Wear proper protective equipment, especially a helmet, when handling a recumbent horse, and , if possible, approach the animal dorsally (from its back). | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Rebecca Gimenez

Whether they’re trapped, cast, or dead, down horses can be both difficult and dangerous to move.

“It’s very frustrating to move a large animal that’s not cooperating with you,” said Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, president of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Inc., in Macon, Georgia.

Veterinarians arriving on the scene of a trailer accident or a cast geriatric horse have the experience and skills to lead the rescue effort and keep both humans and horse out of danger. For guidance in these scenarios, Gimenez presented ways vets can manipulate (move or reposition) down horses safely and effectively at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Nov. 17-21 in San Antonio, Texas