Horse got stuck in electric fencing

[Horsegirl25]

The most traumatic thing happened this morning!
Went up to get the horses in, my gelding wouldn’t let me mare come to the gate so got him first, she then reared up obviously misjudging how close she was to the electric fencing caught her front leg in the fence, turned to try run away which in turn caught her back leg also in the fence!
Fell to the floor at this point, I’m standing with my gelding helpless she eventually freed herself after what felt like forever.
She has 2 swollen legs with superficial cuts (only the hair came off) she had front brushing boots on which are ripped to shreds but lucky have taken more of the wire.
Her back legs pretty swollen and sore I would say more so than the front.
Vet coming out later on this afternoon, I have been cold hosing and have my ice boots in the freezer to put on.
I am so worried about tendon injuries, she is my showjumper I don’t want to think the worst but obviously that’s the first thing your mind goes to.

Edit: I should add she’s had 2 danillon this morning when she came in

 

[paddy555]

I'm sorry about your horse's injuries. Was this polywire, tape or rope? I usually find the thin polywire and tape break very quickly. The rope I don't go near.
Hope your gelding is OK.

 

[Fjord]

Oh what a nightmare. Fingers crossed it's just superficial, sounds like you are doing all the right things.

 

[Horsegirl25]

I'm sorry about your horse's injuries. Was this polywire, tape or rope? I usually find the thin polywire and tape break very quickly. The rope I don't go near.
Hope your gelding is OK.

It was rope sadly, yup felt like a lifetime and to be honest the rope didn’t even snap it just pinged off more fence posts and loosed enough for her to run free! Traumatic to say the least!

 

[Horsegirl25]

Oh what a nightmare. Fingers crossed it's just superficial, sounds like you are doing all the right things.

Hopefully she has 2 very swollen legs but luckily walking okay!

 

[shortstuff99]

How scary!

I would definitely check for cut injuries. One of mine injured themselves on fencing like this and nearly died from the subsequent leg wound, luckily I had vet out immediately after the accident otherwise who knows!

I now use specific breakers in this type of fencing, it is like a piece of metal joined in the middle with a rubber bung and the rope is connected either end. Then when pressure is put on it the breaker goes and frees them. I also use the fence connecters that open so they release the fence quicker too.

 

[Horsegirl25]

How scary!

I would definitely check for cut injuries. One of mine injured themselves on fencing like this and nearly died from the subsequent leg wound, luckily I had vet out immediately after the accident otherwise who knows!

I now use specific breakers in this type of fencing, it is like a piece of metal joined in the middle with a rubber bung and the rope is connected either end. Then when pressure is put on it the breaker goes and frees them. I also use the fence connecters that open so they release the fence quicker too.

Phoned the vet at 8am and still waiting unfortunately, legs have been cold hose and Ice boots on through the day. Reluctant to hand walk without knowing the damage she has done.
Yes I think that was the problem the fence wasn’t giving even with the amount of pressure she was putting on it. Very scary watching it unfold right infront of you but being helpless!

 

[Horsegirl25]

Here are her legs currently, although the cuts do look bad they have only taken the hair off thankfully! They will leave an impressive scar right enough

 

[CobsaGooden]

How scary for you both. Everything crossed for superficial and quick healing injuries

 

[meleeka]

Ouch! that does look painful. Fingers crossed she heals quickly. It might be an idea to have joints in the fence if she’s going to throw dramatics like that near it.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Hi everyone. Vet been out and thankfully seems like good news, she thinks they look very superficial and although her legs are very swollen they aren’t hot and she’s not lame currently. She’s to be in for 3 days but hand walked and grazed then out in the field after that to keep moving. She’s on antibiotics and danillon for the time being but vet pretty confident the swelling should’ve reduced if not gone in 3 days.
Everything crossed!

 

[paddy555]

It was rope sadly, yup felt like a lifetime and to be honest the rope didn’t even snap it just pinged off more fence posts and loosed enough for her to run free! Traumatic to say the least!

I'm sorry and hope she is going to be OK

This is not the first time it has happened with rope and certainly won't be the last. I have come across and heard of many others. I remember one ended up in horse hospital being operated on.

