Medicine Kit....What do you keep handy?

[Heidi]

Husband built me a barn and will be building the tack/feed room this summer. It will be 10'x12', solid oak floor, sheet rocked, insulated on all 6 sides (walls, ceiling, floor) and have a locking door with a window in the upper half for checking on Q if I have to stay out there overnight.

I have furazone, corona, bute pills, large empty syringes (no needles) and the usual grooming supplies. For bandaging I keep vet wrap, elastikon tape and 4" non-stick pads. I would like to get diapers, both cloth and disposable, and will probably swipe a roll of duct tape from the garage.

I would like to know what items everyone considers essential to their horse keeping:
The neccessities?
The basics?

We keep Banamine and most of the things you listed along with wonder dust to put on open wounds to stop the bleeding if anything were to happen and veternarians cream for small cuts and you can not forget the iodine!

[Pam M]

I keep all of that plus a stethoscope, thermometer, banamine, epinephrine, extra lead roap, alcohol pads, curved stitching needle with the thread attached (good for a quick pull-together), scissors, tweezers...that's all I can remember off the top of my head. My first aid "bucket" is pretty full!

[Heidi]

I don't think I'd be brave enough to try stitching on my own...or even with hubby's help! What do you use the epinephrine for?
Heidi

[CarolU]

Epinephrine is for anaphylaxis...if your horse has an alergic reaction to vaccinations it can save their life.

I also keep electrolyte paste, Ace, Wound Heal, Kopertox, bleach, steril towels, scissors, human bandaids, Handi-wipes, DEET, Sterile Eye wash, Eye ointment. I want to emphasize Wonder Dust. Great stuff.

[Abejita]

Betadine scrub, or clorahexadine liquid (clean wounds and the clorahexadine is great in the laundry for fungus on girths etc)
roll cotton
a small bucket designated for cleaning of wounds (warm water couple handfuls of the cotton,a splash of either betadine or chlorahex and you can clean wounds)
bottle each of ace and rompum with the syringes WITH needles
leg wraps/quits
dosing syringes (catheter tip 30 and 60 cc syringe)(unless your horse will eat meds outta his feed?)
Biozide gel ( I am not a big furazone fan except to help soften old scabs and rain rot)
dmso
ichthammol
bottle of SMZ tabs

[Carol Nelson]

All of the above things are good, but just a note on the injectables. If you don't know how to give them or where to give them, don't have them. These are things that can cause real problems if given by a novice.

[Heidi]

My syringes without the needles are for dosing meds. I didn't have a specific dosing syringe.
Heidi

[Pasogirlz]

Where's Privatetreaty. She has an awesome medicine kit. 8-)

[cowboy ed]

....and two pieces of half inch rubber hose, about a foot long. in case of snakebite.

[Pasogirlz]

Equine Emergency Rescue Tips
By: Liela Lindsey and Lori Ford published in Showtime Paso Fino Magazine.


Emergencies always occur when we least expect them. That is why it is best to be prepared for them ahead of time. Having the necessary knowledge for dealing with horses in emergency situations is key when every second counts, and the wrong move can bring disaster. Tomas Gimenez, a Dr. Med. Vet, of the Animal and Veterinary Science Department at Clemson University, holds clinics on “How to Effectively Perform Emergency Rescue of Equines”. He stresses that rescuers should use the simplest, safest, and lowest tech approach possible to prevent further injury to the horse.
During the clinic, you might be surprised to learn many uses of some regular household or barn items. Duct tape can be used for anything from bandages to repair. Plastic bags may be used to cover an injury to keep it dry and clean. In the case of a hoof injury like a stone bruise, a large sliced onion can be placed in the bottom of a bag and placed over the hoof (after cleaning it), then very heavily duct taped. This can be left on the animal until it is no longer limping. Maxi pads and tampons can be used as pressure bandages in cases of bleeding. Vet wrap and gauze padding are also very important to have.
In the case of a fallen animal (as in sinkhole), ropes and carabineer (an oblong metal ring with one spring-hinged side that is used in mountain climbing as a connector and to hold a freely running rope) are necessary. A heavy duty canvas tarp can be used as a stretcher to pull an animal to safety. Two pieces of six to eight inch PVC pipe can be cut in half approximately 24 inches long (varies with size of horse) to make a splint for leg injuries. One of the most important things that Gimenez stressed was to avoid using the horse’s legs, head, or neck as “handles” when pulling a trapped horse. It is vital that all rescue equipment be sturdy enough for the weight and forces being placed on it.


Safety is a main concern when working with injured animals. It is recommended that someone act as a designated “safety person” to make sure the area is kept reasonably clear. This person can also call for help by cell phone if needed. For the safety of the person working directly on the animal, a person holding on to his or her waist can add stability and reduce the risk of slippage or lost footing. Speaking calmly to the injured horse, and using slow deliberate actions will minimize the risk of startling the animal. Using a sedative is up to a veterinarian. There are instances where the drugs could cause the horse to drop his head and sedatives might be counterproductive, such as in situations where the horse could drown.


