Every horse owner should be prepared for emergencies. While veterinary care is essential for serious injuries, having a well-stocked first aid kit and knowing basic first aid can make a critical difference in outcomes. Here’s what you need to know about equine first aid.
Essential First Aid Kit Contents
Your horse first aid kit should be easily accessible at the barn and ready to travel. Include these essential items:
Wound Care Supplies
- Vetrap or self-adhesive bandages – for securing dressings
- Sterile gauze pads – various sizes for wound coverage
- Cotton roll – for padding under bandages
- Antiseptic solution – dilute chlorhexidine or betadine
- Wound spray or ointment – antimicrobial protection
- Saline solution – for flushing wounds
- Clean towels – for cleaning and applying pressure
Bandaging Materials
- Standing wraps – for leg support and protection
- Polo wraps or track bandages
- Duct tape – for hoof bandages and repairs
- Scissors – bandage scissors with blunt tips
Medications and Tools
- Digital thermometer – for checking temperature
- Stethoscope – for heart rate and gut sounds
- Bute paste or banamine – only with vet authorization
- Electrolyte paste – for dehydration
- Eye wash – sterile saline for eye irrigation
- Flashlight – for examining wounds
- Latex gloves – for hygiene
Keep your veterinarian’s phone number prominently displayed on your kit. For a complete overview of keeping your horse healthy, see our Complete Beginner’s Guide to Horse Care.
Common Emergencies and First Response
Wounds and Lacerations
Horses are prone to cuts and scrapes. For minor wounds:
- Stay calm and secure your horse
- Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding
- Clean the wound with saline or dilute antiseptic
- Apply wound ointment and bandage if possible
- Check tetanus vaccination status
Call your vet immediately for wounds that are deep, near joints, won’t stop bleeding, or involve the eye.
Colic Signs
Colic—abdominal pain—is a serious emergency. Signs include pawing, rolling, looking at the flank, refusing to eat, and lack of manure. Remove food, walk the horse gently if they’re comfortable, and call your vet immediately. Time matters with colic.
Lameness
Sudden severe lameness requires veterinary attention. For mild lameness, check the hoof for stones or foreign objects, feel for heat or swelling, and rest the horse until evaluated. Learn more about hoof health in our guide on how often to clean your horse’s hooves.
Eye Injuries
Eye problems require prompt veterinary care. If you notice squinting, tearing, cloudiness, or swelling, keep the horse in a dark area and avoid touching the eye. Flush gently with sterile saline only if there’s obvious debris.
Knowing Your Horse’s Normal Vital Signs
You can’t recognize abnormal if you don’t know normal. Learn your horse’s baseline vitals:
- Temperature: 99-101°F (37.2-38.3°C)
- Pulse: 28-44 beats per minute at rest
- Respiration: 8-16 breaths per minute at rest
- Gut sounds: Gurgling sounds on both sides
- Capillary refill: Press gum, color returns in 2 seconds
Practice checking these regularly so you’re confident in an emergency. Our article on signs your horse is happy and healthy covers more wellness indicators.
When to Call the Vet
Always call your veterinarian for:
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Signs of colic lasting more than 30 minutes
- Non-weight-bearing lameness
- Eye injuries or sudden vision changes
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever (above 102°F)
- Suspected fracture
- Choking (unable to swallow)
- Allergic reactions
When in doubt, call. It’s better to check with your vet and learn it’s minor than to wait on something serious.
Prevention Is Best
The best first aid is prevention. Regular seasonal care, safe fencing, proper nutrition, and routine veterinary visits prevent many emergencies. Keep your first aid kit stocked, your knowledge current, and your vet’s number handy—you’ll be prepared for whatever comes.
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