How to manage recovery from anaesthesia in the horse - to assist or not to assist?

Thirty percent of all equine perioperative deaths are related to severe injury of the musculoskeletal system including fractures during the recovery phase, making recovery a critical part of equine anaesthesia. The opinion on the utility of the routine use of assistance for the horse is very variable and seems to depend largely on personal experience. The aim of this survey was to collect information on type and frequency of assisted recoveries and other measures to improve the recovery phase in horses as they are used and taught by Diplomates of the ACVA or ECVAA. Questionnaires from 34 institutions from 15 countries could be evaluated. In 50% of the equine hospitals assisted recovery was the standard method, whereas in 41.2% the standard was free recovery without assistance. Assisted recovery as the standard method of recovery prevails in North America (North America 11 of 12 clinics versus Europe 5 of 17). Head and tail ropes are used in the majority of equine hospitals (94.1%) as one method to assist the horse. Specialized equipment for high risk recoveries with lifting or weight neutralizing properties is available in 15 of 34 (44.1%) hospitals. Criteria given by ACVA/ECVAA Diplomates for changing from an unassisted to an assisted recovery method were related to type and site of surgery as well as the presence of a cast. Horse and anaesthesia related factors as well as available manpower and familiarity with the recovery system also play a role.