Farm Jenny exhibited at Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH last month. It was an amazing event! We had a great time talking with customers, learning from experts and of course shopping. Shh, don’t tell Mr. Farm Jenny how much shopping we do there!
Many people at the event were interested in knowing more about what we had in our Emergency First Aid Kit as a prize giveaway. I’m sharing the list of everything that I have in my first aid kit at home, and that is very close to what was in the kit that we gave away to the lucky Corina T. of OH.
I’ve had a first aid kit like this one since I was a young child showing my pony in 4-H. A good first aid kit is an important investment. If you shop locally at discount stores and pharmacies, you can gather most of the items you’ll need at reasonable prices.
My First Aid Kit Includes:
- First Aid Book (Storey’s Barn Guide to Horse Health Care)
- Plastic tote box – waterproof and airtight
- Stethoscope
- Digital Thermometer
- Lubricant for thermometer
- Bandage Scissors
- Hoof pick
- Flashlight
- Cotton Roll Sheeting for bandaging
- Vet Wrap Flexible Bandages
- Large Non-Stick Surgical Dressing Pads
- Sanitary pads/diapers
- Gauze bandage roll
- Vinyl exam gloves
- 60cc Dose Syringes with Catheter Tips for Oral Meds
- Instant Cold Compress
- Saline Solution
- Small First Aid Kit for humans
- Duct Tape
- Antiseptic skin cleanser such as Hibiclens, Novalsan or Betadine
- Epsom Salt
- First Aid Ointment
- Tweezers or tick remover tool
- Meds recommended by your vet: anti-inflammatory, sedative and so on.
- Electrolytes
- Wire cutters
- Bucket for soaking hooves
- Chain for use with lead ropes and/or twitch
- Emergency Numbers: Veterinarian, Farrier, friend who can trailer your horse if you don’t have one, and a horsey neighbor in case you need an extra set of hands or moral support while you wait for the vet to arrive.
Keep the kit as close to your horses as possible but not exposed to very high or freezing temperatures. Our kit stays in the feed room most of the year, and I take it into the house near our barn during the winter months. We always travel with it. Or, you could make two kits one for the barn and one for the trailer if you travel frequently.
Notice that I don’t mention halters and lead ropes on my list. These items are also very important in first aid situations, but I strongly believe that you should keep a halter and lead rope on each horse’s stall door or gate to their field if they’re not wearing halters. I’ve been privileged to ride at barns that had very specific instructions for how halters and lead ropes must be hung on the stall doors so that anyone can figure them out even in the dark. I suggest that you figure out a method of hanging them that makes sense for you and be consistent.
This kit is meant for emergency first aid use only. Always consult with your veterinarian for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. Some minor scrapes you may be able to handle on your own thanks to this kit. In more serious situations, you’ll have the right supplies on hand for first aid treatment while you wait for your vet to call back or arrive.
What is in your first aid kit?
