If you're faced with equine emergency, scrambling to find supplies can use up precious time and add to your stress. Take time now to restock your first-aid kit, checking to see if often-used items need to be replaced, or seldom-used items have expired (unless stated otherwise, perishable items should be replaced every three years). Then use this chart to gather some time-saving and helpful tools.
| Product | Use | Comments |
| Instant-read cook's thermometer Available at kitchen shops and grocery stores for about $10 |
For adjusting temperature of medicated solutions such as eye washes and drinking water. | Registers in about 20 seconds |
| Stethoscope* Available from medical supply stores, tack stores, and veterinary supply companies for about $15 to $50 |
For accurately taking heart and respiratory rate counts, and to listen to gut sounds. | Choose "Littman" type, with about a 20-inch center tube. |
| Rectal thermometer* Available at grocery stores, pharmacies, and veterinary supply companies for under $10. |
For taking rectal temperature. | Choose an electronic type with a memory and a beeper, have a spare. |
| Chemical cold pack* Available at pharmacies, and medical or veterinary supply companies for about $15. |
For chilling wounds when ice isn't available. | Follow directions. Can cause frostbite if direct skin contact is prolonged. |
| Electric clippers, #40 blade Available from tack/feed stores and veterinary supply companies for about $100 and up (clippers) and about $20 for a #40 blade. |
For clipping hair around wounds and skin conditions. | Clean blade after each use. Have professionally sharpened after every six uses. |
| Plastic-bristled pot-scrubber brush Available at grocery and variety stores for about $3. |
For cleaning hoof before soaking, poulticing, or bandaging; for applying disinfectant to infected hoof conditions. | |
| Latex or rubber examination gloves* Available at pharmacies and medical or veterinary supply companies for about $10 for a box of 100 gloves. |
For safe handling of infected body fluids; for use when applying medications and/or DMSO. | Choose rubber if you're allergic to latex. |
| *Include this item in a "quick-grab" emergency kit for fast access. | ||
| Product | Use | Comments |
| Hoof pick* Available at tack/feed stores for about $5. |
For routine foot care and cleaning. | |
| Hoof knife Available from tack/feed stores and veterinary supply catalogs for about $5. |
For investigating possible foot problems. | If you're left-handed, get a hoof knife made for southpaws. |
| Shoe pullers* Available from tack/feed stores for about $50, or farrier supply companies. |
For cutting clenches and pulling a loose or improperly seated shoe. | |
| Hoof boots* Availab le from tack/feed and veterinary supply stores for about $35 each. |
For hoof protection or medication. | Buy two if different size is required for fore vs. hind hoof. |
| Combination pocketknife/took kit* Available at outdoor supply stores or hardware stores for about $35 to $100. |
For cutting rope/wire; pulling nails; impromptu repairs. | Choose a knife that includes a straight knife, serrated blade, leather punch/awl, pliers, and wire cutters. |
| Trigger-type spray bottle Available at variety, grocery, and hardware stores for under $5. |
For pressurized irrigation of wounds with saline solution. | Alternative: 30cc to 60 cc syringe with blunted 18-guage needle. |
| Bandaging materials* Available at pharmacies, grocery stores, veterinary supply companies, and tack/feed stores, ranging from $2 for individual rolls to under $10 for a box, depending on specific bandages. |
Various; including holding dressing on wounds or applying compression. | Stock your kit with a bandage box that includes: (4) 1-lb rolls fluffy cotton; (6) thick sanitary napkins; (6) disposable diapers; (1) package 4x4 gauze sponges; (12) 4-inch rolls Vetrap; (12) 4-inch rolls Elastikon; (6) 4-inch rolls of Expandover; (1) roll 2-inch duct tape; 1 pair bandage scissors. |
| *Include this item in a "quick-grab" emergency kit for fast access. | ||
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This chart appeared in the February 2008 issue of Horse & Rider and is excerpted from the book Hands-On Horse Care. For great info on tried-and-true remedies for ailments your horse is bound to face soon or later, see "Vets' Best Fixes for 5 Common Maladies" in our March 2010 issue. To order a copy of either of these issues or other back issues, call 877-717-8928.
[...] Ever need something to doctor your horse up right away and couldn’t find anything? Well Dr. Karen Hayes has the answer you need! check out what she had to say about a First Aid Kit! http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/first_aid/first_aid_tools_chart_020810 [...]