Every horse owner learns the same hard lesson eventually: vet bills hurt worse than the injuries that caused them.
We’ve all been there. You walk out to the pasture and find your horse standing there with a cut that’s going to cost you $500 in stitches, or worse—an injury that ends their career. The sick feeling in your gut isn’t just about the money, though that stings plenty. It’s knowing that most horse injuries are completely preventable if you know what to look for and plan accordingly.
After decades of watching horses find creative ways to hurt themselves, we’ve learned that the same injuries happen over and over again.
Different horses, different properties, same problems.
Fortunately, once you understand the patterns, you can prevent most of them from happening in the first place.
Prevention beats treatment every time, and that’s for your horse’s welfare, your peace of mind, and your bank account. Below are the seven most common horse injuries we see, why they happen, and what you can do to stop them before they start.
Because the best horse injury is the one that never happens.
The 7 Most Common Horse Injuries
- Fence-Related Cuts and Lacerations
- Pasture Accidents and Falls
- Hoof and Leg Injuries
- Colic and Digestive Issues
- Eye Injuries
- Kicks and Bite Wounds
- Trailer Loading Injuries
1. Fence-Related Cuts and Lacerations
Fence injuries top the list because horses interact with fencing every single day. From minor scrapes to career-ending lacerations, fence-related injuries range from nuisance to catastrophic. Barbed wire creates the worst damage, but even “safe” fencing can cause problems when poorly maintained or inappropriately installed.
Horses explore with their noses, scratch against posts, and can panic into fencing when spooked. Sharp edges, protruding nails, broken boards, and inadequate fence height all create injury opportunities. Poor visibility makes horses more likely to run into fencing at speed.
Choose fencing materials designed for horses: smooth surfaces, proper height, and engineered flexibility that absorbs impact. Maintain fence lines regularly, checking for loose boards, protruding hardware, and sharp edges. Keep fence lines clear of debris that might spook horses or create additional hazards.
Most fence injuries are completely preventable with proper material selection and maintenance. Quality horse fencing costs more upfront but prevents expensive vet bills and heartbreak down the road.
2. Pasture Accidents and Falls
Horses slip, trip, and fall more often than most owners realize. Muddy conditions, uneven footing, holes from other animals, and hidden obstacles all contribute to accidents that can cause anything from minor bruises to broken bones.
Horses are large, powerful animals that don’t always watch where they’re going, especially when playing or spooked. Wet conditions make safe footing treacherous, while dry conditions can create hard, uneven surfaces. Gopher holes, old fence posts, and debris hidden in tall grass create trip hazards.
Maintain level, well-drained pastures with regular grading and reseeding as needed. Fill holes promptly and remove debris, old fence materials, and anything else that could cause trips or falls. Provide adequate shelter so horses aren’t forced to stand in muddy conditions.
Good pasture management prevents most fall-related injuries. Regular maintenance and attention to footing conditions protect horses from unnecessary accidents.
3. Hoof and Leg Injuries
Lameness issues rank among the most common and costly horse problems. From stone bruises and abscesses to tendon injuries and fractures, leg and hoof problems can sideline horses for months or end careers permanently.
Poor footing, inadequate hoof care, and environmental hazards all contribute to leg and hoof injuries. Rocks, nails, and sharp objects in pastures cause puncture wounds and bruises. Uneven or hard footing stresses joints and tendons.
Maintain regular farrier schedules every 6-8 weeks regardless of workload. Keep pastures clear of debris, nails, and sharp objects. Provide appropriate footing in high-traffic areas and ensure adequate drainage to prevent mud and standing water.
Consistent hoof care and environmental management prevent most leg and hoof problems. The cost of prevention is always less than the cost of treatment.
4. Colic and Digestive Issues
Colic kills more horses than any other disease. From mild gas colic to twisted intestines requiring emergency surgery, digestive problems can escalate quickly from minor discomfort to life-threatening emergencies.
Sudden feed changes, poor quality hay, inadequate water intake, and stress all contribute to colic episodes. Sand ingestion from poor pasture conditions, parasite loads, and irregular feeding schedules increase risk factors.
Maintain consistent feeding schedules with quality feed and adequate fresh water. Make any feed changes gradually over 7-10 days. Ensure proper pasture management to prevent sand ingestion. Maintain regular deworming schedules and minimize stress factors.
Most colic cases are preventable through proper nutrition and management. Emergency colic surgery costs $8,000-15,000, making prevention the obvious choice.
5. Eye Injuries
Horse eyes are large, prominent, and vulnerable to injury from branches, dust, debris, and foreign objects. Eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss and require immediate veterinary attention to prevent complications.
Horses often don’t see low branches, especially when moving at speed or in low light conditions. Dusty conditions, wind-blown debris, and inadequate shelter expose eyes to constant irritation. Poor fence design can create eye-level hazards.
Trim tree branches along fence lines and in pastures to eliminate eye-level hazards. Provide adequate shelter from wind and dust. Maintain fence heights and designs that don’t create eye-level risks. Keep pastures clear of brush and debris that could cause eye injuries.
Environmental management prevents most eye injuries. Regular pasture maintenance and proper shelter protect horses from preventable eye damage.
6. Kicks and Bite Wounds
Horses injure each other through normal herd behavior, but poor management can make these interactions more frequent and severe. Kick injuries can cause fractures, soft tissue damage, and life-threatening internal injuries.
Overcrowding, inadequate resources, and poor herd management increase aggressive interactions. Feeding horses too close together creates competition and conflict. Introducing new horses improperly disrupts herd dynamics.
Provide adequate space for horses to establish normal herd hierarchies and escape aggressive encounters. Separate feeding areas prevent food-related conflicts. Introduce new horses gradually with proper quarantine and introduction protocols.
Proper herd management and adequate space prevent most horse-on-horse injuries. Understanding herd dynamics protects all horses in the group.
7. Trailer Loading Injuries
Loading and unloading horses from trailers creates numerous injury opportunities. Panic, poor equipment, and inadequate training combine to create situations where horses can be seriously injured in confined spaces.
Horses naturally resist entering confined spaces, especially moving ones. Poor trailer maintenance, inadequate lighting, and improper loading techniques increase stress and injury risk. Rushing the process often makes problems worse.
Invest in proper training for both horses and handlers. Maintain trailers in good condition with adequate lighting and safe footing. Practice loading in non-stressful situations to build confidence. Never rush or force horses into trailers.
Patient training and proper equipment prevent most trailer-related injuries. The time invested in proper preparation pays off in safer transportation.
Prevention Starts with Safe Boundaries
Notice how many of these injuries trace back to environmental factors you can control? Proper fencing, good pasture management, and attention to potential hazards prevent more horse injuries than all the veterinary intervention in the world.
Steel board fencing addresses multiple injury categories simultaneously. The smooth surfaces eliminate fence-related cuts and lacerations. Proper height and visibility prevent collision injuries. Engineered flexibility absorbs impact without creating sharp edges or protruding hardware. Quality construction lasts decades without creating maintenance-related hazards.
The math is simple: invest in prevention now, or pay for treatment later. Prevention is always cheaper, and it’s the only option that guarantees your horse stays healthy.
Contact us about steel board fencing systems designed specifically for horse safety. Because the best horse injury is the one that never happens, and the best fencing is the kind that keeps it that way.
