Due to their size and curious nature, horses are very prone to injuring themselves. It’s more than likely that your horse will sustain several wounds – as well as a range of minor illnesses – over their lifetime, so having a first aid kit on hand – and knowing how to use it – is essential.
Horse first aid kit essentials
As equine vets, we would strongly recommend that you have a first aid kit ready to go and fully stocked for when an emergency occurs. Here’s a list of items that we routinely use when it comes to treating and managing wounds and ailments:
Wound Care:
- Sterile gauze swabs for cleaning wounds
- Absorbent wound pads for dressing all types of wounds
Bandaging Materials:
- Hospital-grade compression bandage for securing dressings and splints
- Elastic adhesive bandages for support and compression
- Multi-layered poultice and wound dressing, treating laminitis, bruised soles and abscesses
- Sterilised cotton bandages to provide absorbent cushioning for wounds to distal limbs
- Non-woven veterinary Gamgee for use as a highly absorbent secondary wound dressing, providing warmth and padded protection to the wound site
Antiseptics and Cleaning Solutions:
- Betadine or other antiseptic solution for cleaning wounds
- Antiseptic and antibacterial cream (such as White Healer) to control infection of skin wounds and fungal skin infections as well as treating greasy heel, rain scale, mud fever and skin irritations
- Saline solution for initial wound cleaning
Tools:
- Scissors for cutting bandages and tape
- Tweezers for removing splinters or foreign objects
- A digital thermometer to check for fever
Medications:
- Electrolyte sachets to help treat dehydration
- Electro Paste or similar concentrated source of B Vitamins for energy replenishment and thirst stimulation
Miscellaneous Items:
- Medical-grade disposable examination gloves
- Fly repellent
- A flashlight for examining wounds in low light
- A spare halter and lead rope for handling the horse during treatment
Emergency Numbers:
- Contact numbers for your local equine vet in case of emergencies
To make it as easy as possible for horse owners to be prepared in case of emergencies, our CVS Online pet supplies store offers pre-packaged horse first aid kits as well as individual first aid products – all of which are high-quality, and designed for horses.
And to celebrate the end of the financial year, we are offering 10% off on all purchases at CVS Online before 30 June 2024.
Wound management for your horse
Quick and effective action can significantly affect the outcome of an injury and ensure your horse’s speedy recovery, especially during our winter months. Colder weather can add further complication to wound care, as the cooler air can lead to delayed healing, so it’s especially important to be vigilant in looking for any lacerations and taking quick action.
There are four key steps to follow if your horse sustains a wound:
- Stop the bleeding and clean the wound
- Assess the wound
- Cover the wound
- Monitor the wound
Always consult your vet for any serious injuries or if you are uncertain about the proper course of action.
READ MORE: We cover the four step for best practice wound management in more detail in our blog about equine wound management.
It pays to be prepared
While as a horse owner you can’t always prevent injuries, being prepared ensures you can provide the best immediate care.
If you already have a first aid kit, it’s important to regularly check and keep it restocked, and familiarise yourself with basic first aid procedures.
While most wounds are minor and can be treated with some basic first aid knowledge and a well-stocked kit, there are occasions when they can be quite serious and need attention from an equine vet.
If you’re ever concerned about a wound or ailment, or the speed at which it is healing, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at Cameron Veterinary Services on 08 8318 1801 for advice or to book an appointment.
