Ways to Use a Sling on a Horse

Slings are useful in lifting an older or arthritic horse, for an emergency rescue, support during surgery and recovery after anesthesia, as an aid in injury rehabilitation and in treating severe laminitis. A sling provides full skeletal body and head support while lifting, transporting or caring for a horse. There are several types of slings, including a Large Animal Lift, the Becker Sling, the Anderson Sling, the Liftex Sling and an Ambulatory Sling. They can be used with a full-size horse, pony or miniature horse.

  1. Older Horse

    • The Large Animal Lift or the Becker Sling can be used for a horse that lies down, but is unable to get up on its own due to age or arthritis. The Large Animal Lift was developed by the University of California, Davis, as a short-term lift and for a horse that needs long-term rehabilitative support.

    Emergency Airlift

    • A horse that becomes trapped after falling or stranded during snowstorms or floods can be safely lifted and transported to safety with a sling. The Becker sling, created by Kathleen Becker, DVM, is a vertical lift sling, intended for lifting a horse out of a variety of difficult areas. In extreme circumstances, a horse may need to be airlifted out of significantly hard-to-reach areas. Critical measures are taken to preserve the safety of rescue personnel and to prevent further injury to the horse. In these situations, the Anderson Sling is typically used because of its ability to effectively control the horse's head and body during helicopter transport.

    Surgery and Anesthesia Recovery

    • Equine surgery presents numerous challenges. The horse's body needs to be fully supported, while remaining somewhat mobile. The veterinary surgeon must have the capability to perform critical musculoskeletal procedures without having to move the entire weight of the horse's body. The sling provides full body support, bearing the entire weight of the horse. After the surgery, it affords the horse the ability to recuperate from the effects of anesthesia without the danger of falling due to being disoriented. The Anderson Sling and the Liftex Sling are used by the majority of veterinary hospitals for equine surgeries.

    Injury Rehabilitation

    • A horse that sustains serious injury and requires either short-term or long-term rehabilitation receives substantial benefit from a sling. It improves the healing process for injuries such as strains, fractures, torn or lacerated muscles and ligaments, and nerve damage. The sling limits the amount of weight the horse must bear to stand, repairing the injury more quickly, improving circulation and eating and drinking habits, and making the recovery process more successful. Because of its ability to provide middle body, rump and head support, as well as a face mask and halter, the Anderson Sling is generally used for injuries and related rehabilitations.

    Laminitis/Founder

    • The disease of laminitis, which can lead to founder and leave a horse critically lame or cause death, is an inflammation of the tissues within the hoof. It results in a loss of oxygen to the hoof's surrounding tissues and a decrease in blood supply, inhibiting a horse's ability to bear weight due to pain. A sling can slightly lift a horse off the ground to trim a laminitic or foundered horse's feet. A Kentucky veterinarian and blacksmith joined efforts and created a specialized Ambulatory Sling. It enables the horse to bear some weight without added pressure on one particular limb, yet allows the horse to remain mobile enough to graze, preventing weak and atrophied muscles.