Equine first aid is the immediate care given to a horse when they have a serious or minor illness/injury. First aid ranges from action owners can take to care provided by a veterinary surgeon. First aid should not be provided by yourself if your life/health is at risk.
Often the best first aid is calling the vet, arranging a visit and preparing for their arrival. Important things for owners to remember when dealing with a horse that requires first aid is to stay calm. These situations are often stressful for both horse and owner but it is pertinent to keep yourself and your horse as calm as possible.
Over the next month we will discuss hints and tips on dealing with a variety of first aid scenarios. If you suspect your horse may need first aid or have any other questions please do not hesitate to get in touch and speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable vets!
Having a complete first aid kit at your stables and in your horse’s transport is essential. This can allow you to manage minor scrapes yourself, keep a wound clean before the vet arrives or whilst travelling your horse to the vets (if deemed acceptable by a veterinary surgeon).
Essentials to have in your equine first aid kit:
Cleaning materials
Bandaging materials
Miscellaneous
Most of these items are available to purchase from us, so please get in contact if you need to re-stock any of your first aid kit items!
Wounds are a very common first aid scenario that need to be carefully considered. If you are ever unsure about a wound your horse has obtained it’s a good idea to contact your vet!
The following important considerations apply when assessing a horse’s wound:
Size: large deep wounds must be assessed by a vet. These types of wounds often require stitching whilst they are fresh. To give your horse’s wound the best chance of healing it must be stitched as soon as possible.
Location: wounds near or on a joint/ tendon sheath need prompt evaluation by a veterinary surgeon! Bacteria can easily enter the joint via a wound which can be catastrophic and require surgery.
Lameness: If your horse is lame as a result of a wound it must be seen by a vet, even if the wound itself looks harmless. Lameness can often indicate more serious situations including infection or fractures!
Bleeding: If the wound is bleeding profusely call your vet! If your horse has uncontrollable bleeding from a wound, keep the horse calm and apply gentle pressure using a clean object. Pressure bandages can be applied whilst waiting for the vet but only if you’re competent to do so.
You can find more information on common wounds in our guide to equine wound management.
Bandaging is a crucial part of first aid. It helps keep the wound dry and clean whilst it heals. Pressure bandages can be useful to control bleeding of a wound and prevent contamination whilst waiting for a vet to arrive.
Often, once the vet has applied the first few rounds of bandage changes, they will ask you if you’re happy to do subsequent bandage changes. So, it’s very useful to know how to properly apply an appropriate bandage!
Step 1: Gather together your bandage materials and remove the packing – non-stick dressing (never apply a poultice to your horse’s skin), soffban, cotton wool, knitfirm, vetwrap, tensoplast (if required).
Step 2: Apply the dressing, with the shiny side towards the wound. Try to apply the dressing without touching the surface that will be in contact with the wound.
Step 3: Apply an even layer of soffban to keep the dressing in place.
Step 4: Apply a layer of cotton wool evenly to provide extra padding.
Step 5: Apply an even layer of knitfirm with constant tension on top of the cotton wool, ensuring it is not too tight. It is important this layer is not applied too tight as it can cause bandage sores. You should be able to fit two fingers underneath the top of the bandage.
Step 6: Apply an even layer of vetwrap on top of the knitfirm layer keeping an even tension, making sure that it doesn’t come into contact with the horse's skin/hair. It is important this layer is not applied too tight for the same reasons as above.
Eyes: As summer approaches many horses suffer with increased discharge from their eyes due to flies, and this is best prevented by applying a fly mask. However, if your horse is unable to open its eye fully, the eye looks red or the discharge is not clear-white then quickly get in contact with your vet. Horse’s eyes can deteriorate very quickly, so prompt assessment and treatment from your vet is essential.
Choke: Choke is the colloquial term used for an obstruction of the oesophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). If your horse chokes it might appear very dramatic but is usually quickly and easily resolved. If your horse chokes then do not panic. Often choke resolves quickly and spontaneously. If your horse has been choking for more than 30 minutes then contact your vet. Make sure to remove all food from where your horse is to prevent them from eating and making the obstruction worse.
Colic: Colic is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain and discomfort in horses. Common symptoms of colic include flank watching, pawing at the ground, rolling, teeth grinding, yawning. There are many different types and causes of colic which range in severity, and if you suspect your horse is colicing then always call your vet. Early intervention is always best! Whilst waiting for the vet to arrive, remove all food sources from your horse. If safe to do so, gently walk your horse around and do not administer any medicines unless your vet has instructed to do so.
Our vets are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and no matter what time of day or night your horse needs us, you will always be able to see an Avonvale equine vet. If you suspect your horse has a problem, no matter how big or small, we are always happy to help and offer advice. Our clients include leisure and companion horses, as well as performance and competition horses and ponies, and our equine vets are experienced, highly qualified and fully equipped to deal with a range of routine requirements and emergencies. Register your horse, pony, donkey or mule with us today.
