What Do You Need In A Horse First Aid Kit?

Horses can be rather accident prone, and horse-involved human injuries are common among equestrians. That’s why it is very smart to keep a complete first aid kit in your barn and have another, smaller kit to take along when you ride.

In this article, we present horse first aid kit checklists for both, along with some interesting informational videos to help you compile equine first aid kits for your barn and your saddlebag. Read on to learn more.

Complete Horse First Aid Kit Checklist

Trailering Equine First Aid Medical Kit - Small

Start with a large waterproof storage box. Fill it with:

  1. A one-gallon bottle of distilled water for preparing sterile solutions
  2. Infant sized disposable diapers for use as bandages and hoof wrap
  3. A couple of rolls of sticky bandaging tape (e.g. athletic tape)
  4. A large, clean syringe or squirt bottle for wound irrigation
  5. A pair of 6-inch, blunt-edged, curved dressing scissors
  6. An antiseptic salve or spray with soothing properties
  7. One or two containers of salve for various purposes
  8. A box of table salt for preparing saline solutions
  9. A 3 inch wide stretchy, adhesive bandage
  10. An antiseptic wash, such as Betadine
  11. An 11 inch wide roll of cotton-wool
  12. A spray bottle of antiseptic solution
  13. A 3 inch wide roll of cotton gauze
  14. List of emergency phone numbers
  15. A nose twitch for extra restraint
  16. A large jar of petroleum jelly
  17. A bottle of fly spray or wipe
  18. A package of Epsom salts
  19. A horse thermometer
  20. Spare lead rope and halter
  21. An instant cool pack
  22. Thick leg bandages
  23. Disposable gloves
  24. A plastic bowl

Keep your first aid kit ready to use and in good order at all times. Whenever you use an item, be sure to purchase a replacement and put it in the box right away.

Here, the University of Minnesota Extension shares:

Items To Include In An Equine First Aid Kit

Saddlebag Equine First Aid Kit Checklist

Start with a sturdy, small pouch that will fit in your backpack or saddlebag. Fill it with:

  1. A card with your identifying information (name, age, phone number, medical conditions)
  2. Pocket sized first aid handbook
  3. An assortment of human bandages
  4. A small bottle of antiseptic spray
  5. List of emergency phone numbers
  6. A couple of horse bandages
  7. Disposable gloves
  8. Emergency money
  9. A pocket knife
  10. A hoof pick

Here, the Budget Equestrian explains:

How To Make A Horse First Aid Kit At The Dollar Store

Should I Buy A Ready Made Kit Or Make My Own?

There are certainly plenty of choices in pre-made equine first aid kits to be had, but these tend to be fairly generic and fairly pricey. When you make your own first aid kits, you can save money and include the items you know you will really need.

That’s why, at the end of the day, it just makes more sense to assemble your own kits.

Draw from the information presented here to create a comprehensive, personalized horse first aid kit checklist that will help you in those time pressure situations, in which you need to react quickly to various horse health related matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many horse first aid kits do you need?

It’s smart to have one very complete first aid kit in your barn and a scaled down model that you keep in your trailer or vehicle and that you can carry on trail rides.

2. What’s the best container for your main horse first aid kit?

Your first aid kit should be kept inside a sturdy, waterproof tote that is easy to pick up and carry wherever it is needed.

3. What should be in a horse first aid kit?

A complete first aid kit should contain:
– New or re-purposed (clean) condiment squeeze bottles to be used for washing out wounds
– A box of Epsom Salts to make a soak for sprains or infected wounds
– A box of non-iodized pickling salt for making saline solution
– A couple of sealed, gallon sized bottles of distilled water
– Nesting set of plastic bowls for various uses as needed
– Disposable diapers (small size) to use as hoof wraps
– Cold pack (either instant or kept in a nearby freezer)
– One roll each of cotton wool and cotton gauze
– A set of blunt-edged, curved dressing scissors
– Several rolls of self sticking bandage tape
– Digital veterinary rectal thermometer
– Antiseptic spray and wash (Betadine)
– An adhesive stretch bandage (Ace)
– Nose twitch for restraint if needed
– Emergency phone number list
– A spray bottle of fly repellent
– Spare lead rope and halter
– Antiseptic spray (Bactine)
– Heavy duty leg bandages
– Multipurpose dressings
– Petroleum jelly

4. What sort of container should you use for your travel first aid kit?

A durable bag that can be attached to your saddle, worn or placed in a backpack during rides is best.

5. What are 10 items in a basic travel first aid kit?

– A new, light, sturdy nylon rope strong enough to tie your horse
– A pocket knife that is equipped with a hoof pick
– Your emergency medical and contact info
– First aid items for you (e.g. Band-Aids)
– A small bottle of antiseptic spray
– Reading glasses if you need them
– Emergency phone numbers list
– First Aid information sheet
– A couple of bandages
– Emergency money

6. What do you need to check a horse’s vital signs?

You’ll need a digital rectal thermometer, a stethoscope, pen or pencil and paper to document your results.

7. What should not be in a first aid kit?

Don’t keep used items (bandages, ropes, etc.) in your first aid kit as they may contaminate other items in the kit. Always clean out the kit and replenish it with new supplies after every use. Clean and sterilize scissors, clippers, bowls, thermometer, etc. after every use. You can wipe off and sterilize the outside of plastic bottles, but don’t keep a dirty lead rope and halter in your main kit, and don’t reuse the light nylon rope in your travel kit unless you are able to wash it and then roll it up so that it is as small and compact as it was when it was new.

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