 

[Horsegirl25]

I'm sorry and hope she is going to be OK

This is not the first time it has happened with rope and certainly won't be the last. I have come across and heard of many others. I remember one ended up in horse hospital being operated on.

You know it’s honestly never ever ever been a thought that’s crossed my mind, I think I was always a bit naive and thought the rope would snap under pressure but it certainly doesn’t! And I always thought how on earth would they be able to catch themselves on rope so high - but they are horses and horses do stupid things!

 

[lozzles]

We had a horse years ago who panicked getting a scan on his already injured suspensory. Got the machine cables wrapped round his legs and bolted out the stable. His legs swelled up a lot but it was just the bruising from the pressure of the cables. He also had superficial grazes from it. Was absolutely fine in a few days.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Unfortunately a friend lost her horse following a similar incident with her horse and rope style fencing. I am so glad your horse will soon recover.

So very lucky you were there OP, in my friends case she was at work and by the time she arrived home and found him two legs were cut right to the bone and he had almost bled out. Very traumatic for all concerned.

I have never used rope since and like shortstuff99 we use breakers spaced out on the tape fencing.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Unfortunately a friend lost her horse following a similar incident with her horse and rope style fencing. I am so glad your horse will soon recover.

So very lucky you were there OP, in my friends case she was at work and by the time she arrived home and found him two legs were cut right to the bone and he had almost bled out. Very traumatic for all concerned.

I have never used rope since and like shortstuff99 we use breakers spaced out on the tape fencing.

That’s horrific for your friend that must have been awful!
Can you point me in the direction of these breaker things I think it may be worth my while getting them.

 

[shortstuff99]

That’s horrific for your friend that must have been awful!
Can you point me in the direction of these breaker things I think it may be worth my while getting them.

Rope Safety Links

These are simple and very effective safety connectors for electric fencing twine and rope up to 6mm diameter. They can be used to join lengths of rope and easily inserted into the fence line as safety links. The stainless steel connectors ensure end-to-end electrification of the polyrope or...

www.ukcountrystore.co.uk

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

This is the type you would need if you have twine or rope type. I can't find the ones I use on tape but I will post if I find a link for anyone else that might need them.

Rope Safety Links

These are simple and very effective safety connectors for electric fencing twine and rope up to 6mm diameter. They can be used to join lengths of rope and easily inserted into the fence line as safety links. The stainless steel connectors ensure end-to-end electrification of the polyrope or...

www.ukcountrystore.co.uk

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Sorry cross posted

 

[Horsegirl25]

Hi everyone, the swelling has went down almost completely. The vet seen her yesterday and is happy with how things are looking, she was allowed to be turned out last night which has made a huge difference to her legs!
By some miracle she isn't lame, she trotted down the field and is just ever so slightly short on tracking up but fingers crossed this will improve.
I can't believe how lucky she has been.

 

[Fransurrey]

Glad it's superficial. You were lucky. We have rope as the main fencing (no choice, as it's livery) and lost an horse in similar circumstances to Mrs. Jingle's friend. We think he'd been squabbling at the fence with two new horses next door.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Glad it's superficial. You were lucky. We have rope as the main fencing (no choice, as it's livery) and lost an horse in similar circumstances to Mrs. Jingle's friend. We think he'd been squabbling at the fence with two new horses next door.

That's the same as us, we are on a livery yard. Owner said that's the first time it's happened in 18 years of the yard being opened so hopefully that will be the last.

 

[Fransurrey]

That's the same as us, we are on a livery yard. Owner said that's the first time it's happened in 18 years of the yard being opened so hopefully that will be the last.

To be fair, it's the only time I've known it happen here and I've been a livery for 11 years, this year!

 

[Goldenstar]

I been using rope since the early 1990’s I had one accident and that was caused by a worker leaving a gate attached at one side and hanging on the other which a huge no no.
I was away, got back in the dark, over night there was thunder storm and Tatts got entangled, he pretty well pulled his foot off he spend weeks in a stall in plaster but recovered fully .
Before that we had loads of accidents caused by horses undertaking madness of various sorts with the post and rails .
Everything is protected with electric now .
I glad your horse is ok that’s a lucky escape .

 

[Fjord]

So glad she's getting better!