What’s up guys?
Today, I’m showing you everything that’s in my equine first aid kit! When I first started out, I just had a few small items in a tiny box, but that has grown to a three drawer unit + overflow into a large bucket. Additionally, I have items stashed in my tack box too!
Anybody who has been around horses for more than a minute knows that they can get hurt! Some are more creative than others, and it seems like some horses could get injured in a padded cell! As much as we would like to wrap our horses in bubble wrap, that’s not possible. The best we can do is make sure their environments are safe, tell them to make good choices and hope for the best!
What Every Horse First Aid Kit Needs
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to go out and spend a couple hundred dollars on supplies. Get some essential items, and many can be found on a budget! If you’re truly in a bind, ask a friend or even a stranger. Most people are more than happy to help a horse and horse person in need! I’ve helped people at shows and trail rides. If your horse is hurt and you don’t have what you need, ask somebody for help. It’s not a big deal.
Everything in my Equine First Aid Kit
- Vetwrap (Glittery Powerflex brand)
- Polos
- Maxi pads
- Baby Diapers
- Mini wound-care kit
- Athletic tape
- Duct Tape
- Dressings
- Gauze
- Alcohol wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Equiderm ointment
- Animalintex poultice pads for hooves
- Wonder Dust
- Banamine
- Bute
- Acepromazine
- Eye ointment
- Stethoscope
- Thermometer
- Ulcerguard
- Clear Eyes
- Tube and powdered electrolytes
- Tubes, syringes, applicators, needles
- Weight/height measuring tape
- Natural Release- Muscle Wash
- VetSet Cocoa Butter balm
- Hoof pick
- Tomorrow Dry Cow ointment
- Molasses
- Rubber gloves
- DMSO
- A&D Ointment
- Bandaids
- Hand sanitizer
- Foot powder
- Body Glide
- Bug spray
- Sunblock
- Toilet paper
- Blister care stuff
- Wet wipes
- Squeezy Buns
- Sore No-More Poultice
- Swat
- Betadine
- Corona ointment
- Liquid Liniment
- Gel Liniment
- Fung-A-Way
- Dandruff shampoo
- DESITIN DIAPER RASH CREAM
Cheap Equine First Aid Kit Hacks
Horse products can be SO expensive, but some of my favorite equine first aid kit items are super cheap! Instead of buying expensive sterile gauze pads, you can buy maxi pads! These were DESIGNED to handle bleeding, so they’re perfect for dressing wounds. They’re individually wrapped and really easy to stick into your first aid kit. Another good hack many experienced horse folks are familiar with is the use of baby diapers for hoof issues, especially abscesses. Also, don’t buy expensive FANCY medicated horse shampoo if your horse has rain rot, buy generic dandruff shampoo! It’s cheap, and it works!
Number One Essential Equine First Aid Kit Item
My NUMBER ONE, most essential, can’t-live-without-it equine first aid kit item is……………………………….. DESITIN Diaper Rash Cream! Buy the generic version, but make sure it’s “extra strength” which is usually in the purple package. This can be used for SO many different issues, and it’s gentle enough for a baby’s bottom! For those of you that have struggled with thrush, you know how harsh and damaging some of those products can be! I’ve tried them all, and since using Desitin diaper rash cream, I haven’t had a serious bout of thrush! (It’s been 3-4 years!)
Clean out the hoof and squirt a ribbon into the central sulcus. If you are currently fighting thrush, do this DAILY until there is an improvement! Desitin is antifungal and it creates a moisture barrier to help dry the area out! I do this about once a month now, JUST for maintenance. If you’re in a wet environment, you might want to do it once a week!
Desitin can also be used on a variety of other issues. It’s great for galls or even for preventing friction, if you’re concerned about a possible gall. Obviously, it’s good for any kind of fungus, as it dries. It’s a LIFESAVER for scratches! My favorite thing about Desitin is that it SOOTHES on contact. Scratches are extremely painful, and the products we’re told to put on look like they hurt too! Some of them are caustic! Desitin will IMMEDIATELY make the ouchie spot feel better and soothed. I wish more people know about this CHEAP and EFFECTIVE product!
Okay, enough about my love affair with Desitin diaper rash cream….
Know Your Horse’s Vitals and How to Check Them
It’s really important for you to have a stethoscope and a thermometer (preferably a horse thermometer with a string a clip, ESPECIALLY if you are new to horses or if this is your first horse). Ask your vet to show you how to take vitals or have a savvy friend show you. It’s a good idea to know your horse’s baseline vitals and be able to take them in the event of an emergency, or if you horse just doesn’t seem right. A horse’s vitals can give you and your vet a lot of information about what may be going on with your horse.
+++++Prescription MEDS+++++
Call Your Vet First
If you have to use prescription medications, CALL YOUR VET FIRST. I have seen so many people immediately give a colicky horse banamine without calling the vet. This is sometimes okay, but it can also mask pain and lead you to think the horse is okay, when it’s actually deteriorating! Don’t risk it. Just immediately call your vet. Open the line of communication with your horse’s care team, and don’t endanger your horse by giving a prescription medication without calling your vet first.
DMSO CAUTION
If you use DMSO, be very careful not to get any of it on you! It’s really good for reducing swelling, but it can easily get into your skin. It will take anything that’s on your skin (fly spray, other medications, chemicals, etc) into your body. Also, be aware of what is on your horse’s skin prior to using it. This substance can cross the blood-brain barrier, so children and pregnant women should definitely not be handling it AT ALL.
My Equine First Aid Kit
Thanks for reading about everything I have in my Equine First Aid Kit! Check back for more horse product reviews and tips coming up for the spring riding season!
Happy Trails!