First Aid Kit for Horses

When we set off from home with our horse, we’ve usually packed the car or lorry with everything we think we need: tack, grooming kit, rugs, sponge, water, hay nets and several outfits of clothes for ourselves. But have we remembered to pack the first aid kit? Or, even better, two first aid kits: one for us and one for our horses and ponies.

We asked our readers what they would put in a First Aid Kit for Horses and received a comprehensive list of suggestions. First and foremost, don’t forget the mobile phone! As if… we never go anywhere without our mobiles and they come in very useful if there’s an emergency at a show or out hacking. I heard recently how it’s a good idea to have your contacts list in your mobile clearly labelled so that someone else can call your nearest and dearest while you are being attended to. This means putting: ‘Husband – Bob’ (or whatever his name is), ‘Mother – Jane’ and ‘Dr Domuch’ for example. The only problem is, for those of you who are worried about identity theft, the thief who steals your mobile has an immediate wealth of information about you. Hmm… on second thoughts maybe not such a good idea to be too explicit.

What else is in the First Aid Kit? People suggested antiseptic cream and wipes, bandages, sterilised water, cotton wool, Dettol and ice packs. Don’t forget scissors or a pen knife and perhaps even baling twine. One useful suggestion was a disposal nappy. Apparently it makes a good emergency dressing and, think about it, has the adhesive straps all ready for sticking it on. I must admit I haven’t tried this myself but I’m tempted.

To see the full list of items suggested for the First Aid Kit for Horses, click here.