When should you use your first aid kit?
- Bleeding: a minor scratch is no big deal, but horses are apt to find things like fence wire, posts,
broken rails, and more to cause themselves harm. If the bleeding is spurting or heavy, apply
pressure using your gauze, pound cotton, or a clean towel...heck, even your shirt if it's all you
have. Arterial bleeding is bright red and spurting, and may take 10 minutes to coagulate with
pressure. But horses have a lot of blood, so things like leg wounds are typically ok as long as the
bleeding isn't active and the vet is on the way. Use your vetwrap to create a pressure wrap over
guaze or telfa to staunch the bleeding. NOTE: do not use vetwrap or coflex by itself - if you pull
too tight, you can cut off circulation under your bandage.
- Cuts should be flushed with saline if possible, but large wounds may need to be flushed with a
hose. Tap water can actually kill new tissue, but in cases of dirty wounds, "dilution is the solution
to pollution." Again, apply pressure or a bandage if needed.
- Colics: Most of us have dealt with colics if we've been around horses for any length of time. Be
able to take your horse's vital signs. Temperature should be between 99-101F. Respiratory rate
is 8-10 breaths per minute, and heartrate 36-42 beats per minute. Capillary refill time can be
assessed by pressing the gums and counting how long it takes the color to come back - less than
2 seconds is normal. Listen to your horse's gut sounds high and low on both sides. You should
hear active gut sounds in all quadrants in 20 seconds each area. Little or no gut sounds may
indicate a problem.
- Eyes: any eye problem should be seen as soon as possible. If your horse has tearing or
discharge, won't open his eyelid, or has had a blunt eye trauma call your vet. If you horse will
allow, you can flush the eye gently with saline. Sometimes it's best to leave it until your vet can
come if your horse won't let you near.
Triple antibiotic ointment is a good thing to have on hand for bumps and scrapes, and is very safe. Also
have benadryl antihistamines for yourself! Bee stings or allergic reactions, especially frequent in the
summertime, can become emergencies, so have some on hand!
Finally, ask your vet whether you should have any banamine or acepromazine on hand in your first aid
kit. These are prescription medicines, but are typically safe in the right hands, and most horsemen know
how to administer them to their horses.
To order your complete first aid kit from Inspiritus Equine, Inc. click here --
First aid kit includes:
- 1-dual head high-quality veterinary stethoscope
- 1-digital rectal thermometer
- 1-surgical grade stainless steel 5" bandage scissor
- 1-roll 4" vetwrap
- 1-large sheet cotton wrap for legs
- 2-rolls cling gauze
- 3-large sterile telfa pads
- 1-roll 4" Elastikon tape (the good stuff!)
- 1-large triple antibiotic ointment
- 1-large 12oz saline flush (safe for eyes)
- 2-12cc syringes
- 3-3cc syringes with 22g needles
- 3-alcohol wipes
- 5-3" gauze squares
These are veterinary/surgery quality items, and not the "cheap stuff" you see online - no wasted money
on things like q-tips or tiny gauze you won't ever use. These products are all from a reputed company
that sells only to doctors and veterinarians. And, best of all, they come in an Earth-Friendly cooler bag.
Inspiritus Equine, Inc. is "green" whenever possible.
The first-aid kit is a must-have for every barn, horse owner, and rider. They also make great gifts! And
heck, use the bag for your lunch, too!
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