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FIRST AID ESSENTIALS
For your longeared buddy we recommend that everyone have a few basic first aid essentials. These items will help you dress wounds, reduce swelling and inflammation, and more. In fact, since an equine injury can occur at any time or in any location, keep at least a basic first aid kit in your barn, truck or travel trailer, and saddle bag. Depending on your preference, premade first aid kits are available, or make your own kit with the following items:
Bandages - protect wounds, support muscles, and hold ice packs with horse leg wraps or self-adhesive bandages, including CoFlex, PowerFlex, and Vetrap.
Blunt-Tipped Scissors - safely cut away and remove bandages and wraps.
Buckets - soak hooves and more with a few buckets kept specifically for first aid use.
Flashlight - view wounds and injuries in darkness or poor light conditions.
Hemostat - remove splinters, burrs, thistles, and more from you equines skin with a hemostat.
Hoof Pick - remove foreign objects from hooves and shoes.
Ice Packs - prevent and reduce swelling with Ice Cells.
Lubricant - help insert thermometers with mineral oil or Vaseline®.
PVC Pipes - cut 6" diameter piping in half lengthwise and then into 1-1/2 to 2 foot sections for use as an emergency splint.
Rubbing Alcohol - quickly disinfect scissors, thermometers, and more.
Sheet or Roll Cotton - help apply pressure bandages or offer support to injured muscles or bones.
Sterile Gauze - clean and cover minor cuts and wounds with sterile gauze or Telfa (non-stick) pads of various sizes. Use gauze rolls to hold dressings and pressure wraps in place.
Surgical Gloves - keep your hands clean and help prevent wound contamination.
Thermometer - measure your equines temperature (normal range is 99.0°F to 101°F) with a fast and accurate digital thermometer.
Wire Cutters - free your equines from fences.
Wound Antiseptic - prevent infections with an antiseptic powder or ointment. Some insect repellents, such as Roll-On Fly Repellent and SWAT® are designed for use around wounds to help repel insects for added wound protection.
Wound Cleaner - clean fresh wounds with a gentle, iodine solution like Povidone-Iodine Solution 10%.
Easy access to your veterinarian's and farrier's contact information is also vital. In addition, a complete record of all your equines medications, vaccinations, and wormers is essential - especially in an emergency.
to put in the health records and keep track.
Rita Lynn owned by Misty Valdez