Educating the public about the plight of equines through rescue and sanctuary
August 3, 2009
Basic First Aid Kit
Michelle Beagle, Registered Veterinary Technician, Redwings Horse Sanctuary Board of Directors
Every horse owner should have a basic first aid kit in their show trailer, emergency evacuation kit, and tack room. The kit provides you with basic care before a veterinarian can see your horse. Your veterinarian can teach you how to properly use many of these items, such as applying wraps and medications.
| Basic First Aid Kit Contents | |
|---|---|
| Ace bandages or polo wraps Leg quilts or cloth baby diapers Bandage scissors Bucket Cloth tape, 3’ width Cotton rolls Davis or easy boot Duct tape (emergency hoof wrap) Electrical tape (holds on ice packs) Gauze rolls Heavy duty aluminum foil (Hoof injury) Hoof nippers Telfa pads |
Hoof file Hydrogen peroxide Instant ice, ice boot, or an ice pack Thermometer Mentholated ointment (fly repellent) Vet wrap Iodine solution Liniment (human and animal variety) Cell phone (perhaps prepaid) Flashlight Human first-aid kit Electrolytes |
You may want to add prescription items in your kit. Your veterinarian can help you know why, how, and when to use them.
| Prescription First Aid Kit Contents | |
|---|---|
| Antibiotic eye ointment Antibiotic ointment Azium powder Banamine Furacin ointment or spray Sterile saline Nolvasan solution Phenylbutazone (“Bute”) |
|
Place all of your first aid items in a plastic bin that can be easily transported to shows or in the event of an emergency. Putting it all in a plastic bag further insures that it stays dry. You can put moisture-absorbing material (desiccant) in the container. You can find these moisture “magnets” at most variety stores. Store it all in a cool and easily accessed space.
Remember to look at the condition of your kit and replace expired products two to four times a year. Some people use this time to perform mock emergency evacuations.
Citation: MLA
Beagle, Michelle. “Basic First Aid Kit” Redwings Horse Sanctuary. 3 Aug. 2009. <http://redwingshorsesanctuary.org/horsecare/firstaid.html>
Citation: APA
Beagle, Michelle. (2009). Basic First Aid Kit. Retrieved from http://redwingshorsesanctuary.org/horsecare/firstaid.html
