An injury to your horse is the last thing you want to think of, however, unfortunately it is something that happens from time to time. While you should always call the Vet for horse accidents, having a supply of vet products on hand is helpful for you and for your vet.
It is also a good idea to have a portable vet box that you can take with you to shows for any incidents that may happen, this is especially important if you do Eventing.
Below is a list of items that make up a basic vet box. Of course, you can add a lot more to it but this list should at least give you some good basics for most injuries to tide you over until the vet arrives. It also means that you have supplies on hand for treating injuries that the Vet will want you to use.
Remember when it comes to horse injuries, if in doubt always call the Vet.
Inside Your Vet Box
- Scissors (make sure they are a good pair)
- 2 x Heavy weight crepe bandages 7.5cm x 2.3m (unstretched)
- 2 x large non stick wound dressing pads
- 2 x cohesive flexible banages (these are water repellant and also make good Cross Country bandages as they won’t hold the water)
- Electric Tape (keep several of these)
- Ice boots and ice pack
- Sea minerals cream
- 1 box of Disposable gloves
- Spray on horse antiseptic
- Antiseptic cleansing wash for washing the wound/s
- Roll of padded cotton wadding with non stick outer
- Large roll of cotton wool
- Manuka honey (this is good for packing on a wound before bandaging as it has antiseptic properties)
- Thermometer
- Alcohol wipes
- Saline solution
- Clean syringes without needles (good for getting paste or electrolytes down the horses throat)
- An alpha listed horse injury reference book (you will usually find one at your local Saddlery)
- Human first aid kit (this is for yourself in case you do an injury at the paddock or the show)
When you need to be giving the horse needle injections or pain relief these will be given to you by your vet at the time they are needed.
Some Tips
- To give your horse medicine orally, use apple sauce on bread to disguise it in. Your horse is bound to love the sandwich!
- If you are at a show and a friend uses something from your vet box ask them to replace the item for you rather than give you the money for it, this way you can keep your vet box supplied.
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