I’m a big believer in being prepared so apart from a fully stocked first aid kit, it’s important to have knowledge about what to do in an emergency situation.
Something I wish someone had told me earlier in my horse owning journey: first aid knowledge isn’t just for vets.
I’ve been doing Dr Lizzie’s emergency and first aid training, and it has filled so many gaps I didn’t even know I had. From recognising early warning signs to knowing how to hold the line until the vet arrives, and sometimes how to avoid needing the vet all together!
Dr Lizzie regularly offers a Free Masterclass so I’m sharing it everywhere because the more horse owners who have this knowledge, the better it is for all of our horses.
One of the very helpful things in this course is a list of items for an effective First Aid Kit. I’ve added a few more things I also like to include along with where to find them.
Available from a Homeopath or Pharmacy:
- Rescue Remedy drops (for any kind of trauma or shock)
- Homeopathic Apis (for insect bites and stings)
- Arnica ointment & drops (for bruising, hematomas and sprains)
- Aloe Vera gel (soothing for burns and wounds)
- Savlon liquid or iodine – 7-10% solution should be diluted 1-3 parts water.
- Sterile saline
- Chlorhexidine
- Antibacterial hand wash
- Large Padded wound cover
- Space blanket (handy if you’re travelling)
- Blunt nose bandage scissors
Available from a supermarket
- Natural salt – to make a wound cleaning solution add ½ tablespoon to 1 litre of water
- Absorbent pads (the type women use) and disposable nappies (for poultices)
- Washing cloths or gauze sponges for cleaning wounds
- Lubricating Gel
- Petroleum Jelly
- Clean towel
- Disposable gloves
- Plastic wrap (Clingfilm)
- Tweezers
- Pen, pencil & notebook (for recording vital info and times until the vet arrives)
- Electrical tape & duct tape
- Torch – manual charging or with fresh batteries
- A plastic container with a lid to hold the first aid kit contents – this can also double as a dispensary tray (lid) and clean bucket (for washing solution).
Available from your vet supply store or saddlery store
- Vetwrap elastic bandage rolls
- Elasto-plast adhesive bandage rolls
- Animalintex poultice (for leg swellings)
- Large roll of cotton wool – to pad wounds
- Paraffin gauze or other non-stick wound cover (Melolin dressings)
- Plain gauze dressing (Soffban/cast padding)
- Digital thermometer
- Stethoscope
- Scalpel
- Various sized syringes & needles (for wound/eye irrigation)
- Hoof pick
- Instant cold/hot pack
- Your Vet’s phone numbers (listed so others using your kit can easily find)
- Record of your Horse’s normal vital signs (Heart rate, respiration, temperature)
- Electrolyte paste — for hydration support in illness or stress situations
- Stress/gut support paste
- Oral sedative
- Antibacterial ointment for minor wounds (triple antibiotic/Furazone equivalent)
HEALING TREATMENTS
Apart from the items above, here are some of the other healing treatments I like to keep in my First Aid kit for follow up use.
Available from Pharmacies
- Manuka Honey (for treating wounds, especially where proud flesh is evident)
- Comfrey ointment (for treating bone injuries)
- Tea Tree oil (for wounds)
- Colloidal silver (antibacterial for internal and external use)
Available from veterinary supplies/Saddleries
- Filtabac ointment (antibacterial sunscreen for wounds and white noses)
- Equifibre (for seedy toe)
- Fly Repellent ointment (to put around open wounds)
- Hoof testers (optional)
Remember, if you have an effective first aid kit you can do something for your horse until the vet arrives, especially when you know what to do. That’s where Equine Emergency & First Aid training helps and provides an ongoing and easily accessible reference.
