Health Concerns

Traveling Equine First Aid Kit

 

Don’t Leave Home Without It!

 

As a full-time, practicing veterinarian I live in a world that is overstocked with medicine, tack, and supplies. When the weekend comes I leave my trusty vet truck at home and grab my first-aid kit, toss it into the horse trailer and head for the nearest mounted shooting match. I’ve done this for several seasons, and I have fine-tuned what goes with me in the way of first-aid.  Sure, I could take my professional doctor kit, but that would be overkill.  It’s got too many supplies that I just don’t need in those circumstances.

 

First-aid kits are an essential piece of equipment for all horse owners. I strongly recommend that anyone who has horses either at home or on the road have at least a minimum set of medical supplies that are properly organized and available at all times. No sensible person would argue the need for a first-aid kit, but what’s in the kit varies.

 

I have developed two levels of first-aid kits, a basic and an advanced (see illustrations). The basic is for beginners and those less inclined to treat injuries themselves.  It has what is necessary to antiseptically clean a wound, wrap a leg, treat a fever, reduce swelling or provide pain relief (see illustration). These items will help to manage most problems for the short-term while more in-depth care is being arranged.  I place all of the supplies in a handy, portable, mini doctor’s bag, usually made of heavy-duty canvas, which can be purchased at most department stores.  Total price tag: about $75.

 

The advanced first-aid kit includes a much more comprehensive set of medications, including several prescription drugs, suture material, eye ointments, stethoscope, thermometer, local anesthetics, and more (see illustration). I provide this to a select set of regular clients with whom I’ve built a high level of trust, and feel confident that its contents will be properly administered. I recommend developing that kind of relationship with your regular vet for many reasons, not the least of which is to obtain many of these medications for your comprehensive first-aid kit.

 

First-aid kits are as individual as the owners themselves. If you’re a leg man, you might consider boosting your supplies for lameness problems. If your horse has allergies or runny eyes, consider supplementing your ophthalmics. If your horse tends to colic or tie-up occasionally, keep your pharmaceuticals well stocked. The bottom line: build your own personalized kit which best meets the needs of you and your horses. Keep only things that you might actually use.  Your vet can provide guidance.

 

Keep in mind some important facts.  First, all pharmaceuticals—including pastes, creams, injectables, and eye drops—have storage temperatures printed right on the label. The range is usually 59ºF to 85ºF. Many medications can be rendered completely useless or even dangerous if they are allowed to either freeze or to burn up in your horse trailer. If your medications are in question do not use them.

 

Injectable medications are a part of most first-aid kits, and these require some extra caution: do not try to give intravenous injections to any horse unless you are fully trained and qualified to do so. The carotid artery lies directly beneath the jugular vein and it is not uncommon for an inexperienced person to pass through the jugular vein and hit the carotid artery. When that happens, usually the horse will flip over backwards; in rare cases, the animal will die.

 

There’s not enough time or space here to describe the uses of all the supplies in the first-aid kit. If you don’t know what a drug is for or how to use it, don’t carry it. If you are uncomfortable giving injections, limit yourself to the oral pastes. Be familiar with what you have and be prepared to use it if necessary.

 

Finally, keep your kit close at hand. I never leave home without mine, even for what might appear to be a quick trip down the road. You never know when you or one of your friend’s horses will have need. Many of the basic supplies can be used equally well on humans, dogs or other creatures if the circumstances dictate.

 

In summary, carry a first-aid kit at all times you are around horses. Keep it organized and clean. Watch what temperature you store your supplies at. Restock it promptly when you use things out of it. Know where it is and be able to find it quickly. If you are ready and equipped for emergencies it seems that they are less likely to arise and are less severe when they do.

 

ADVANCED EQUINE FIRST AID KIT

~Banamine Paste
~Bute Paste
~Gauze 4” x 4” (10)
~Gloves- Medium
~Iodine
~Nonadherent Pads
~Scissors   
~Thermometer
~35cc Syringe
~Vet Wrap Large (2)
~Wound Brochures
~Betadine Scrub
~Enema
~Telfa pads (2)
~Brown Gauze 6” (4)
~Bute tabs (10)
~Triple Antibiotic Ointment
~Q-tip (12)
~Hemostats 5 1/2”
~ Leg sweat
~1” white tape
~Cast padding (2)
~ Bandage Scissors 5 1/2”
~250 ml Lidocaine

 

BASIC EQUINE FIRST AID KIT

~Banamine Paste
~Bute Paste
~Gauze 4” x 4”
~Gloves- Medium
~Iodine
~Nonadherent Pads
~Scissors   
~Thermometer
~35cc Syringe
~Vet Wrap
~Wound Brochures

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