Every horse owner should have a well-stocked first aid kit. It’s not just about possessing the right tools; it’s about being equipped to respond confidently to injuries or illnesses. In this guide, you will find a comprehensive list of both essential and supplementary items to assemble your horse’s first aid kit.
But before moving to the list, let’s understand what kind of wounds and emergency situations you may need to be ready for, as a horse owner. Horses have the incredible power of getting injured in the most unexpected way even when left alone in the paddock. The worst scenario for you would be not being able to help him while waiting for the vet to arrive. Especially in the situation where for example we are looking at a laceration, you want to be able to clean and assess it as soon as it is noticed.
Most common injuries and wounds in horses
Although every injury is different, here I am attempting to depict some possible scenarios to help you understand why including certain products in a horse first aid kit is important. Certainly, how you handle the wound while waiting for professional advice can make a significant difference.
Here is a list of the most common wounds and injuries you should expect from horses:
Abrasions and scrapes:
These are surface wounds where the skin is scraped off. They are common and usually occur when a horse rubs against a rough surface.
Lacerations:
These are deeper cuts or tears in the skin, often caused by barbed wire, nails, or other sharp objects. They can vary significantly in depth and severity.
Puncture wounds:
These occur when a sharp object, like a nail or a piece of wood, pierces the skin. Puncture wounds can be dangerous as they may appear minor on the surface but can be quite deep and prone to infection.
Bite wounds:
Bites from other horses or animals can cause puncture wounds or tears. These wounds are prone to infection due to the bacteria in the animal’s mouth.
Hoof injuries:
These include bruises, cracks, and abscesses. Horses may step on sharp objects or injure their hooves on uneven terrain.
Wire cuts:
Often occur when horses are kept in areas with old fencing. These can range from minor cuts to deep lacerations. I hope your horse has been previously trained with hobbles for this one!
Kick injuries:
Injuries from being kicked by another horse can range from bruises to serious trauma, depending on the force of the kick and the area impacted.
Injuries from equipment:
Improperly fitted or broken tack can cause rubs, sores, or more serious injuries.
Eye injuries:
These can be caused by foreign bodies, trauma, or infections. Eye injuries should be treated as emergencies due to the sensitivity of the area. In this article, for example, I cover everything about corneal ulcers in horses. Have a read if you suspect your horse is suffering from an eye ulcer, and call the vet immediately!
My personal experience with wounds and injuries on horses
From a personal perspective, I’m pretty scared of wire wounds and eye injuries. I have witnessed horses going from 0 to 100 due to a foot caught in a wire, resulting in severe lacerations. Consequently, it is crucial to ensure that your horse is trained on how to react in dangerous situations, such as getting trapped in a wire. For this, I highly recommend training your horse with hobbles.
In terms of eye injuries, I’ve had some unfortunate experiences with my Arabian, who suffered from three different eye ulcers in a single year. It is essential to be able to recognize a corneal ulcer early and ensure proper eye cleaning while waiting for the vet to arrive. These injuries are particularly frightening to me because time is of the essence and can make a significant difference.
Anyway, let’s now get straight to the point of this article:
Essential items for your horse first aid kit
Let’s start with some essentials to be added to your kit. I’ve included links to both Amazon.com and Amazon.ae, depending on your location, so that you can have it delivered by tomorrow and have your horse first aid kit ready as soon as possible 🙂.
Thermometer:
A digital thermometer is vital for checking your horse’s temperature. Remember, normal temperature for a horse typically ranges between 99.0°F to 101.5°F (37.2°C to 38.6°C). Make sure to use a veterinary thermometer, such as the one linked below, and not one made for humans.
Stethoscope:
Useful for listening to heart and gut sounds, a stethoscope can help you assess your horse’s condition in various situations. This tool is a must-have in a horse first aid kit! On the other hand, a stethoscope can also be a valuable tool in determining whether a horse is suffering from colic. One of the key uses of a stethoscope in a colic assessment is to listen to gut sounds. Normal gut sounds indicate the movement of food through the intestines and are a sign of healthy digestive activity. In cases of colic, these sounds might change. Sometimes, particularly in spasmodic colic, gut sounds may be louder or more frequent. In more serious cases, such as an intestinal blockage, gut sounds may be diminished or absent, indicating a lack of normal gut movement.
Bandages and wraps:
Keep a variety of bandages on hand, including self-adhesive wraps, gauze, and cotton padding. These are essential for wound management and support.
Antiseptic wound cleaner:
Products like iodine or chlorhexidine are effective for cleaning wounds. They help prevent infection and promote healing.
Betadine is my go-to antiseptic wound cleaner. It contains povidone-iodine, which is effective against a range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Betadine is commonly used in both human and veterinary medicine to clean and disinfect wounds, preventing infection and promoting healing. It’s a staple in many first aid kits, including those for horses, due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and ease of use. However, it’s important to follow veterinary guidance on its application, particularly regarding concentration and frequency, to ensure it’s used safely and effectively.
Scissors and tweezers:
A must-have in a horse first aid kit. Blunt-end scissors are safe for cutting bandages, and tweezers are useful for removing debris from wounds.
Instant ice packs:
Instant cold packs can reduce swelling and provide temporary relief from injuries.
Flashlight:
A flashlight or headlamp is invaluable, especially during emergencies at night. A good horse first aid kit should also include objects like this—not strictly needed to treat wounds, but that can make a difference in specific scenarios.
Saline solution:
Ideal for flushing out eyes, saline solution is a gentle way to clean affected areas. Honestly, my go-to product is always Clear Eyes by Farnam.
Disposable gloves:
To keep both you and the wound clean during treatment.
Other important items to include in a horse first aid kit
Always have your vet’s number and other emergency contacts readily available. It doesn’t matter if you already have all these contacts saved in your phone. You might not be there in person as an emergency happens. For this reason, you want to make sure your horse’s groom knows what to do and whom to refer to in case of an emergency.
A good horse first aid kit should also include doses of pain relief medications and electrolytes. Although you should consult with your vet for recommendations on when to administer medications, it’s absolutely a good idea to have them ready when needed.
Tips for maintaining your horse first aid kit
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize some crucial tips for storing your horse’s first aid kit. Depending on the products included, it is essential to conduct regular checks to identify any expired items and medicines. In addition to checking the expiry date, ensure that products such as ointments and wound cleaners are stored in a dry and cool space to prevent them from deteriorating or losing their effectiveness.
Tailor the kit to your horse’s specific needs and medical conditions, incorporating any additional items necessary for emergencies. The primary goal of the kit is to be prepared to address and manage any unforeseen physical conditions in your horse. Therefore, it is prudent to be prepared for anticipated situations as well. For instance, if your horse is prone to skin infections, include a skin emollient or aloe vera to provide relief while awaiting the veterinarian’s arrival.
Ultimately, keep your horse’s first aid kit in an easily accessible location during emergencies. When owning a horse, especially if kept in a remote area, or in a stable where there’s no veterinary immediately available nearby, you should always have your kit ready. While it is a valuable tool for immediate action, it cannot replace the expertise of a veterinarian. Depending on the emergencies you might face and the severity of the injury, a well-equipped horse first aid kit can be the difference between life and death. We owe our horses immediate care and action in the event of the worst-case scenario. So, never underestimate the importance of first aid care!
