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You never know if or when your horse may need first aid due to injury or sickness. First aid can range with dealing from minor problems, simple cuts, insect bites / stings, bruises etc…to giving first aid for serious life threatening illness or injury while waiting for the vet to arrive. Many owners are unsure how to administer first aid, and gaining knowledge and understanding is essential.
There are excellent books written on the subject. One example is:
First Aid for Horses. The essential quick-reference guide.
By Tim Hawcroft. ISBN 1 86054 012 0 Publisher Ringpress.
There are also courses run by local colleges, the pony club etc that cover this topic. Coming soon to this website will be links to organisations that offer this training. The more you know and the more practice you gain in giving first aid to horses the more confident you will become.
If you own / care for horses it is essential to have a first aid kit to hand. Your vet can advise you as to what your kit should contain. Even if you are not sure how to use a first aid kit you should have one to hand. Below is a suggested list for a basic first aid kit. You should also take an emergency first aid kit with you when you travel your horse.
First Aid Kit
§ Your Vets Contact Details
§ A Clean Portable Storage Container for your kit. Clearly marked First Aid.
§ Clean Container used mixing up solutions for cleaning wounds.
§ First Aid Guidance. e.g. First Aid for Horses. The essential quick-reference guide. By Tim Hawcroft.
§ Hibiscrub wash this destroys microbes. Gross contamination should be washed off first with saline or a low pressure hose. Use diluted 1:40. Wash wetted hands and arms in a half strength solution before touching a wound, instruments or bandages. Keep solution out of the actual wound, especially if it could involve a tendon sheath, or joint or penetrating flesh wound.
§ Iodine Solution for application near minor cuts and grazes.
§ Sterile Saline Solution for emergency use. Always keep some handy for when there is no clean running water available.
§ Salt to make up a saline solution.
§ Sterile Wound Hydrogel. This promotes a moist wound environment to help cleanse and debride contaminated wounds.
§ An Anti-bacterial Cream. Especially useful for minor cuts and grazes.
§ Wound Powder. For use on minor wounds, saddle sores, bites, cuts and scratches on horses.
§ Instant Ice Packs / Cooling Bandages. For immediate cold compression therapy for bruises, sprains, contusions, excess fluid build up and swelling.
§ Gamgee. Non-woven highly absorbent padding used under bandages, for wound management or for protection.
§ Under Bandage Padding. e.g. Levaband Ideal over dressings as padding under cohesive bandages.
§ Cotton Wool
§ Low Adherent Wound Pads (these are available in various sizes). They are a sterile, non stick wound dressing.
§ Animalintex Poultice is an all-purpose veterinary poultice and dressing. Used hot, it increases the blood supply to the damaged tissues, drawing out infection or ingrained dirt and encouraging healing. Used cold, it will help to reduce swelling and pain following bruising or a strain. It can also be used dry on a clean open wound.
§ Microporous Bandage Tape.
§ Cohesive Bandages e.g. Powerflex / Vetrap elastic bandage that sticks to itself.
§ Pairs Disposable Vinyl Gloves
§ Pair Blunt Ended Stainless Steel Scissors
§ Pair Tweezers
§ Digital Clinical Thermometer
Coming soon to this website will be links for you to find out more about first aid for horses and where you can purchase horse care products, horse first aid products, horse health and equine supplies.
Click here to return to the Horse Care section of the website
Click here to visit the page on When to Call the Vet
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