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Disasters happen. Unexpectedly. So it’s super important to have a plan in place ahead of time for both you and your horses. Since June is National Pet Preparedness Month, this month’s blog posts include ideas about how you can help keep your horses safe if the worst should happen.
An important part of disaster planning includes having a stocked first aid kit on hand. But what should you put in your horse first aid kit?
Before we get to a list of handy items to have, it’s important to point out that first aid does *not* take the place of seeing a veterinarian. First aid is only meant to provide immediate stabilizing care so that you can seek further treatment with a licensed veterinarian.
You can even get your veterinarian involved in building your first aid kit. Not only can they make great suggestions of what to include, they can help teach you how to use the items appropriately including taking vital signs, bandaging, etc.
Finally, it is important to regularly check your first aid kit to make sure it is stocked and all items are in date. Now…on to what to include in your horse’s first aid kit!
Recommended items for your Horse First Aid Kit:
Contact info – Include contact info for your regular veterinarian as well as local large animal emergency hospitals
Info about your horse – Make sure to include an updated list of your horse’s current medical conditions, medications, and supplements. It can be really helpful to include pictures of the medication and supplement labels so that a veterinarian will have all the information they need to provide the best care to your horse.
List of normal values for vital signs – Including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, gut sounds, etc.
Notepade and pen – Keep records of everything! This information is important to help a veterinarian provide appropriate further care.
Twitch
Thermometer – Make sure you mark it for animal use only!
Bandage (blunt tipped) scissors
Flashlight – For better visualization in low light situations
Pliers – For bending over nails. Do not remove a nail from a hoof until directed by a veterinarian. Instead, bend over the nail to prevent it from penetrating deeper, wrap the hoof for protection, and seek immediate veterinary care.
Flymask – To help protect an injured eye.
Gloves – Latex free are recommended.
Cooler – To help keep a chilled horse warm.
Towels
Gauze
Sterile water flush – To flush eyes/clean wounds.
Chlorhexadine or Betadine scrub – For cleaning wounds.
Betadine solution – Combined with sugar to pack hooves.
Sugar – Combined with Betadine solution to pack hooves.
Epsom salts – For soaking hooves.
Wound ointment – There are lots of wound ointments available. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Non-stick wound dressing – Such as Telfa or Adaptic pads…for covering wounds prior to bandaging.
Feminine hygiene pads – To cover more actively bleeding wounds.
Diapers and duct tape…and/or a poultice boot – For wrapping hooves.
Bandage material – Personally, I recommend stocking your first aid kit with polo or standing wraps to serve as bandages because these are easy to find, reusable, and can also function as general leg wraps (especially if you include a set of quilts).
