A well-equipped first aid kit is a valuable component in every horse owner’s tack box. Having essential medical supplies on hand will enable you to act promptly when your horse needs medical attention. It’s always frustrating when you discover a minor cut on your horse’s leg in the evening or on a holiday and you don’t have any supplies on hand. It can also be embarrassing when you’re at a show and you have to borrow supplies from one of your competitors. Or when you’re on the phone with the vet because your pony is colicky and they ask you what the temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate are and you haven’t a clue. And wouldn’t it be a helpless feeling to be way out on the trail and your horse had a serious fall, was bleeding badly, and you didn’t have any way to control the bleeding? In this article we will discuss some of the basic items of a first aid kit that will make it possible for you to collect vital information on your horse’s condition, treat common minor aliments, and help you cope with emergency situations until veterinary assistance arrives.
Whenever a medical problem is encountered, the first step is to collect information, what the Red Cross calls “checking in,” to determine if there is a problem and how serious it is. “Check in” on a horse’s condition is always begun by careful observation, preferably at a distance. Horses are creatures of habit and if you know them well, it is easier to recognize when there is a problem. After observing from a distance, the next step is to get a closer look, if it is safe to do so. An injured or sick horse can be a danger to themselves and to their handlers; make sure it is safe to approach the situation. Now we are ready to get out the first aid kit. Your kit should contain:
- thermometer (get one with a string and alligator clip on the end, so you can clip it to the tail)
- stethoscope
- pen light
- flashlight
- watch with second hand and stop watch
- Vaseline
With these items, you will be able to check the horse’s vital signs. Use some Vaseline on the thermometer, slide it into the rectum, and leave it there a couple of minutes. Normal temperature on the horse is 99.0°F to 101.5°F. The pulse rate can be determined by feeling the pulse under the jaw. If you have trouble finding the pulse, use your stethoscope and count the heart rate instead. Normal pulse rate is 30 to 42 beats per minute. Younger horses and ponies are faster. The respiratory rate can be determined by watching the excursions of the flank. With very fit horses, it may be difficult to see any movement of the rib cage or of the flank because they are breathing so effortlessly. In this case, you may find it easier to watch the movement of the nostrils to get the rate. Normal respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. With your pen light, look at the gums by carefully lifting up the upper lip. Normal color is pearly pink. Abnormal color can be pale, dark pink, red or bluish. The gums should be moist. Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is checked by pressing on the gums with a finger, releasing and counting how long it takes for the color to come back. Normal CRT is less than one second. Skin turgidity is checked by tenting the skin up near the base of the shoulder, releasing it and watching how fast it bounces back - it should bounce back very rapidly. Whatever the nature of the problem, whether it is illness, lameness, wound, colic or something you’re not sure of, the vital signs are important in determining how serious the horse’s condition is.
Wounds are very common in the horse. Clean cuts, jagged lacerations, puncture wounds and abrasions may need immediate attention from you until you can get help. First, control the bleeding. Excessive blood loss can lead to shock and death. A compression bandage should be applied evenly over the affected area. Avoid using blood stop powders because they can interfere with later treatment of the wound. Do not remove the compression bandage too soon or the hemorrhage will start up again. If excessive bleeding is not a problem, then attempt to clean the wound. Hosing the area with cold water works very well and also helps slow bleeding and reduce swelling. Finally, keep the wound protected from further damage and contamination with a suitable bandage. Here are some supplies that may help:
- clippers
- mild surgical soap (Betadine Scrub or Povidone Iodine Scrub)
- 70% alcohol
- antiseptic spray
- antiseptic ointment
- antiseptic solution (1% Betadine Solution or 1% Povidone Iodine Solution)
- Epsom salts
- calamine lotion
- caustic powder for proud flesh
- bandage scissors
- hemostat
- roll cotton
- gauze pads of various sizes
- bandage materials
A word of caution about bandaging horses - a lot of damage can be done by bandaging a horse improperly. The longer a bandage is going to be in place, the more important it is that it be applied properly and that it is monitored regularly.
Injuries resulting in sprains of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints are also common. Some useful supplies include:
- hydrotherapy devices (cold wraps, turbulator boots)
- poultices for recent injuries (but not over open wounds)
- liniments
- sweat bandages
A scaled-down version of this list of supplies is necessary for those of you heading for the trail. It is important the kit be kept clean, dry and accessible. Small plastic bottles with screw-on lids and containers like Tupperware & Rubbermaid can be helpful. A felt-tip pen and zip lock bags can help keep things organized. Some folks planning extensive trail rides days away from civilization should discuss their special needs with their veterinarian.
David Sauter, DVM
Kulshan Veterinary Hospital
Copyright © 2009 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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