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.
If you’re underprepared in the first-aid kit department, something fairly routine, such as the need to treat a minor wound or poultice a foot can become a much more stressful experience than it needs to be.
You can buy ready-made horse and rider first-aid kits (like this one on Amazon), but they usually need adding to to ensure you’ve got absolutely everything you need and it’s recommended that you store supplies in a secure box. So what are these must-have items in an equine first-aid kit?
Equine first-aid kit essentials
1. Clean bowl or bucket
2. Clean towel
3. Disposable gloves – get a large box like this one and have them handy to deal with any injury
4. Large roll of cotton wool (like this option from Robinson Healthcare)
5. Round-ended curved scissors (like these ones from Amazon) for trimming hair from wound edges
6. Antibacterial scrub, such as Hibiwash
7. Packs of sterile saline
Sterile saline eyewash | Amazon
This can also be used on wounds and is available in a range of bottle sizes.
8. Ready-to-use poultice, such as Animalintex or NaturalintX– these poultices are shaped for hooves but can also be used on wounds.
9. Wound gel
Veterinus Derma Gel | Amazon
This gel provides a barrier against contaminants and bacteria, and maintains moisture to enable rapid healing.
Vetalintex | Amazon
This cleansing and sterile hydrogel encourages a moist wound condition to help aid recovery.
10. Non-stick dressings, such as Melolin, which come individually wrapped, for minor injuries
11. Gamgee (like this from Amazon) and large sharp scissors for cutting it to size
12. A selection of bandages including:
- Stretch cotton bandages (like these from Amazon)
- Adhesive bandages (like these)
- Elastic conforming self-adhesive bandages (which you might know better as 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 (like this one), which is handy for securing protective boots and bandages
14. A roll of wide tape, such as black PVC tape or silver duct tape
15. Petroleum jelly (like this Vaseline) for taking a horse’s temperature
16. Small pair of tweezers (like these, which also have a magnifier)
17. Digital thermometer (like this one designed specifically for animals)
18. Poultice boot (like this one, which is available in a range of sizes) or piece of thick clean plastic suitable to wrap around an injured hoof
19. A bright torch or head torch (like this one) for inspecting wounds in poor light
20. Additional items that are also useful to have to hand include:
- A length of baler twine
- Paper and pencil
- Rope halter
- Hoof pick
- Shoe removal kit i.e. buffer, hammer, pincers, pliers
- Wire cutters
Storing your first-aid kit
Items in the kit should be kept in a clean box with a secure lid (like this one on Amazon), 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 in the kit — such as your vet, a horse transporter you can call on 24/7 and your horse insurance company.
It’s useful to also keep an equine and human first-aid kit (like this complete 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.
Prescription medicines
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 up to date with vaccinations against tetanus, so there is not a panic over every tiny wound.
Equine first-aid courses
If you don’t feel confident in your equine first-aid knowledge or ability, there are a range of courses available to upskill yourself. They are usually aimed at first-time horse owners and those looking to improve their employability within the equine industry.
Some are in-person practical courses, while others are online and can be studied at your own pace. Some courses also provide a qualification upon completion, which is important if you’re doing this to further your career.
Here are a few examples of equine first-aid courses:
- Equine First Aid at Bishop Burton
- Equine First Aid at Writtle College
- Level 3 Award in Equine Emergency First Aid at National Horseracing College
- Level 3 Award in Equine First Aid via Oplex Careers
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