Why horses can't lie down for long

It's entertaining to watch horses rolling around in the dirt, but a horse lying on the ground for too long is at risk for injuries.
 
Ann Swinker is an extension horse specialist at Penn State University. She says horses can get into in a situation where they've laid down and can't get back up. Perhaps they settled in too close to a wall and can't get their feet underneath them to stand. Swinker says the weight of their bodies can cause problems if they're down too long.
 
"You have some circulation issues, respiratory issues, the digestive system's not made to be crushed up and upside down and function. If they're left there long enough, things start to shut down," says Swinker. "So if a horse has been down for a long time, you probably want to call your veterinarian, and let him know what you're dealing with."

Budging a 1,000-pound horse takes leverage, even if it's just a few inches. When the animal is stuck against a wall, some people might position themselves between the horse and the wall, using their feet and legs to move the horse. But Swinker says a huge, flailing animal could easily kick, step on, or crush you. 

She suggests getting another person or two to help. Grab a long rope, and wrap it down low around the horse's neck.

"So that the pressure is on the fleshy part, not on the skull, or not on the esophagus. If the horse has a halter on, you might be able to snap it on to the halter. Try to look at where you can do that," she says. "But you have to have a long enough rope that you're not going to slip and fall under the horse."

Gently roll the horse over, or pull it just enough so that it can get up on its own but stay away from the horse's legs. Once it realizes it can stand up, it may panic or struggle and you don't want to connect with a flying hoof.