FALCON CREEK FARM NEWSLETTER
(April/May/Jun
2004)
FIRST
AID
What’s in your horses First Aid kit? Do you have a first aid kit? If so, where is it located? First aid kits are one of the most valuable things
you can have in your barn, yet many people never take the time to put one
together. They are very important part
of your barn and should be available at a moment’s notice. When an injury occurs, sometimes things get
crazy and people panic. The more
organized you are with first aid supplies; the easier it will be to treat your
horse.
A few good places to put first aid kits
are in your trailer, in your barn and in your arena (if you have an indoor)
where they are easy to get to. You
should always keep one in your trailer if you travel anywhere with your
horse. Whether you go trail riding or to
shows, or just over to a friend’s house, you never know when you may need to
apply first aid to your horse. Many
trailering accidents can occur on the road, while unloading and while being
tied up. I was once witness to a horse
that was tied to a trailer at a local show, and got his foot caught on a piece
of the metal fender. He sliced the back
of his pastern and cut an artery. He
began bleeding quite profusely and everyone scurried around frantically to get
some first aid equipment. As it turned
out, the only person at the show who had any first aid supplies was an off-duty
police officer that just happened to be there (lucky for the horse!). The horse was saved from bleeding to death
while the vet was called. Since that
day, I have never gone anywhere in my trailer without first aid supplies. I have used them over the years for minor
injuries and am happy to report that I have never
needed them for an emergency.
The main reason for having an assembled
kit of first aid supplies is due to timing and location. If something happens to your horse, you need
medical attention and you need it right away.
You don’t want to have to run up to the house, or even to the store to
get supplies, or use substitute materials that are not sterile or just not the
right thing (i.e. using duct tape instead of sports tape for a gauze bandage.)
So, the next question is………….what do you put into a first aid kit? I use a clear plastic storage container (with
a lid) to keep my supplies in . I like it to be see-through so I can find
things quickly at a glance before I even open it up. The lid helps keep dirt and debris out of
it. Here is a list of some things that I
use in my kit:
Stethoscope
Scissors
Rectal
Thermometer (with string attached)
Large and
small sterile gauze pads
Feminine
sanitary napkins (absorbent and great for wrapping large cuts on legs)
Antibiotic
ointment
Antibiotic
spray (like Furall)
Sterile saline
solution
Sterile saline
eyewash
Rolls of
gauze, various sizes
Flashlight
(check batteries frequently)
Vet wrap or
Co-Flex self-adhesive bandages (can never have too many of those)
Thick cotton gauze
roll or sheet
Sports tape,
for securing gauze and cotton rolls
Betadine scrub
Towels
Paper towels
Sterile items (such as gauze pads and
eyewash, should be replaced from time to time if not used.
I hope this will encourage you to put
together your own first aid kit, if you don’t already have one. I hope you never need it but, if you do have
a medical emergency, you will be much more prepared to treat your horse
immediately and effectively.
Happy Riding!!!
Comments and feedback are always welcome!
Leslie @
Falcon Creek Farm
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