Horse First Aid Kit

becdubie · Horse First Aid Kit

What's in yours? I'm trying to put together a list of supplies to keep on hand for horse first aid.
Would anyone like to share your first aid must haves and what you use them for?

carefreegirl

I don't have an official first aid kit, and mine could use some work, and I don't remember what all I have, but some things I do have are:

gauze (4X4), --bandaging wounds
the vet wrap stuff (that is self adhesive) --bandaging wounds
some antibacterial wound spray, some antibacterial wound cream, --preventing infection in wounds
apple cider vinegar, --to irrigate/soak wounds helps to prevent infection and promote healing
large plastic bags (multiple gallon ziplock bags or IV bags from vet), --use to keep rags mentioned later clean, and to soak hooves in, etc
some duct tape and some masking tape ---to hold on bandages/ bags use to soak
some sun screen --near wounds that have lost hair if necessary, on white areas that are showing signs of sunburn in the summer
some tea tree oil, --has antibacterial properties,
some bug spray, --keep bugs away from wounds
I either use frozen vegetables from the freezer and/or I have a cool/hot wrap thing that I have used that you place in cold/hot water before use or freeze in freezer before use, --use to sooth away pain/ combat inflammation
I also have a garden hose and spigot handy (whenever possible-obviously can't be in first aid kit) for cold hosing if necessary, --great for cleaning wounds, and combating swelling
some abscess ointment from the vet,
some Epsom salts, --used for soaking wounds
some Vaseline, --lubrication if needed/ protects against bugs
usually have Listerine handy, --good for skin problems
some syringes (without needles--top cut off for giving medicines orally), and syringes (without needles--but top still on to irrigate deeper wounds with)
some bute, --pain/inflammation control
some clean towels and rags, --to dry/clean wounds,
a homemade tail wrap/bandage, and homemade polo wraps (very simple to make out of fleece, velcro, and spandex(for tail wrap, not polo wraps) like material) --to support legs, to keep tail out of the way/away from wound--use as temporary tourniquet if necessary
hoof pick --dislodge stones/first step of cleaning feet
spray bottle --to use on areas that are hard to soak when don't have a hose--can also put medicine in it, or apple cider vinegar to spray wounds with
scissors
Edit to add: I also have a scrub brush like the ones used on dishes--used to clean wounds, specifically I have used it mostly to clean off/remove scratches

Most of this is all in one medium sized black box that is easy to take places--there are a few things in other locations, but all within a close vicinity to each other.

vet's number plugged into cell phone, and written inside First Aid Kit and hanging on fridge (should probably put down one other vet's number in my first aid kit to be safe)--

I have a card made out that I use when going somewhere new, that has, my horses name, his normal vital signs, his picture, any special information if needed at the time, or if he has stable vices/kicks/bites, etc (which he doesn't, but that is good information to put on such a card if your horse does)., and my name and contact information and the contact info of one other person if possible on a card that I post outside his stall if we go somewhere new--a habit I picked up from Pony Club

Things that I know I want to add to help me be better prepared:

Banamine and the one stuff Kelsey mentioned that was good for preventing/treating colic, but can't think of what is called right now (Kelsey want to chime in?)
ACE or other calming supplement--need to do more research on this before I choose which one I want --so I can help keep horse calm if necessary --could use savvy string in a pinch to do the lip twitch thing
stethoscope --make checking respiration easier--and can learn about heart and gut sounds so can check those to so I can tell when they are not normal
thermometer --so I can check temperature on my own
tweezers --to pull things out of wounds
small hammer--to pull nails/objects out of feet
would like to eventually get some soaking boots
edit to add: wire cutters (thanks Sunny Acres Ranch for reminding me--I knew there was something else important that I need to get)

I am sure there is more, but that's long enough for now...

PasoBaby_CarolU

I have essentially three kits. One for trail riding:

roll gauze, vet wrap, duct tape, large dressings, horseman's pocket knife, some human bandaids and triple antibiotic. If I'm going for a long, group ride, I add an Epi Pen.

In the horse trailer I carry more vet wrap, more dressings, wound coat, stop bleeding powder, banamine, electrolytes, Absorbine, DMSO, Ace, syringes, and...I'd have to look.

At home I have TONS of stuff. I used to be an EMT and keep full first aid supplies on hand.

creekwood

Chablis

In addition to the above, I also have gladwrap (to wrap horses leg in) when I need to do cold water therapy so as not to saturate the leg.

I always have the non-stick dressings (human grade 'Melolin') but I also have tons of nappies to use as padding.

Really cheap and you can buy them just about anywhere.

I also always have fly spray to keep flies (a big problem here - spring to autumn (fall)) off any wounds/dressings.

Usually 3 or 4 jars of active manuka honey (min 10 +) after using it so sucessfully on two really nasty wounds. Plenty of salt so I can easily clean wounds and it doesn't go *off*.

becdubie

Thanks everybody. This is all useful information. I really like the glad wrap cold therapy....great idea.

carefreegirl

what is the harm in saturating the leg? I'd think you would want to, so that the cooling effects last even longer as the water drys/evaporates--also the running water would thoroughly clean the wound. I guess I'm asking in what situations would you not want to saturate the leg? I'm guessing times when you are wanting to cool the leg frequently, where the constatnt wetting and drying would perhaps harm the skin, but in those situations where you don't want to saturate the leg why not just use a cold pack or frozen vegetables? so then you don't wet the hoof either. anyway just asking, always looking to learn, so want to know the reasoning behind using the glad-wrap/plastic wrap.

Sunny Acres Ranch

Add wire cutters to your lists. I had a young horse buck in response to getting bit by a horsefly this week, and he came down with his leg in the hot wire fence. He tore out of there, but ended up with a piece of wire wrapped pretty tight around his leg. Luckily, I seen him do it and caught him right away. He was calm, but we searched for 10 minutes for a pair of wire cutters. Lesson learned.

Chablis