Im trying to get a first aid kit, so far I have epson salt, and this stuff that was given to me and its for open wounds. SO, what other things should I get like raps, and stuff.

This is what my barn kit includes:

*Vets Phone number

*Person with horse trailer phone number (If you don't own a trailer, I always tell people this because if you don't own a trailer you should always have one lined up so in an emergancy you are not hunting a trailer down)

*Stethascope
*Thermometer
*Triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin)

*Steriod cream, hydrocortizone or Preperation H (don't laugh works great to reduce proud flesh)

*Betadine/povidine scrub
*Betadine/povidine solution
*Alcohol
*Sterile Saline solution
*Bandage scissors
*4X4 gauze

*Ky jelly (this is for putting in open wounds so when you clip the hair around wound it doesnt stick to the wound)

*Clippers
*Epsom salt
*Diapers (cheap brand size for a 20lb baby, these are use for foot bandages)
*Duct tape (foot bandages)

*Polo wraps & Quilts (besides normal uses they work good for bandage material since you can wash them, saves on using some of the disposable stuff $$)

*4 inch brown gauze (couple rolls)
*Telfa pads (large ones, horses never do small wounds)

*Leg cottons (these are like dispossible quilts for when you wounds that are draining alot and you don't want to use your quilts)

*4 inch rolls of Elastikon (this is a great sticky tape that holds bandages in place)

*Hoof pick (I know sounds funny but this is one that is not used daily, since when you need one you can never find one)

*small squeeze bottle
*fine tooth comb
*Towels cloth and paper
*Pliers
*Wire cutters (cutting fence if needed)
*brand new fly mask
*Thuja ointment (can get from vet, its like swat but a 1000 times better)

**Bute tabs or paste (have to get from your vet, always call vet berfore giving)
**Banamine paste (have to get from your ve, always call vet before giving)
**BNP eye ointment (have to get from vet, always call vet before giving)

Also I like to get 3 plastic container with good sealing lids that will fit the 4x4 gauze squares in them. In one I put a handful of squares mixed with the betadine scrub (do this with clean hands or wear gloves, help keep things sterile). Then the second I put guaze in with alcohol. The third I keep dry guaze and next to it a sterile bottle of saline. THis way when one of the horses gets a wound I just grab my premade containers to clean the wounds. Scrub with the betadine and then rinse with either the water or alcohol depending on the wound. Also if you have to give injections you have alcohol swabs to wipe the injection site first.

I have used everything in my kit over the years and I have not listed everything just what I think the basic stuff a person should have.
My cabinet includes more drugs although I always call and check with the vet before adminitering any of them.

I also keep a list of what is the normal range for a horses vital signs are and then I have a list of what each of my horses normals are. Since every horse is a little different.

Temperature
Pulse
Respiration
Gut motility
Mucus membrans
Digital pulses

I also have a trailer kit and a trail kit (for trail rides)








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This might go without saying, but I would also add Human Need items, like bandaids and an ace bandage or too. A few instant ice packs might be good ideas as well (large and small).

And thanks P8NT for that great list. I have copied and saved it for future use.

Cheryl,

I guess you can put people stuff in there, but I tend to just use the horse stuff. Since it is all interchangable. But I guess a few band aids could be helpful.

Funny tid bit. My boys (4 & 6 years old) when they get hurt want me to use the horse stuff verses the stuff in the house, they think it doesn't hurt as much.

Hi i would use
Antibacterial soap. Many veterinarians recommend Betadine, Chlorhexidine scrub or Hibiclens to clean minor wounds. The soap should not be left in the wound, so have some saline around to flush the wound before wrapping.

Antibiotic ointment. After a wound is cleaned and dried with a sterile sponge or gauze, you should apply an antibiotic ointment (e.g. triple antibiotic, neosporin or bacitracin) to decrease the chance of infection.

Sterile gauze sponges and pads. Have a variety of sizes on hand for covering the minor cuts or wound.

Two to four disposable diapers or wrapped sanitary napkins. These items are effective as absorbent pressure pads when trying to stop bleeding.


Bandages. Include an Ace bandage, a 2½ - inch gauze bandage roll, as well as several equine leg bandages, which are available in most tack stores.


Adhesive tape, 1-inch and 2-inch rolls. These will keep pads and bandages in place.


Two to four quilted or padded wraps. The wraps should be placed under bandages for added absorption.

Household scissors and/or knife. These can be used for cutting clothes, straps or ropes that your horse may be tangled in during an emergency.

Tweezers. These can be used to remove splinters, thistles or other fragments that might be lodged in your horse's skin. Do not pick at wounds aggressively as this can deepen foreign bodies and elicit a dangerous reaction from the horse. The vet will remove foreign material, usually with the horse under sedation.


Ice bags or a chemical ice pack. These can be used to prevent or reduce swelling from blunt trauma (e.g. a knee that hit the fence), reduce bleeding or swelling at the edge of a fresh wound. Other applications of ice include shrinking hives, treating head injuries contracted while loading or swollen injection sites. In the case of heat prostration, one can actually douse the horse with ice water from a large bucket.


Rubbing alcohol. Use this to disinfect your thermometer after and before you use it.



Veterinary or human rectal thermometer. Keep this to take your horse's temperature and know whether or not he has a fever before you call your veterinarian. This bit of information will help steer your vet in the right direction before he or she visits your horse. Digital thermometers are less likely to create worry about glass breakage and are very accurate. They come with a nice plastic container.


Lubricant. Include a tube of K-Y Jelly or another water-based lubricating product to help grease the thermometer before insertion into the rectum.


Stethoscope. This will help you monitor your horse's heart and lungs before the vet arrives. You must have proper training on this device if it is to be useful. The heart rate can be taken on the facial artery located across the angle of the jaw. It helps to have a watch with a second hand.

Ahhhh that's just too darned cute! (I probably would have thought the same if I'd been around barns as a little kid too!)

Cheryl,

They see that when the horse gets hurt and I am working on it that it doesn't cry or make noise so it must not hurt. Don't have the heart to tell them that they don't cry like they do. Some days they make me laugh so hard.