Horse first aid kit

A horse first aid kit is a vital piece of equipment for any horse lover. It needn't be extravagant or packed full of medication – leave that up to the vet. But ensuring that your first aid kit contains a few basic items of kit will mean you can treat the most common types of ailment and handle an injury until the vet arrives to give expert diagnosis and care. Read on for some pointers about what's best to keep in your horse first aid kit.

First of all, be sure to keep all the items detailed below in a robust and clean box. This will keep them protected and in good working order so they're effective when you most need them to be.

A thermometer (mercury or digital) is an essential item in an equine first aid kit. A high temperature is an indication of a health issue that needs veterinary treatment, so the quicker and more effectively you can diagnose it the better.

A sharp pair of scissors or some bolt cutters constitutes an extremely important part of your horse first aid kit. Should your horse become entangled it could very easily become anxious and stressed; to avoid this and any harm it might cause itself trying to get free, ensure you have in your first aid kit something to cut wire with.

In case of skin infection, tears and cuts, keep antiseptic wound cleaners in your equine first aid kit (for example: Novalsan, Betadine or Hibitane scrubs). Also important are clean leg wraps and absorbent padding to use under leg wraps (such as gamgee cloth or gauze diapers). Self-sticking bandages (e.g. Vet wrap, Co-Flex) are also good idea and are very versatile.

Zinc oxide cream is also a good idea – it can soothe sunburn and minor cuts and heal grease heel and can be found in the baby care section of your pharmacy. Antiseptic creams/ointments and Epsom salts are highly recommended for combating infection and helping cuts and scratches to heal more quickly and are inexpensive to purchase.

Finally, keep your vet's phone number close to hand and a notebook to jot down symptoms that you might otherwise forget amidst worrying your horse. Knowing you have a fully-stocked equine first aid kit will not only give you peace of mind but also the means to treat your horse in an emergency.

Part of your first aid kit should be horse insurance

The best way to provide long term protection for your horse is to insure you can always provide the best medical care possible. By taking out horse insurance with adequate vets fees cover you can always keep your horse in a the best shape.