When attempting to catch a loose animal, using grain to coax the horse is a handy tool. To guide animals off roads, funnel them into a trailer, or contain them until more help can arrive, orange construction fencing can be stretched out and used. Inexpensive and available at most local hardware stores, it takes minimal training and bystanders are easily able to assist. And, because the heavy construction fencing is brightly colored and plastic, it is more visible and less likely to injure an animal.


In the event of an animal being stuck in the mud, use an air tank, coil air hose and pieces of PVC pipe. Attach the air tank valve to the air hose and then duct tape the hose to a length of PVC pipe. Carefully insert the PVC pipe into the mud next to animal's leg. Turn the air tank to full open so a burst of air through the PVC pipe creates an air pocket around or near the leg breaking the suction which has trapped the animal. Be prepared to calm the horse as the sudden noise from the burst of air may startle him. Once the suction is broken, the animal should be able to move that leg and the rescuers can then very gently and carefully repeat the process on other legs as needed to help the animal move out of the mud.


Gimenez discusses rescue of horses from trailer accidents. He said many times it might be easier to bring the trailer back onto the wheels and walk the horse out than to try to extricate him from an overturned trailer. This is especially true if multiple horses are inside. If rescuers must work with an overturned trailer, it is important to block the windows on the side of the trailer so that the horse does not stick a leg through one. During the clinic, Gimenez and his team demonstrate the time, patience, and diligence that is necessary to upright a trailer while horses are still inside. The skills needed to act appropriately in these emergency conditions can mean the difference between life or death. Make plans now to attend a safety clinic near you! Someday the knowledge you gain may save the life of a horse you love.

[Terry Wallace]

Might want to ad.....A bottle of saline solution water for cleaning out wounds... I use the stuff for contact lenses...handy and no running to the house if I need to irrigate a wound ASAP.....
A stethoscope is a must... along with everything else mentioned...AND a good horse first aid book....mine stays in the medicine box (tool box for horse meds)

[halfmoonfino]

I don't keep tons of stuff on hand; just enough to treat small wounds myself or keep things under control until a vet gets out to the stable.

Currently I have:
Nolvasan Antiseptic cream
Vetwrap (in neon green :lol:)
Iodine
Peroxide
A towel
A needle/syringe
Probiotics
Bute
Mineral Oil
Measuring cups
Hoofcare ointments
Blanket rub treatment
A few cups and containers (just in case)
Essential oils to calm down a nervous horse (mugwort, lavendar, and some others)
A medical guide with good descriptions, including info on wound care, lameness diagnosis, baseline vitals, deoworming, etc...

At the barn we also keep a stash of latex examining gloves, baby wipes, and large syringes.

I think the more horses you have the more variet you need in your kit. The trouble Pitty could get himself into would be more easily treated, plus calling a vet out once in a while for one horse is affordable. Having a barnfull, you'll want to treat as much as you can by yourself!

[Brigitte]

Wow Lori, you always find these great article to post!

[CarolU]

You know, I just can't imagine that much mud.

And I thought enough mud to suck my shoe off bad. :shock:

[Candice Burger]

hoof nippers--don't have to be great; to pull off shoes
hoof knife
bandage scissors
twitch
a good soft heavy long rope
vaseline
pine tar
flash light and head lamp
plastic bags--you can line a feed bucket temporarily for uncontaminated water to clean a wound.
rubbing alcohol
polo wraps
pliers/hemostats that can pull out wire or various splinters out of a flesh wound
hammer
fencing tool
wire cutters--buy the best you can afford. There is nothing worse than a horse caught in wire and your'e spending precious time with cutters that bend or break rather than cut wire I'll have to make a plug for the best wire cutters I've ever had. Found on kencove.com. Cut many a fence wire already with these things and they still cut a 12 gauge wire like butter. A 5 year old could cut with these things. http://kencove.com/ShopDetail.php?recordID=TCTXC

I keep my emergency tools specifically for that. Then I know exactly where I can find my hammer, flashlight, tools etc. if I must rig a holding pen or plug a fence hole up in the middle of the night. Trying to stabilize an injured horse and keep others away or enclosed at the same time isn't allot of fun.



I love Cut Heal (liquid and dust), novalsan, and pine tar.

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

Where's Privatetreaty. She has an awesome medicine kit. 8-)



We are waiting PRIVATETREATY!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll:

[Pasogirlz]

Where's Privatetreaty. She has an awesome medicine kit. 8-)



We are waiting PRIVATETREATY!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :poking

[Privatetreaty]

Gee, I feel like an airhead again.
What is this? Twice in one week. This has got to be a record.

Sorry about the delay.
I'll try to go to the barn this afternoon.

Thank you for the reminder.


.

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

Are you back yet Privatetreaty????????

Let us know your inventory!!!!!! :rant