Get Your Cast Horse Back on Its Feet

What to Do When a Horse Becomes Cast

First of all, stay calm. Don’t panic, and don’t approach the horse until you have assessed the situation and determined the safest strategy for getting the horse on its feet. Some horses will calm down when they sense help is on the way. Some may continue to struggle, causing themselves more injuries and potentially injuring anyone in the way. Remember too, that a horse can appear to calm down, but then begin to struggle again. Check if the horse is breathing and what injuries it might have. A very messy stall might mean you’re also dealing with a horse with colic.

A horse that seems confused may be suffering from a concussion or a neurological problem. If the horse appears to have any other problems beyond simply getting itself into a bad spot, call a veterinarian.

You will probably need some help to get the horse on its feet again. Stay out of reach of the horse’s hooves. If you can safely do so, pull on the horse’s mane so that its front feet and head are further from the object it’s cast against. That may give it just enough room to scramble to its feet. Don’t just pull on the horse’s head and neck as this could cause spinal injuries.

If you can’t safely free the horse’s front end, you may need ropes or lunge lines. Don’t put yourself between the horse and whatever it’s cast against. Reach over the horse, or over the object. Loop the rope around the horse’s lower legs, and pull the horse back over. Just be very sure to stay out of reach of flailing hooves, or head and neck.

How to Prevent Your Horse From Becoming Cast

Horses that spend most of their time turned out are less likely to get cast, although it is still quite possible. Banking bedding against stall walls may help prevent a horse from getting close enough to a wall to get trapped.