A Veterinary kit is an important, but often over-looked, necessity for every horse owner.  A few items will allow you to quickly fix any minor injuries that your horse may get; in the paddock or pasture, in stalls, or while out riding, or provide on the spot medical attention until you can get the horse to the vet.

Basic Supplies . . .

Wound Dressing – Effective prevention of bacterial infections in common skin lesions. Helps treat surface wounds, minor cuts, skin abrasions, harness galls and saddle sores. (Examples – Farnam Blue Lotion, Bleu Spray)

Antiseptic – Effective in the prevention of bacterial infections in cuts and scrapes and cleansing of areas before injections or to decrease contamination of stalls, barns, etc. (Examples – Iodine, Dettol, Hydrogen Peroxide)

Eye-Care – Effective eye wash to remove any debris that may get into your horses eyes and cause irritation. (Examples – Farnam Clear-Eyes)

Thermometer – Used to take your horses temperature to indicate illness.

Wound Powder – A dressing powder and blood coagulant to aid in stopping bleeding from wounds. (Examples – Farnam Wonder Dust)

Liniment – Used to stimulate circulation and relieve muscular stiffness and soreness. (Examples – Vetrolin Liniment, Absorbine Liniment)

Fungicide – Effective in promoting healing of fungal infections. (Examples – Shapley’s M-T-G, Hibitane Ointment)

Medicals Towels/Pads/Gauze – Effective for cleansing wound areas, covering open wounds and applying dressings to wounds. (Examples – Animalintex Pads)

Bandages – Effective for holding dressings in the proper place or covering open wounds to prevent debris from getting inside. Self adherent and won’t stick to skin or hair. (Examples – Co-flex bandages)

Latex Gloves – for protection in treating injuries and applying medications.

Q-Tips (Long Stem) - Used to clean around eyes, ears, nostrils and mucous membrane areas or to apply medications while avoiding cross contamination.

Wood Applicators – Used to apply ointments and topicals to dressings and wound areas to minimize contamination of medications.

Alcohol Wipes – Essential for cleansing and preparing injection sites, the top of the vaccination vial or instruments.

Flashlight – For lighting dimly lit areas like in a stall, the trailer, barn alleys, etc.  Allows for you to always be able to see what you’re doing.

Hoof Pick – Essential for cleaning and examination of the hoof area for quick assessments of hoof injuries.

Tourniquet – Used on legs and tails when excessive bleeding needs to be stopped.  Hopefully something you’ll never have to use, but shouldn’t be without.

Scalpel – Used to cut bandages, remove splinters, etc.

The possibilities are truly endless and you can start with a basic kit and add to it.  You can also include a few “human” products as well for those injuries that always seem to occur around horses (band-aids, a sling, a cold pack).  Don’t forget, restock items as you use them – an empty emergency kit is no good in an emergency! 

Kelly Bell's (nee: Ashbacher) knowledge of horses grew in local 4-H and open shows competing in Western pleasure, Western equitation, English Pleasure, English Equitation, Trail, Showmaship and Halter classes. Kelly competed with two horses over her showing career; a sorrel Quarter Horse mare, Double D Fashion and a Sorrel Overo Paint mare, Little Partee Sis.