First Aid
What should I keep in a first aid kit for a horse?
A recommended first aid kit for a horse includes:
elastic pressure bandages, cotton padding, gauze pads, a liquid would cleanser, antibiotic ointment, a drawing salve, and scissors.
Could someone please explain how to use each individual item in this, or if you have a different first aid kit you use, could you tell me what sort of stuff is in your first aid kit, and how you use it?
The pressure bandages and cotton padding go together. If a horse is wounded on the lower part of their leg, or if they get a tendon injury your vet may suggest wrapping it. The cotton gets wrapped loosely around the leg and the elastic pressure bandage is wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the padding. The best thing you can do is to get a friend or trainer to show you how to wrap a horse's leg before you ever NEED to. Bandaging can lead to more problems if it isn't done properly. The scissors are sometimes necessary to cut the bandages off, especially if you're using disposable bandages (such as vetrap).
A "liquid cleanser" refers to something like Betadine or a similar antibiotic that is used to rinse out a wound. Antibiotic ointment and gauze pads are self explanatory. . . I think the "drawing salve" refers to a poultice. It is a clay-like substance that can be smeared on a swollen limb or joint. You then wrap the poultice in damp paper and bandage over it. The poultice helps to "draw out" and reduce the swelling.
You should also have a thermometer (and vasoline to lubricate the thermometer) and epson salts (used to draw out an abcess when mixed with water).
I've owned horses for nearly 15 years and these are the items that I have and use. You can get other items, but I don't think you'll need them (or at least need them before they expire - it's better to get anything else as it becomes necessary)
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