Tomorrow after she gets out of school I am picking up the Young Rider to go tack store shopping. She is now free leasing (I must do a post on the different types of lease at some point) a mare who we will call Mouse on this blog. This is the Young Rider’s very first horse so she a lot of stuff to get. Mouse is moving to my trainer’s barn (and the big. beautiful indoor) Dec. 1st. She has to buy everything. While making her lists of the things she needs to buy (like splint boots, blankets. etc) I started writing up a first aid kit and I thought I should post it on my blog. This is the minimum of what I think all horse owners should have in their first aid kits. What do you all think? I know personally I have more then this, but it seems like a good starting off point. Am I missing anything major? Let me know! I want the Young Rider to be as prepared as possible
First Aid Kit:
Roll Gauze (2 rolls)
Gauze Pads
Vet Wrap (3 rolls)
Stethoscope
Thermometer
Vaseline
Betadine surgical scrub
Betadine solution
Sharp scissors
Epsom salt
Small thing of poultice
News paper
Stable wraps
Pillow wraps
Saline solution
BooBoo Cream (like a furzone or something)
Baby oil
Electrolytes
Pepto bismal
Now I don’t have any prescription medications down here in stock because as well all know at some point you will have to call the vet and buy them anyway. Especially with a first horse you are not going to be diagnosing things yourself and then treating them. So that is my list of stuff you should buy for a first aid kit if you are getting a horse. Any input on this is great!
Aww, tell the Young Rider I said congrats!
I have to take a look at my first aid kit… I actually have three small ones, two that live in my trailer and one that lives in my tack trunk. One in the trailer is a pre-stocked human first aid kit, it has basic things like ointments,aspirin, band-aids, and gauze, plus smelling salts, a space blanket, tweezers, and sealed packets of purified water. Those kits can be expensive but sometimes it pays to invest in one, even if it’s just a small one for humans. (I think mine was about $30.)
Of course no kit is complete without duct tape! I also keep a flashlight, and extra batteries, on hand, because even if your barn is well-lit you might have to look at something in an awkward spot. It sounds weird but diapers (for small babies, I think size 1-3?) and feminine pads are good to have in the kits, too. Diapers are great for wrapping feet, and sometimes pads are better and handier than gauze. Plus they’re good to keep around for the more obvious reasons, haha.
I keep a stud chain nearby at all times, and one of these days I’m going to add a twitch to my kit, too. I hate to use them but in times of crisis sometimes you have to do what you have to do to restrain the horse so you can treat them safety.
Finally I have a horsey “what to do in emergencies” book, because even if you KNOW what to do, sometimes panic sets in and your mind goes blank. That and a sheet of emergency contact numbers because you never know.
I know there’s more in there, but I think that’s most of the basics. ;D
I always have duct tape and baby diapers for hoof abcesses.
I also keep epson salt around for the same purpose.
I use Milk of Magnesia instead of the pepto. It seems to work much faster and they like the taste better.
If you have a horse that does not take meds well, keep some of the snack size containers of apple sauce in the fridge.
Also be sure you have a large dosing syringe. You can put the meds and the apple sauce in it and dose it like wormer. It works great!
I am excited for the young rider. here are so many valuable things you learn from having your own horse.
yay, tack store shopping! sounds like fun
great list – in addition to the stuff already mentioned, the three things i can’t live without are:
*animalintex (the stuff is amazing!!! i use it for everything from abscesses and scratches to major wounds – it can even prevent proud flesh!!)
*cortisone ointment
*triple antibiotic ointment – good for most cuts and eye infections
have fun!
I think everyone has about covered it. I’ve got to agree with jme, animalintex is the best stuff to have around for everything. Congratulations to the young rider and mouse, how exciting for her and it’s so nice of you to help her. Have fun shopping!
Plastic produce bags from the grocery store – my vet taught me a trick that you can poutlice a hoof and then wrap it in the plastic bag – no mess!
Whoops, I guess I’m “anonymous” — I forgot this computer doesn’t have all my old passwords and things!