Horses, Ponies and Donkeys

Equine emergencies move fast. Have the plan written on the stable wall before you need it.

• Keep your practice’s day and out-of-hours numbers where everyone can see them.
• Know where the nearest equine hospital or referral centre is, and how long it takes.
• Know who can bring a trailer or lorry at short notice, day or night.
• Keep the passport accessible — it is needed for medication records and transport.
• Agree in advance who can make decisions if you cannot be contacted.
• Ask the practice about call-out charges and payment before the emergency happens.

In the UK only a registered farrier, or a person allowed by law such as a veterinary surgeon or a farriery apprentice under supervision, may shoe a horse. Hoof care is not optional, and neglected feet cause serious pain and lameness.

• Book routine trimming or shoeing every few weeks, as your farrier advises.
• Pick out feet regularly and look for heat, smell, cracks or a loose shoe.
• Donkeys need regular trimming too, and their feet are shaped differently.
• Check that anyone shoeing your horse is on the Farriers Registration Council register, administered through the Worshipful Company of Farriers’ examinations system.
• If a shoe is twisted or half off and you cannot remove it safely, ring the farrier.
• Suspected laminitis or a hoof puncture is a veterinary emergency, not a farrier job.

• Forage first: most equines need mainly grass, hay or haylage, fed little and often.
• Donkeys generally need a high-fibre, low-sugar diet such as barley straw with suitable supplementation, and they are prone to obesity on rich grass.
• Watch weight all year. Obesity and laminitis are as serious as being underweight.
• Restrict rich spring and autumn grass if your animal is prone to laminitis.
• Check water twice a day in freezing weather and break or empty ice.
• Provide dry standing, shelter and a windbreak; mud and cold rain cause real harm.
• Rug only if the animal needs it, check under rugs daily for rubs, sores and weight change, and never leave a rug unchecked for days.
• Donkeys are not waterproof and need dry shelter they can use at all times.
• Ask your vet or a welfare charity for a feeding plan if you are unsure.

• Arrange in advance who can transport your animal at short notice, and confirm insurance.
• Keep the trailer or lorry serviced, with a working floor, tyres, lights and ramp.
• Keep the passport with the animal when travelling.
• Practise loading before an emergency. A frightened, painful horse is far harder to load.
• Ask the vet whether the animal is fit to travel. With some injuries it is safer for the vet to attend on site.
• For a loose horse or a collision on a road, telephone 999 and ask for the police.
• Ask your insurer whether emergency transport or hospital referral is covered.

Equine costs are much higher than most pets: livery or land, forage, bedding, farrier, dental care, vaccination, worming, insurance and emergency treatment. Costs continue whether or not the animal is ridden.

• Speak to your vet and farrier early if you are struggling; ask for a plan and estimates.
• Ask your yard about cheaper livery options, shared care or grass livery.
• Ask a welfare charity for advice before the animal’s condition suffers.
• Do not delay hoof care, dental care or veterinary treatment to save money — problems become far more expensive and more painful.
• Be realistic. If ownership is no longer affordable, planned rehoming through a recognised charity is a responsible decision, not a failure.

Loaning is common in the equine world and often goes wrong when nothing is written down. Put everything in writing before the animal moves.

• State clearly who owns the animal and who holds the passport.
• Say who pays for the farrier, dental care, vaccination, insurance and emergency treatment.
• Say what work the animal may do, who may ride it, and where it will be kept.
• Say what notice each side must give, and what happens if the animal becomes unfit for work.
• Agree in writing who can authorise emergency treatment or euthanasia, and who pays.
• Visit regularly if you are the owner, and keep records of visits and costs.
• Charities that rehome equines usually use a formal loan or rehoming agreement and keep ownership themselves, which protects the animal for life.

Abandoned and fly-grazed equines are a serious UK welfare problem. Do not take an animal home or move it yourself: ownership, disease risk and liability are all involved.

• Note the location, date, number of animals and their condition, and take photographs from a safe place.
• Report suffering to the RSPCA, Scottish SPCA or USPCA depending on where you are.
• Report equines loose on a road to the police on 999.
• Report grazing on council land or public land to the local council.
• Contact an equine welfare charity for advice about persistent or repeated cases.
• Do not cut fences, feed unknown animals or enter private land.

Equines cannot be left unchecked. If you are admitted to hospital or cannot get to the yard, arrange cover immediately and write everything down.

• Write a care sheet: feed amounts, forage, medication, turnout, rugs and vet details.
• Tell the yard owner, sharer or a trusted friend, and name a backup person.
• Say in writing who may authorise veterinary treatment and how it will be paid for.
• Ask a welfare charity for advice if nobody can help — do not leave animals unchecked.

• Consider a sharer, part-loan or assisted livery before the animal’s care slips.
• Move to a yard with more help, level ground and better access if you can.
• Write down who will take the animal if you cannot continue, and confirm they agree.
• Take legal advice about including an equine in your will, and name funds if possible.
• Talk honestly to your vet about quality of life and end-of-life planning.

Losing an equine can be devastating, and the practical arrangements can feel overwhelming at the same time.

• Your vet can explain euthanasia, collection, cremation and burial rules.
• The passport must be returned to the issuing organisation after death.
• Tell your insurer and, where relevant, the yard and any sharer.
• A companion left alone will often grieve and should not be kept without company. Ask your vet or a charity for advice.

• You must meet the animal’s welfare needs: suitable environment and diet, the ability to behave normally, appropriate company, and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
• Causing unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence throughout the UK.
• Nearly all equines must have a horse passport, and passports must be kept up to date and travel with the animal.
• Microchipping requirements apply — check the current rules for your part of the UK.
• Grazing land must be safe, fenced and free of hazards and dangerous rubbish.
• Medicine records must be kept in the passport where required.
• Fly-grazing on land without permission is unlawful.

• World Horse Welfare (opens in a new tab)
• The Donkey Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
• The British Horse Society (opens in a new tab)
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
• RSPCA – horse and pony advice (opens in a new tab)
• Worshipful Company of Farriers (opens in a new tab)
• RCVS – find a registered veterinary practice (opens in a new tab)
• Legislation.gov.uk – Animal Welfare Act 2006 (opens in a new tab)