Equine First Aid Kit: Well prepared for care and first aid

Equine First Aid Kit: everything to hand at the yard

A small scrape, an irritated heel or a warm leg after training: with a well stocked equine first aid kit you can react calmly and do the right thing until the vet arrives. Here you will find products for eye and skin care, cooling boots and gel, cooling clay, bandaging material, wound care and disinfection, plus practical accessories such as thermometers and scissors.

What belongs in the basic kit

The essentials are a thermometer, bandaging material for at least one complete leg dressing, bandage scissors, a wound cleanser and a wound spray. Add cooling boots or cold packs, cooling clay for leg care and soothing ointments for the skin and heels. Build on this kit to suit your horse's individual needs and in consultation with your vet, who knows your horse's history best.

Order and regular checks

Keep everything in a clean box with a lid in a fixed place that everyone at the yard knows. Check use-by dates regularly and replace anything you use straight away. Write your vet's phone number somewhere clearly visible. The products in your first aid kit are for care and first aid. For deep wounds, signs of colic, eye problems or lameness, always call the vet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important item in an equine first aid kit?
A thermometer and bandaging material are essential, because they let you react fastest. Add wound cleanser, scissors and cold packs. And of course the number of your vet and an emergency practice.

How can I tell if my horse is ill?
Look out for loss of appetite, dullness, lying down frequently, pawing, a raised temperature or changes in droppings. If something seems unusual, take your horse's temperature and, if in doubt, call the vet.

How often should I check my first aid kit?
A look every few months is usually enough, for example when the seasons change. Check use-by dates, that everything is there and that the thermometer and batteries work. After every use, restock straight away.