Equine First Aid
Emergency Care Information and First Aid Kit
It is important to keep your first aid kit near your horse whether they are at the stable, travelling or competing away from home. Horses are prone to injury. Some injuries can be superficial while others can be life threatening.
Remember Aireworth Vets are only a phone call away, night or day and the Vet is often able to give advice on the phone whilst they are on their way to you. However, regardless of the situation, it's important to remember these key points:
1. Keep the horse as calm as possible. Your own calm behaviour will help achieve this.
2. If possible move the animal to a safe, dry well light area where it is unlikely to further injure itself and the situation can be assessed.
3. Get someone to help you, and delegate responsibilities, such as talking to the Vet, retrieving the first aid kit, holding the horse, obtaining clean water and so on.
4. Notify your Vet immediately if you see any of the following:
- Excessive bleeding
- The entire skin thickness has been penetrated
- A wound near or over the joint
- If any structure(s) underlying the skin is/are visible
- The horse is non-weight bearing lame
- The wound is severely contaminated
5. Be prepared to provide specific information about the horse's condition, your name and address, and your location.
6. Listen closely and follow your equine vets instructions.
7. Use your first aid kit while waiting for the vet to arrive or to treat superficial wounds which are none of the above.
What should a First Aid Kit contain?
A useful First Aid Kit should ideally contain the following items:
Latex Examination Gloves - Wear these to prevent contamination to yourself or the wound.
Iodine Solution Diluted - For example Medidine is an iodine solution which can be diluted by approximately 10ml to 1 litre of water. Any contaminated wounds or foot abscesses should be flushed out with this diluted solution that acts as a disinfectant. Do NOT use neat on wounds.
Sterile Gauze Swabs - Use these when cleaning the wounded area with a Diluted Iodine Solution
Saline - Use to flush fresh wounds before applying a bandage bandaging.
Wound Dressings and Self-Adhesive Tape - for example Zorbopad are a sterile non-adherent double-sided absorbent wound pad. They can be applied to the wound to prevent further contamination.
Pads and Wraps - For example Soffban provides a padded layer that can then be secured with a self-adhering vet-wrap in order to cover the wound and secure the Zorbopad. This action will help prevent wound contamination and reduce excessive bleeding.
Poultice Wound Dressing - For eample Animalintex Poultice can be used as a hot or cold poultice for treating foot abscesses, sprains, wounds or foot conditions. Position and secure with a vet wrap and/or black tape to prevent contamination from the environment.
Blunt-tipped Bandage Scissors - A pair of scissors are invaluable in a first aid kit for many reasons!
Rectal Thermometer - An adult horse's normal temperature is between 99.0 and 101 degrees F. A foal is usually between 100 and 102 degrees F.
Derma Gel - Derma Gel is an isotonic formulation available in gel indicated for intensive and rapid skin care. Derma Gel ensures a uniform porous barrier of protection against bacterial attack, foreign contaminants, avoiding desiccation and maintaining an ideal percentage of moisture for wound healing.
To order a first aid kit, or any of the items we recommend, please contact the practice and speak to one of our qualified equine nurses.