Dr. Kari Lyon, V.M.D. and Dr. Lydia Hamilton, V.M.D.

In the case of a minor injury or an emergency, every horse owner should have the following items on hand.  It is very important to keep your first aid kit organized, clean, and dry.

To assess:
     Thermometer
     Stehoscope
     Penlight

To cleanse a wound:
     Gauze squares (1-2 packs)
     Tweezers or forceps
     Iodine-based wound wash, such as Betadine
     Saline solution

To dress and wrap a wound:
     Triple antibiotic ointment
     Icthammol ointment
     "Butterfly" bandages
     Nonstick wound pads
     Rolled cotton
     Padding (cotton sheets, quilts, etc.)
     Rolled gauze
     Self-adhesive veterinary wraps (such as Vetwrap)
     Shipping bandages

Miscellaneous:
     Cold wraps
     Blunt bandage scissors
     Bandage tape
     Tube of Banamine paste
     Tube of Bute paste
     Hoof boot
     Electrolytes (powder or paste)
     Oral syringes
     Clean towels

In addition to a first aid kit, owners should be sure to keep a record of their horse's resting vital signs as well as contact information for their regular veterinarian and farrier in close proximity to their horse's stall.  This information can be crucial during an emergency situation.

If you have any questions about what your first aid kit should include, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic and speak to one of our veterinarians.