Given the chance, a horse could probably find a way to hurt himself while covered in bubble wrap. Good news! You can address minor injuries on your own with a well-stocked first aid kit. Having these basic supplies on hand can help you reduce the risk of further injury until the veterinarian can arrive.
A restrained horse
Trees, stalls, fence lines, other horses, and bugs can all cause minor wounds on horses that can effectively be treated on your own.
© 2016 New window.
When assembling a first aid kit it’s important to consider all the places you might need to act. That could be at the barn, on a trail ride, or hauling to a show. While this is a basic recommendation, your equestrian lifestyle will determine specialty items to ensure you’re prepared for a variety of scenarios.
Building your first aid kit
Let’s start with the most common needs. Trees, stalls, fence lines, other horses, and bugs can all cause minor wounds that can effectively be treated on your own.
First aid basics
To clean and dress a small wound you’ll need:
- Antimicrobial wash
- Topical antimicrobial ointment or spray
- Towels, cotton, and non-stick gauze to clean and dress an injury
- Self-adhesive wraps to secure dressings in place
Essential first aid supplies
The basics are a good place to start, but veterinarians recommend building a first aid kit with a few more essentials. These additional supplies can be kept in a watertight box and can easily be transported between the barn, trailer and show.
- Roll cotton
- Gauze
- Towels or rags
- Adhesive tape
- Non-adherent wound dressings
- Self-adhesive wraps and standing wraps
- Scissors
- Duct Tape
- Antimicrobial wash and topical
- Eye wash
- Exam gloves
- Hoof pick
- Epsom salts
- Poultice
- Thermometer
Preparing for the trail
While it’s impossible to take a fully stocked first aid kit along on a trail ride, it is best practice to carry a few key supplies supplies, especially for longer rides. Dense brush and obstacles can easily cause cuts on the legs. There’s a chance brush or downed fences could tangle legs or that a horse will throw a shoe. These are a few items to pack in your saddle bags before hitting the trails.
- Hoof pick
- Multipurpose tool that includes a knife and pliers
Hoof boot - Antimicrobial topical treatment (like Silver Honey ® ointment)
- Self-adhesive bandages
Every equine first aid kit should contain well-organized essentials that can be grabbed immediately in an emergency and carried to wherever it is needed.
About Absorbine
Like many significant achievements, Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and through the tenacity of someone willing to question the status quo. In this case, it was a young woman in late 19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman who relied on the couple’s team of horses to make deliveries throughout the Northeast. A Better Way.
In those days, if a horse developed lameness, a common treatment was “blistering” the affected leg using one or more caustic agents. The blistered skin caused increased blood flow to the treated area, speeding recovery of the injury. Mary Ida knew there had to be a better, more humane way.
In addition to caring for their horses, Mary Ida was an avid gardener and herbologist. Through her knowledge of healing herbs, she formulated a special blend of herbs and essential oils into a tincture designed to increase blood flow and speed healing—without painful burning or blistering.
Press release by Absorbine