FATAL INJURIES

VITAL SIGNS

Capillary Refill Time - After firm thumb pressure on the gum above the incisor teeth - normal white print become pink in about a second.
Heart Rate - Normal resting pulse of 40 to 45 per minute.
Respiratory Rate - 8 - 16 per-minute at rest.
Hydration-Level - Skin pinch remains elevated for 6 - 10 seconds in severe hydration.

Bleeding from the nostrils is seldom a mortal injury in the horse - fractures of the sinuses interfere with breathing; bleeding from the ears may indicate skull bone fracture.  Brain or spinal cord injury may cause nystagmus (jerking movement of the eyes), head tilt, disorientation, unsteady gait, inability to negotiate turns or complete paralysis.

FRACTURES

Most long bone fractures are apparent from limb angulation or examination of involved areas.  Fractures of bone in heavily muscled area i.e. the femur are difficult to differentiate from severe muscle injuries.  The horse that has a non-weight bearing lameness can have a fracture of the coffin or pastern bone.  Similarly, the horse with an infected puncture wound or abscess will also be non-weight bearing.  Careful examination is required to differentiate these conditions.  Fractures of the long bone can be stabilized with splints, which may allow the horse to be moved.  The splint should immobilize the joints above and below the fracture.

MUSCLE DISORDERS

Severe cases of azoturia or extreme exhaustion may result in a horse going down and being unable to rise.

HEMORRHAGE

Severe laceration involving arteries and veins along the neck and in the groin may result in fatal hemorrhage.

COLIC

Horses with terminal colic usually have a history of prolonged severe abdominal pain, prolonged capillary refill time (4-5 seconds or longer) with heart rate over 100 - often the color of the gums becomes ashen grey or purple.

RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

Critical chest involvement is indicated by fast respiratory rate, flared nostrils, labored breathing and obvious distress.

EUTHANASIA

The horse with fatal injuries or terminal illness may require euthanasia for humane reasons.  The humane destruction of the horse is best performed by a lethal injection by a veterinarian.  In the backcountry, there may not be such an option and humane destruction by gunshot is necessary.  The appropriate site for shooting a horse is at the intersection of lines drawn from the eyes to the base of the ears.  When possible, the horse should be euthanized as far away as possible from water, trails, or campsites and preferably out of sight for aesthetic reason.  The carcass may have to be dismantled to relocate in an appropriate area.  Agency officials should be notified of the disposition of the carcass.