As a horse owner, you know that your four-legged friend can get into some crazy situations. Ones that make you shake your head, and your vet say “What did they do now?!”. We’ve all been there, and we all know a horse that should be encased in bubble wrap for their safety and your wallet. You regret not being prepared for those situations, and in this case, better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. For being such a big creature, horses sure are delicate.
Why do I need an equine first aid bag?
Your veterinarian is a very busy person. They don’t always have time to come out to immediately see your horse. It’s vital to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand at all times. It will help with those incidents when a vet can’t get to you right away or when your horse may not actually need a vet and just a little TLC instead, such as:
- If your horse cuts themselves on a trail ride
- Plays too hard with their pasture mates
- Gets stuck in a gate
- Slips a hoof over the fence
- Hoof abscess
- Hurts themself in the horse trailer
It is important that small cuts and scrapes get treated. The longer they are ignored the more likely they are to get infected. Having a kit with the essentials on hand for those times could save your horse’s life.
I have a small budget. What are the basic horse first aid supplies I should have?
Alongside their feed and hoof trim, having a budget for a first aid kit for your horse should be at the top of your list. All of these items are affordable and a must-have when it comes to a complete first aid kit for your horse.
1. Vet Wrap
Vet wrap is like the bailing twine or duct tape of your first aid kit. It can not only be used not only for your horse but for you too. Forget your hair tie? Vet Wrap. Horse bleeding and you need to apply pressure without playing the “dancing” game? Vet Wrap. Hurt yourself but don’t have a band-aid? Cotton and vet wrap. If your mare is pregnant, use it to wrap up their tail when they go into labor. If you’re well-versed in applying an IV, use to hold the needle in place. Vet wrap is strong enough to wrap your horse’s hooves if their shoes fall off or if they have to be treated for an abscess. Plus, it comes in lots of different colors and patterns!
ASI Wrap-It-Up Cohesive Flexible Bandage 4 in.
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2. A Roll of Cotton
You wouldn’t put the sticky part of a band-aid directly on a wound, right? Think of the cotton as the cloth part that you would use to soak up blood from a scratch. It is just as important as vet wrap if you need to bandage up your horse. If you put a cotton roll in your horse first aid kit, make sure that it is in a sterile package and that that package stays sealed until you need it. If you use dirty cotton on an open wound, you risk causing an infection.
Durvet Practical Cotton Roll, 15.75 in. X 11.75 in. X 16 in.
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3. Iodine Spray
Iodine is used for disinfecting wounds and should be applied just like you would rubbing alcohol. Spray the area and let it fully dry before dressing the wound. It can also be useful if your horse has thrush, or if any of your other animals get scraped up. Make sure that if you are buying unfiltered Iodine that you mix it in a clean spray bottle with filtered water. Don’t use water from your garden hose because it could contain bacteria or particles that will make your horse’s wound worse.
4. Corona Cream
Corona Cream acts like an animal version of triple antibiotic ointment. It also creates a barrier to keep the flies off of any wounds your horse gets in the pasture or stall. If you have a horse with pink skin, you know how easily they get sunburned. If you have forgotten to put on their sunscreen, Corona Cream provides relief and help their sunburn heal faster. It is even safe to put on your horse’s more delicate regions like their face or ears.
Corona Multi-Purpose Ointment 7 oz.
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5. Instant ice pack
Instant ice packs help keep swelling down. The best part? You don’t need a freezer to store them! They can be kept in the same place that you store your other equine first aid supplies. They can also help with sore joints and hot spots.
6. Liniment Gel
Have you ever used IcyHot or DeepBlue (the natural alternative) on your sore muscles? Think of liniment gel as the horse version of IcyHot. It is used for sore muscles and stiff joints, which is helpful if your horse is arthritic. Just like us, horses can getsore after a workout. Liniment gel mixed with some light stretching can go a long way for post trail ride recovery. If you are applying the liniment gel yourself, make sure you wear gloves. Liniment gel contains Menthol and is extremely uncomfortable if you happen to touch your eye after applying it; even if you’ve washed your hands.
Farnam Vetrolin Liniment Gel with Hyaluronic Acid, 12 oz.
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How and where should I store my horse emergency kit?
Products that are in a horse first aid kit can be sun-sensitive. Keeping your first aid kit in your horse trailer can help keep everything fresh and unsoiled. ALWAYS STORE VACCINES IN A REFRIGERATED AREA. Vaccines that are stored at room temperature can become unsafe for your horse.
Your equine first aid kit should be easily accessible to anyone who needs it. Having the ability to be zipped, closed, or locked is a must. This prevents any critter who decides to make a home in your trailer or tack room from making a nest out of any of your first aid supplies. A bag or tote designed for storage will do the trick. It is easy to carry and can be moved to different places as needed. A stand-up metal toolbox is also acceptable.
Have questions or need help finding the right supplies? Chat with your local Wilco Area Specialists for more tips, tricks, and farm favorites.
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