Most horse owners have loaded their horse into a box and confidently set off to a show or lesson. But what would you do if your horse had severely lacerated its tendons or was colicing violently? Have you ever considered how you would load your horse then and get him to emergency care?

Firstly a few practical tips and suggestions:

• Keep your horse box and towing vehicle in good condition. Tyres that need to be fixed and replaced, must be done so immediately. Repairs and maintenance must be up to date.
• Have a back-up plan. There are many commercial transport companies that will move your horse efficiently. This is definitely an option when you are too stressed or emotional about your horse to consider driving competently. Keep their telephone numbers handy.
• Never load and transport your horse to a hospital without first talking to your vet and getting a referral. A referral means that the hospital can prepare for your horse's arrival. Keep your vet's telephone number in a convenient and visible place, such as on your horse's stable door. Should something happen and you cannot be contacted, the vet can be notified.
• When loading the horse, try to park the box as close to the horse as possible. This lessens the strain on the horse, as he won't need to walk too far before being loaded.

In an emergency situation, stay calm and assess the situation first. Inappropriate action may worsen the condition. As far as possible, get readings of vital signs and contact your vet. Explain the situation as well as possible and give your vet the readings.

Try to keep your horse calm, but do not place yourself in danger – especially if your horse is colicing violently. Do not administer any drugs, unless specifically discussed with a vet. When given to a shocked patient, certain drugs can cause severe and even life-threatening side-effects.

Basic first aid to wounds, such as hosing down the contaminated area and applying pressure to a bleeding wound, will help the horse. Vets will often administer drugs to facilitate smooth transportation. Horses requiring intensive care, nursing or a general anaesthetic and surgery, will be referred to a hospital facility.

In the horse box

Ensure that there is enough space for the horse – especially if you have one of the larger breeds. Most horse boxes are a standard two-berth, forward-facing box, which works well for ill or injured horses. Once inside, the horse will be able to lean on the sides and middle partition for support, with the breast and butt bar giving added support. Provided the trip is not too long, your horse will be fine with this set-up.

If you box your horse regularly, he will be comfortable in his own box. Horses that have not been in a box before or do not like boxing, present a greater challenge! In these cases a few things can be tried to make the loading easier.

At all times it is vital that the horse is not stressed or rushed, as any inappropriate reaction by the horse may result in further injuries. Make sure that the box is big enough and well lit – horses like to see where they are going. Use a ramp that has a very gradual rise. This can be achieved by parking the box on a slight incline.

Try lead reins anchored on the box and looped around the horse's hindquarters to apply gentle pressure. Often the medication that the vet has administered will make the horse more amenable to loading. It is worth noting that, at this point, most owners are quite stressed and using a transport company which is experienced in loading non-loaders, may assist greatly.

Here are a few of the more common emer­gencies requiring transportation:

Wounds and lacerations: Horses generally cut their lower limbs. Tendons and ligaments need to be assessed and examined before a prognosis can be given. In these cases the vet may lightly sedate the horse, so that a basic examination can be performed and treatment given.

Washing the lacerated area to remove organic matter (grass and sand) is important, as the debris can contaminate wounds and delay healing. Cold water should help to slow the bleeding down. A support bandage will be applied to the injured leg. This will help to apply pressure and control bleeding. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and analgesics (painkillers) will be administered. Once bandaged, the horse will probably feel more comfortable and should load by walking up the ramp.

Occasionally horses impale themselves on objects. The object should not be removed from the horse and, should any of the body cavities be penetrated, do not hose the wound. Obviously painkillers will greatly facilitate the transportation of an impaled horse.

Fractures: Most fractures have an unfavourable prognosis and are very expensive to repair. Should one decide that surgery is an option, the broken bones must be stabilised as soon as possible by means of a splint. It is very important that a knowledgeable person applies the splint to the fractured leg, as an incorrect application can result in the blood supply to the leg being affected, compromising the viability of the leg.

If any bones are sticking through the skin, do not touch them. This is an open fracture and the prognosis is very guarded. The bones should be covered with a sterile dressing prior to a splint being applied. To make loading the horse easier, use a ramp that has a very gradual rise.

Colic: Boxing and transporting horses with severe colic can be a dangerous and harrowing experience. These horses must be seen by a vet before they are loaded into a box as colic horses being referred, usually require surgery. These horses are in acute pain and will thrash and roll about in the horsebox. The vet will therefore administer pain medication and sedate the horse. Occasionally intravenous fluid therapy may be started.

Horses in pain can be very dangerous and unpredictable. People should therefore not travel in the horsebox with a colicing horse. Rather stop at regular intervals to check the patient. The lead of the halter must be tied with a quick-release knot. The length that is left must be long enough so that, should the horse go down in the box, it will not strangle itself.

The driver must be alert and prepared to react quickly, should the horse suddenly and violently thrash about in the box. Keep a serrated knife and hammer in the towing vehicle. The knife will be useful, should the halter's lead become entangled and knotted. The hammer may be required to knock loose latches that get bent when the horse rolls about.

Lastly, make sure that you take your cell phone with all emergency numbers with you, and always get clear concise directions before setting off. If travelling at night, it is recommended that a torch be kept handy.