No matter how much we baby, care for, and try to look out for our horses, the fact is they can and will hurt themselves. Having an Equine First Aid Kit to hand will help you ensure you are prepared for every little scratch and cut, and will even help you deal with more serious injuries while awaiting the professional help of a veterinarian. Here is a list of supplies we recommend for every Equine First Aid Kit.
Container/Bag – You will want to ensure you use a storage device that can contain all of the items you choose to include in your Equine First Aid Kit.
Sanitation – To help ensure your wound care is the best it can be we include the following in our kit; Gloves, Chlorhexidine Disinfectant Solution, Hydrogen Peroxide, Alcohol, Antiseptic Ointment, Eye Wash, Saline, and Bloostop Powder.
Bandaging – To ensure wounds are appropriately dressed we include; Vet Wrap, Cotton Elastic Bandages (2”-6”), Elastic Adhesive Tape Rolls, Bandage Scissors, Gauze (Various Sizes, Squares and Rolled), Cast Padding, Rolled Cotton, and Polo Wraps.
Medical Equipment – In addition to medical supplies it is important that you are able to perform simple checks like taking your horse’s temperature. For this we recommend the following equipment; Thermometer, Stethoscope, Flashlight, Head Lamp, Tourniquet, Tweezers, Syringes (3cc, 6cc, 10cc, 20cc & 30cc), and Hypodermic Needles (18g and 20g – 1-1.5”).
Other Important Supplies – It is important to prepare for every situation. To do this we include; Spare Halter and Lead Rope, Hoof Pick, Epsom Salts, Liniment, Jelly Lubricant, Duct Tape, Paste Dewormer, Fly Ointment, Fly Spray, Clean Towels (Various Sizes), Clipboard, Notebook, and Emergency Contact Card.
When creating your Equine First Aid Kit it is important to create a maintenance schedule to replace used items, discard out of date items, and remain familiar with the items included so that when disaster hits you are truly prepared.