Various causes of accidental trauma affecting the equine thoraxic wall and the pathophisiology of pneumothorax are mentioned. Diagnosis techniques, as well as medical and surgical management of the clinical case on a standing horse under field conditions are discussed. Two options used to depressurize the pleural cavity are explained. The paper also mentions the advantages of handling the case under local anesthetic techniques versus general anesthesia. All the procedures were performed at a farm located in the canton of Coronado, Costa Rica.Keywords: thoracic trauma, pneumothorax, standing horse, field conditions, depressurize, pleural cavity, Costa Rica Resumen: Se menciona varias causas de trauma accidental que afectan la pared torácica equina y la patofisiología del neumotórax. Se discuten técnicas para el diagnóstico; manejo médico y quirúrgico del caso, con el caballo en pie, bajo condiciones de campo. Se explican dos opciones utilizadas para despresurizar la cavidad pleural. Se plantean las ventajas de manejar el caso con bloqueo anestésico local versus anestesia general inhalatoria. Los procedimientos se efectuaron en una finca ubicada en el Cantón de Coronado, Costa Rica.Palabras clave: trauma torácico, neumotórax, caballo en pie, condiciones de campo, despresurizar, cavidad pleural, Costa Rica.