Horse slipped in snow, stuck on side with legs uphill against tree

[dejavoodoo114]

I know he is a horse but I am hoping one of you guys will be able to help.

Our thoroughbred slipped in the snow in the pasture and ended up sliding down until he lodged against a tree with his legs uphill. DH was working and I was at school. Our neighbor called to tell us that he was dead in the pasture around 1pm. We went to him as soon as we got home around 3:20pm. We have no idea how long he was stuck in that position. My husband got him off the tree and his legs facing down hill and he got his legs under him some but did not stand. He is soaked and shivering, it is about 35 degrees right now, and his head is wobbly, our daughter is holding it up for him.

That is where we are at Right Now. The pasture is too steep and has too much snow for any vehicle to get down there. He has to get up the hill and to the barn under his own power. He seems very weak. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Get him warm; cover him with blankets, offer him warm water and make sure he has a slip free way to stand up. If he was down a long time his legs might be numb. Rub them to get circulation going, if possible. Hopefully, the circulation isn't damaged.

Once a horse is down like that he might be afraid to even try to get up. Put whatever you have under him (old carpet, lots of hay...) to keep his feet from slipping when he tries to get up.

Call in help, you might have to use manpower to get him going. We had an issue once and actually called the fire department to help. We live in a very small town and the fire department is volunteers. They were great!

Hope you can help him!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Also, if you can't get him up fairly soon, he might need a vet's assistance. And, a little molasses or sugar in his water might give him a bit of quick energy.

Good luck!

 

[Latestarter]

Agree, first thing is try to get him warmed up and circulation flowing. Good luck! Hope you can get him on his feet and back to the relative safety of the barn. Let us know the outcome please.

 

[samssimonsays]

I pray he gets up and moving. I am with Frustratedearthmother warm water and anything and everything you can spare that will help him grip while trying to stand up.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

The warm water and a small amount of grain with molasses that will be mixed with some of the warm water when it gets there is on its way. I also have a comforter in the dryer that will be brought down next. His legs are being massaged and rubbed but he is still wobbly and unwilling to stand yet.

We are fairly new to this area. If the firemen are like the police they wont want to come out in this weather. This snow is also unusual for us and there are a ton of accidents. Our governor has actually declared a state of emergency... The roads are dangerous. I doubt any help will be able to come but there is one person I will try and call. Also, there are no vets who visit farms in the county or in any of the surrounding counties...

 

[Pamela]

If you have a church congregation, call tour Pastor, Bishop, Minister, whoever to come help. They might know of someone in the area or in the congregation that would be willing to brave the conditions and assist you.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

I am trying to get a hold of the only one who may be able to help.

In the mean time, is there any thing else I can give him that might help?

 

[promiseacres]

Anyone have a wench to get him back up the hill?

 

[dejavoodoo114]

My neighbor may, if he does how would we safely attach it?

I also have a call into my vet.