Equine First Aid Kit for Barn or Trailer

If you are around horses long enough, you will likely see urgent or emergency situations. Some of these are listed below. You should have a first aid kit to provide care until help can arrive or you can get to a hospital.

Some wounds may look terrible or even bleed a lot, but not all of these require immediate treatment. Full-thickness skin wounds in areas with good blood supply and not involving the areas listed below can be seen when it is more convenient for both owner and doctor. If suturing is necessary, better results will be seen if the area can be treated within a few hours. These types of wounds should be gently cleaned and rinsed and bandaged if possible. If you are uncertain whether the problem your horse has is a true emergency, call your veterinarian and describe the situation. This way, even if your horse does not need to be seen right away, the doctor will be aware of the situation and can adjust the schedule accordingly.

The following problems should be seen as soon as possible:
• Puncture wounds near a joint, tendon sheath, or the foot
• Lacerations that involve tendons, joints, or large vessels
• Wounds of the eye that directly affect the globe
• Lesions of the cornea accompanied by eye pain
• Severe lameness, severe reluctance to move
• Known fractures
• Dystocia, difficulty foaling
• Severe choke
• Moderate to severe colic or repeated bouts


Mild cases of choke may resolve with time and minimal treatment. Food and water should be removed, and the horse should be kept in a quiet place to see if the blockage will resolve on its own. If it does resolve, no food should be given for 12 hours. Begin refeeding with soft feeds and /or pasture after this point and monitor the horse closely.


Stethoscope (easiest and most reliable way to assess heart rate, also handy for listening for intestinal motility in colic situations)


Items you should have in any first aid kit include the following:


• Thermometer (mercury or digital—available at pharmacies and grocery stores)
• Antiseptic solutions such as Betadine or Chlorhexidine
• Antiseptic soaps such as Betadine or Chlorhexidine scrubs
• Sleeve of 4" x 4" gauze squares for cleaning wounds
• Spray bottle with dilute Betadine solution for cleaning wounds
• Antiseptic and/or antibacterial creams, such as Silvadene, Nolvasan, etc.
• Sterile wound dressing pads or box of pantyliners
• Roll gauze or stretchy foam wrap for applying dressing pad to wound
• 14" and 16" leg quilts (two of each) for wrapping fore and hind limbs
• Non-stretch track bandages or Vetrap for securing quilt to leg
• Small, clean bucket or dish pan and clean towels
• Epsom salts
• Pantyhose or knee-highs for foot wraps
• Duct tape
• Low rubber feed tub for soaking feet
• Bandage scissors
• Spare halter and lead
• Hammer and sturdy nail for hanging IV fluid bags
• Flashlight, work light, and extension cord
• Two 10-foot pieces of heavy rope (for assisting a cast horse, for example)
• Old broomsticks or PVC pipe for use as splints
• Keep important phone numbers handy - the vet, the barn owner, the barn help, transport people, and others who could help if needed.


Normal Equine Vital Signs
Temperature: 99.0° to 100.5° Fahrenheit
Heart Rate: 32 to 44 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute