7 Times Idiot Horse Owners Turned to Google When They Should Have Called the Vet

Seriously, what is wrong with people?

Like many 21st century human beings, I frequently turn to the Internet when I need answers — equestrian variety included. Where’s the nearest tack shop? How do I measure my horse for a blanket? What is a recipe for homemade fly spray? All this information and more is available 24/7,  just a click away.

Google is my search engine of choice, partly because of the daily Google Doodles (today’s is a nod to the 126th Anniversary of the public opening of the Eiffel Tower) and partly because it sometimes seems like Google can read my mind. I’m always extra-impressed when it suggests a search prediction before I even finish typing my query:

That’s owed to Google’s autocomplete function, which makes suggestions based on popular searches that other users have typed in before. As an experiment this morning, I started typing in various horse-related queries to see what popped up. And what popped up was truly terrifying.

There is a time for Googling, and there is a time for bypassing the Internet and heading straight for the telephone to emergency call your vet. These are a few of those times:

If your horse won’t get up, something is seriously wrong. Call the vet.

Ditto here. Bonus points for this being a popular query: “can my horse tell I’m [sic] pregnant.”

Your horse’s tail fell off? Really?? CALL THE VET.

Your horse’s HOOF FELL OFF? STOP TYPING RIGHT NOW AND CALL THE VET!!!

If your horse’s eyes suddenly turn a different color, you need to call the vet.

Bad news: Even your vet may not be able to help you with this one.

No words.

Stay smart, Horse Nation. Go Riding.