New BEVA Splinting Guide Puts Practical Fracture Stabilisation Advice At Vets’ Fingertips
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New resource provides practical, accessible guidance on temporary equine limb stabilisation in first-aid situations
Equine vets and veterinary nurses can now access practical guidance on fracture and limb stabilisation in one place, with the launch of the new BEVA Splinting Guide at BEVA Congress this week.
The practical guide has been developed to help equine veterinary professionals make informed decisions about external support when faced with an acute injury in the field.
It will be formally launched at BEVA Congress during Ian Beamish’s session, The BEVA toolkit for fracture stabilisation: Highlights and how to use it, on Saturday 12 September 2026.
“Whether you’re facing an emergency in the field or simply want to brush up on your coaptation skills before an event, this resource brings everything together in the palm of your hand,” said Ian Beamish, BEVA Council member who led the production of the guide, together with Nicky Housby-Skeggs.
The comprehensive guide covers practical considerations from the outset, including what bandaging and splinting materials to have available and how to improvise when standard equipment is not to hand.
Practical advice for the acute situation
The acute injury situation can be complex, and the guide emphasises that every patient must be assessed individually, with consideration of co-morbidities, complications and the risks associated with handling and transport.
The guide also reminds vets of the need to put the interests of the horse before anything else and the importance of factoring in the risks to horses and handlers, the use of specialist horse ambulances and the destination of the patient.
Some of the external supports described in the guide are highlighted as suitable for horses being transported and/or as having a therapeutic function.
From bandaging to improvised splinting
The guide provides practical information on:
- Bandaging and splint application, with step-by-step guidance to help practitioners stabilise injuries and support safe transport.
- Bandage material selection, covering the bare minimum, preferable and ideal materials for an equine first-aid kit.
- Making splints when standard equipment is unavailable, including practical advice on using readily available materials.
- Approaching undiagnosed fractures, including situations where the fracture cannot initially be localised or definitively identified.
- Actions before stabilisation or transport, helping practitioners consider patient welfare and handling risks before proceeding.
The guide also provides a qualitative classification of fracture incidence, from frequent cases expected weekly or monthly, through to very rare cases occurring on average once every five years or less, helping practitioners put different presentations into context.
A collaborative BEVA resource
The Splinting Guide is the result of a major collaborative effort led by BEVA Council members Ian Beamish and Nicky Housby-Skeggs, supported by a wider team of contributors.
“Our aim was to produce a practical resource that equine veterinary professionals can turn to when they need clear guidance on temporary stabilisation - whether dealing with an emergency in practice or preparing for the possibility of an injury in the field,” said Ian.
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