Sometimes despite our best efforts our equine friends will hurt themselves. It’s usually after hours and in the dark, they give preference to rain and times we are wearing our good shoes. If you’re bank balance is looking stable they will find a fence to stick a leg through. Don’t forget the late night dash to the chemist where exorbitant prices are charged for human sized items that barely do the job we need!
A medical kit is something that we should all have. I know the one I have at home in the laundry for humans is complete rubbish, but the chances are that I’ll hurt myself at the horses and my medical kit there is spectacular through years of accumulation and learning. There’s nothing wrong with a nappy, bettadine and vet wrap on a human when needed!
I even have a smaller version in my float for when I’m out and about.
You could buy a medical kit from www.evfa.com.au or look into making one yourself with items bought online or on sale to save some precious $ when you need it most.
Remember nothing you can do will ever be as good as a vet who has had years of training, but there are some instances that you’ll be able to treat the minor injuries yourself. If in doubt CALL A VET.
Things I love in my medical kit
⭐️a head torch
⭐️scissors, or two pairs as someone usually pinches the first pair
⭐️hoof pick
⭐️nappies (soak up all sorts of bloody issues) and for abscesses
⭐️women’s pads (same as above)
⭐️big bottle of bettadine (poured into a decor squirty sauce bottle is handy)
⭐️peroxide from the supermarket in a squirty bottle (thrush)
⭐️salty water (for washing out wounds)
⭐️non stick dressing (jelonet or similar can be bought on eBay)
⭐️elastoplast (don’t buy too many as elastic and glue breaks down over time)
⭐️vet wrap
⭐️poultice (abscesses)
⭐️scalpels (if you’re confident debriding a wound) easy to buy on eBay
⭐️tuffrock clay for swelling
⭐️cetrigen purple spray for minor wounds
⭐️babes gold cream (my absolute favourite wound healing cream)
⭐️cotton wool gauze and cotton wool
⭐️disposable gloves
⭐️thermometer
⭐️disinfectant wipes for thermometer
⭐️Vaseline for thermometer
⭐️duct tape
⭐️towel
⭐️tweezers
⭐️sterile gauze pads (to wipe wounds)
⭐️clean bucket
⭐️instant ice packs
⭐️plastic bag for medical/bandage waste (it stinks to high heaven and dogs love to eat it)
For those who have already consulted with a vet you may wish to keep on hand
⭐️bute
⭐️sedatives
⭐️needles and syringes
And last but not least
🍷 wine and an emergency bag of lollies or chocolate; if it’s colic you’re in for a long night!
I hope that none of you have any emergencies anytime soon, but being prepared is the best option!