Last updated on October 8, 2024

Facing Horse Surgery? 3 Ways to Help Your Equine Pal Recover Quickly

“Your horse is going to need surgery” are words that NO horse owner wants to hear. Though we are thankful that horse surgery is an option when needed (seriously thank you veterinarians for your years of school and dedication to our horses) the fact is, surgery can be hard on the wallet, and even harder on the horses. 

Here are a few tips to help your horse recover from surgery of any kind to get them feeling their best as soon as possible. 

3 Ways to a Quick Recovery from Horse Surgery

1. Reduce and Treat Stress

• If you have a horse who tends to get worked up when hauling away from home- especially when alone- consider hauling a buddy horse with them to surgery when you can
• Just the reduced stress during the trailer ride can help eliminate excess stomach acid and the occurrence of ulcers
• Additionally, many faithful AE users have seen dramatic results in stress reduction when they give ITZ paste. Give as much as needed before loading up and hauling a nervous horse somewhere- especially for a vet trip.

2. Focus on Gut Health

• Surgery can do a number on a horse’s body- from possible complications from the anesthesia to post-operative colic. Horses aren’t meant to be sedentary/lying down for long periods of time, so the lack of mobility can negatively affect their digestive system. 
•  And while most horses quickly metabolize the actual drugs during surgery, the lingering effects on their gut health can remain. It’s thought that anesthesia slows down the electrical signals in the gut, especially in surgeries longer than an hour, reducing the impulse to defecate. This, along with the pain overload on the sympathetic nervous system, can lead to impaction. 
• For a more scientific, in-depth explanation, check out this study published in The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
• Make sure you are giving FDD & NuTrack at least 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery, and continue after to keep their gut happy & functioning properly.
• Depending on the surgery (such as bone chip removal, ligament repairs, and navicular surgery), a horse may need to be confined to a box stall for recovery.  However, please make sure that your horse has constant forage in front of them. Your horse may need that forage even more to help protect the lining of their stomach, as they recover from the stress of the surgery and being confined more than normal.

3. Allow for a Slow, Safe Recovery

• Regardless of the type of horse surgery performed, there are risks associated with it, especially during recovery time. It’s imperative to follow your veterinarian’s orders, and not rush their recovery.
• Falling, broken limbs, and neuropathy can be side effects of anesthesia and pain medications. To prevent injury, ensure that your horse’s recovery area is well-padded and monitored. A post-surgical injury or illness will cause an even longer recovery period!
• Even if they seem to be recovering well, don’t push your horse into physical activity too soon. Once the vet has cleared them to resume exercise, be conscious of the length and intensity of it. It’s best to start with a slow, gentle walk by hand. But of course, follow the rehab schedule your vet or trainer advises, and remember to pay attention to your horse! They have subtle- and not-so-subtle- ways of telling us how they’re feeling.
• For an added boost to their recovery, you can add a dose of Immune Key to their morning & evening feeds. Immune Key is specially formulated to fight inflammation and infection, both of which can be big issues post-surgery.

A Little TLC Will Help Speed Up Recovery from Horse Surgery

No one wants to see their equine partner go into surgery, even if you are confident they will come out stronger and healthier on the other side. As unfortunate as it can be, try to use their recovery period as a time to show a little extra love. A nice fluffy, padded stall, a break from training and exercise, and yummy gut-healthy supplements will help your horse be comfortable during their surgery recovery. Pay close attention to their stress levels, gut health, and activity levels so that their recovery can go as smoothly and safely as possible!

To learn more about how Foundation Daily Detox, NuTrack Digestive Support, and Immune Key can help your horse recover quicker from surgery, give Mark a call at 509-301-1798.

All content is intended for informational purposes only. Proudly written for Animal Element by the team at FaithHanan.com.

Resources:

1. Cote, Nathalie and Judith Koenig. “Equine Gastrointestinal Motility — Ileus and Pharmacological Modification.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal, June 2006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1461410/
2. “Equine Sedation and Anaesthesia for Surgery Risks.” Scone Equine Hospital. https://www.sconeequinehospital.com.au/risk-information/equine-sedation-and-anaesthesia-for-surgery-risks/#:~:text=Bone%20Fractures%3A%20Due%20to%20their,effects%20of%20the%20anaesthetic%20drugs.