First Aid for Your Horse

First Aid for Your Horse

If one of your horses suffers a severe cut in the field where they are grazing, you will need to stop the bleeding as soon as possible, while making a call to your nearest vet. Be aware of the steps you will need to take in order to provide first aid to your horse as soon as possible. It is of the utmost importance stabilize the horse prior to the arrival of the vet.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a first aid kit available for the horse in advance. The first aid kit should have all the important constituents necessary for emergencies and small cuts. Ensure that you have first aid readily available, that you have all the important tools you need as well as how to use them in an emergency.

First Aid for Your Horse Continues:

A commercially available first aid kit for horses will cost between $39 and $80. The kit should have a thermometer so that you can check the temperature of the horse. All horses should have a standard temperature of 99 to 115 degrees. The first aid kit should also come with a stethoscope so that you can monitor the heart rate of the horse. You can listen clearly to the heartbeat just under the elbow on the left side of the horse.

All first aid kits should have a flashlight, in case you have an emergency in the dark. Also have electrolytes handy in case the horse becomes dehydrated. Warming up water and adding a small teaspoon of electrolytes can encourage water consumption by your horse. The first aid kit should also have neosporin, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using the hydrogen peroxide on open wounds as it will destroy benign tissue.

Make sure you have a pair wire cutters handy in the event the horse gets stuck in a gate or wire. You will need to use a twitch which can calm your horse and keep him controlled in situations where it will be in great pain. You will have to make sure you have a knife cutting bandages and other materials.

Use the iodine solution to clean out any thick wounds and keep in mind that any wounds which will be treated by a veterinarian within 1 hour of the injury should not have medications applied, and should only be flushed with iodine or clean water to prevent them from drying. Follow these first aid tips to ensure the health and safety of your horse.

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