Every horse owner and stable yard should have an equine first-aid kit that contains the items most likely to be needed to treat a minor injury or deal with a major accident while waiting for your vet to arrive. But what are these must-have items? We bring you everything you need to know…
Items should be kept in a clean box with a secure lid, preferably in a relatively dust-free area, such as a cupboard. The contents should be replaced as they are used or go out of date, so it is helpful to keep a list of what’s inside attached to the inside of the lid.
It is also a good idea to have a list of useful telephone numbers — such as your vet, a horse transporter you can call on 24/7 and your insurance company.
Equine first-aid kit essentials
1. Clean bowl or bucket
2. Clean towel
Disposable gloves at amazon.co.uk
Get a box of 100 and always have them to hand ready to deal with any injury.
Robinson Healthcare cotton wool roll, £7.85 at amazon.co.uk
This 500g roll is soft and gentle on the skin as well as being highly absorbent.
5. Round-ended curved scissors for trimming hair from wound edges
Grooming scissors, £8.99 at amazon.co.uk
These curved dog grooming scissors have rounded ends, so are ideal for trimming around wounds.
6. Antibacterial scrub
Hibiscrub, £15 at amazon.co.uk
This antimicrobial and antibacterial skin cleanser helps to prevent infections by killing germs on the skin.
7. Packs of sterile saline — very handy when on the move
Sterile saline eyewash, £4.99 at amazon.co.uk
This can also be used on wounds and is available in a range of bottle sizes.
8. Ready-to-use poultice
Animalintex poultice, £16.99 at amazon.co.uk
These poultices are shaped for use on horse hoof but can also be used on wounds. Three dressings per pack.
9. Wound gel
Veterinus Derma Gel, £21.49 at amazon.co.uk
This gel provides a barrier against contaminants and bacteria, and maintains moisture to enable rapid healing. 100ml.
Vetalintex, £7.32 at amazon.co.uk
This cleansing and sterile hydrogel encourages a moist wound condition to help aid recovery.
10. Non-stick dressings
Melolin, £6.39 at amazon.co.uk
This pack of 20 10x10cm dressings are individually wrapped and can be used for all sorts of minor injuries.
11. Gamgee and large sharp scissors for cutting it to size
12. A selection of bandages including:
- Stretch cotton bandages e.g. Knit-Firm
- Adhesive bandages
- Elastic conforming self-adhesive bandages (vet wrap)
- Tubular bandage e.g. Tubigrip
- Synthetic orthopaedic bandage e.g. Soffban
- A set of stable bandages
13. A roll of electrical insulating tape approximately 2cm wide
14. A roll of wide black PVC tape or silver duct tape
Duck Tape, £4 at amazon.co.uk
Duct tape can be used to provide an extra layer of outer protection to a poultice dressing.
15. Petroleum jelly
Vaseline, £1.65 at amazon.co.uk
This is a really handy lubricant for taking a horse’s temperature.
16. Small pair of tweezers
Tweezers, £3.47 at amazon.co.uk
This first-aid tweezers have a handy magnifying glass attached for a better view.
17. Digital thermometer
Thermometer For Animal Owners, £7.95 at amazon.co.uk
This thermometer is designed for horses, pets and livestock, and comes with a protective case so that you can keep it clean.
18. Poultice boot or piece of thick clean plastic suitable to wrap around an injured hoof
WoofWear Medical Hoof Boot, £34.95 at amazon.co.uk
This hoof boot is ideal for covering a dressing or poultice. It’s available in 10 sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
19. Paper and pencil
20. A bright torch for inspecting wounds in poor light – a head torch can be useful as it leaves your hands free
Headtorch, £9.99 at amazon.co.uk
This headtorch is rechargeable via USB, is adjustable and has eight lighting modes.
21. Additional items that are also useful to have to hand include:
- A length of baler twine
- Rope halter
- Hoof pick
- Shoe removal kit i.e. buffer, hammer, pincers, pliers
- Wire cutters
In certain circumstances, your vet may prescribe particular medicines that cannot be obtained over the counter for your first-aid kit. This may happen, for example, if your horse has a recurrent problem. If the vet feels confident in your ability to detect the early signs and that immediate treatment is beneficial, sufficient medication may be left with you so treatment can begin while a visit is being arranged. Medication should only be used for the horse for which it has been prescribed.
NB: Always ensure both you and your horses are fully vaccinated against tetanus, so there is not a panic over every tiny wound.
It’s useful to also keep an equine and human first-aid kit in your lorry or towing vehicle, so should your horse suffer an injury while away from home, you are able to deal with the situation promptly.
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