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

[Latestarter]

Were it me, and I don't own horses, I would consider giving him some aspirin to thin the blood a little (better circulation) ease any swelling (stiffness from being down so long), and ease pain to help him move a bit more readily. When I researched it I come up with this:

"what is the dose (in human MG tablets) for a 1,000 pound horse... it is about two to four 240 GRAIN BOLUSES... how many 325 MG aspirins does it take to equal 240 or 480 grain boluses? A grain is equal to 64.799 milligrams, so a 240 grain bolus is equal to 15551.76 milligrams. So of your human aspirin you would be dosing 47.85 human aspirins."

I wouldn't try to get that many down his throat but might try to get him to eat 10-20. Maybe dissolved in warm sugar/molasses water that he might drink?

from: http://myhorseforum.com/threads/human-aspirin-doses-aligned-to-horse-dose.149325/

 

[Latestarter]

I think a winch might work better than a wench but I'd love to watch in the latter case! sorry, had to.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Praying for you all and for your dear horse- I've never experienced anything like this but I am agreeing with keeping them warm. I hate that you don't have any farm vets that will visit. Please keep us updated and I'm wishing you all well- stay warm in the process!

 

[dejavoodoo114]

Latestarter, thanks! I needed that!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I wouldn't give him too much feed- but a little with warm water and molasses will probably do him good. However, if he's warm and well fed where he is - he might not try as hard to get up.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'd be a bit hesitant to medicate him before you get approval from your vet. But, that's just me...

Really hope to hear good news soon!

 

[dejavoodoo114]

Just talked to the vet and he told me aspirin as well. So that is what we are doing. He also said that if the aspirin and warmth don't work there is nothing that can be done. There is no way to get him up to the barn and the warmth. Apparently he is behaving as though he is giving up. No longer even trying to keep his head up. He has not been willing to eat or drink anything we have offered him.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Hope the aspirin helps. Good call, Latestarte! Hope he responds for you - it's so hard when they just give up.

 

[norseofcourse]

I can't imagine how hard it is to be dealing with something like this. You've had a lot of good suggestions.

Can you take his temperature? It can tell you how chilled he still may be. Hay, stray, rugs, warm blankets, massages, all good ideas, keep that going all you can. Is his coat dry, or still damp?

He's also stressed and his energy reserves are down. Do you have an old wormer tube you can fill with molasses, karo syrup, applesauce, stuff like that? Or a big syringe (no needle), just some way to get something into him. Something to give him energy. Is there plain water for him to drink? He might not want water with stuff in it, if he's not used to it.

Thinking good thoughts for him and you...

 

[GLENMAR]