General information only. Every horse is different. For health concerns, always speak with your veterinarian, farrier or equine nutritionist.
01Key contacts
Life-threatening emergency000Police, fire, ambulance
VicEmergency hotline1800 226 226Warnings & information
Koo Wee Stock & Saddle0414 094 055Call Hasan
Your vet________Save it in your phone
02Recognising colic
Colic means abdominal pain. It ranges from mild gas to life-threatening twists, and early action matters.
- Pawing, repeatedly lying down and getting up, or rolling
- Looking or nipping at the flank, kicking at the belly
- Sweating, restlessness, raised pulse or breathing
- Few or no droppings, reduced gut sounds, not eating
What to do
- Call your vet and describe the signs, along with pulse and temperature if you can take them safely.
- Remove feed until the vet advises otherwise.
- Keep yourself safe — a horse in pain can go down suddenly. Gentle walking may help if your vet agrees.
- Don't give any medication unless your vet tells you to; it can mask important signs.
03Wounds & injuries
- Apply firm pressure with a clean pad to control bleeding.
- Any wound near a joint or tendon sheath, a puncture wound, or anything in the sole is urgent — call your vet.
- If an object is embedded in the hoof, leave it in place for the vet unless told otherwise.
- Check tetanus vaccination status after any wound.
04Hot weather
- Make sure there's shade and plenty of clean water; horses drink much more in the heat.
- Avoid work in the hottest part of the day.
- Signs of heat stress include rapid breathing, flared nostrils, weakness and a high temperature. Hose with cool water, scrape it off, repeat, and call your vet.
05Bushfire & flood
Agriculture Victoria advises horse owners to plan ahead and act early. Key points:
- Keep microchip and registration details current, and store photos and ownership records somewhere waterproof.
- Practise float loading so evacuation is calm, and know more than one route out.
- On Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger days, relocating should happen the night before or early in the morning.
- If horses remain on a property during fire, remove synthetic rugs and gear — nylon and plastic can melt and burn.
- In floods, move horses to higher ground early. Never leave horses shut in stables in rising water.
- After floods, watch for rain scald, mud fever, hoof problems, wounds and mosquitoes.
Stay informedFollow the VicEmergency app or website, or call the hotline on 1800 226 226. We'll contact owners directly about their horses during any emergency affecting the property.