Horse first aid kit

[DaisyDoo72]

Hey I'm soon to be getting my first horse just wondering what are the essential things to get for a first aid kit. Shall I get a ready made kit or is it best to get it individually? Do local tack shops sell them or is it cheaper to go to town and get things?
Thanks!

 

[supsup]

I've stocked up mostly at boots, plus some horse-specific items bought online. I like to have on hand:

Thermometer (and card with normal temp, breathing, pulse values for horses, because otherwise I won't remember!)
cotton wool
vet wrap
plain table salt and a clean bowl (to make saline)
Sealed small tubes of sterile saline
Hydrogel
Manuka Honey (medical grade, in a tube, was part of a wound care seminar pack)
iodine-based salve
duct tape
scissors
plasters (for the human!)

These are the things I've actually used on occasion. I also have in my pack (but so far never used
Gamgee
vetalintex poultice
cold pack (one that is activated by breaking a little thing inside it)
various non-stick/absorbent would dressings
sterile swabs
Hibiscrub

Fortunately, I've never had any major wounds that I had to take care of, so the things that get used most are for small scrapes etc. It's quite helpful to check out the list of items included in ready-made first aid kits to get ideas, then buy what you think you'll need separately. If you anticipate having to deal with abscesses, a pack of cheap nappies can also be a good idea.

 

[Birker2020]

A couple of things I would say would be to make sure you have some instant ice packs in your first aid kit, or an ice boot and ice cups in a freezer at the yard in case of any strains. If you put ice on such an injury to start with, it can really make a difference to the outcome.

Also a decent equine first aid book (it need not be expensive) but something that you are able to look at if you are worried about the respiration, pulse and temperature of your horse or you are unsure of how to dress a wound in the first instance. Jot your vets/farrier and physio's numbers in the back so you always have them to hand.

Sudocreme is brilliant for small cuts and wounds.

I carry my first aid kit in the car so if I am ever away from the yard I have it with the horse. Having suffered from a horrific injury on a fun ride, I am also very particular about having a 'bum bag' containing a penknife, bandage and organisers phone numbers.

 

[DaisyDoo72]

Thankyou both! Ive been lucky and while I've been sharing horses have never even come across a cut so will definitely be getting a first aid book as I have no clue!
Is purple spray worth getting? I've heard of people using it for small cuts, or is saline solution or sudocrem fine

 

[Britestar]

One of the Vets I know advocates always having tampons in the kit and carry them when you ride. Perfect for emergency putting into wounds. Vets love it too as it has a nice string to remove it, and stops people putting all sorts of lotions an potions onto wounds that they then have to clean off before they can treat it.

 

[Birker2020]

One of the Vets I know advocates always having tampons in the kit and carry them when you ride. Perfect for emergency putting into wounds. Vets love it too as it has a nice string to remove it, and stops people putting all sorts of lotions an potions onto wounds that they then have to clean off before they can treat it.

Never heard of that before, thats a good tip.

Plus I would forget any thoughts about using wound powder. The best thing to use is Intrasite Gel http://www.smith-nephew.com/professional/products/advanced-wound-management/intrasite-gel/ or the equivalent.