have your veterinarian s number by the phone Have a back up vet s number
Emergency Preparedness: Action Plan STAY CALM Have a list of friends who may be able to assist you if needed Phone chain Trailer if needed
Emergency Preparedness: Action Plan Prepare a first aid kit Good lighting available Running water
Emergency Preparedness: First Aid Kit Commercially prepared Home made kits Veterinary Supplies
Emergency Preparedness: First Aid Kit Tack shop supplies Pen & Paper
Emergency Preparedness: First Aid Kit Drug store supplies Bandage Materials
Emergency Preparedness: First Aid Kit PLEASE REMEMBER TO STAY OFF THE PHONE!!
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS What would you do if. you were without power for 3 days? You had to evacuate all of the horses on the premises? You had a loss of structures due to excess wind damage?
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Do you have resources available to evacuate all animals quickly and safely? Do you have adequate materials to securely identify all animals?
BARN SAFETY & EMERGENCY FIRST AID Mark T. Reilly, D.V.M., Dipl. ABVP (Equine) Linda J. Cimetti, D.V.M.