So, I didn't make it to princess tonight.Seattle it rains at least 4/7 days a week from November to March. You would think that people would learn how to drive in the rain, but alas, they do not. I quickly gave up on my quest to the pony, and have decided to try again tomorrow. Her caretaker sent me an adorable photo of her, and it makes me miss her even more. Due to our new in ground pool, I haven't been out since Saturday.
Pony mom Fail.
While sitting on the couch wasting time, I decided to try and catch up on blogs. First, thank you everyone for your kind words that you wrote for Denali, you truly are amazing people. Second, a lot of you blogged about things that made me think.
One thing was written by Wendy over at From Racehorse to Showhorse was about having and equine first aide kit.
Are you ready for this one?
As accident proof as Denali is, I do not own a first aide kit. Sure I have some things on hand, bute, thermometer, vet wrap, standing wraps, and ice boots. I use to own one, but mice got into it and I haven't replaced it.
Pony mom Fail II.
So new goal for 2011, buy or create a first aid kit. The Equine Hospital that Denali went to this July sells complete kits, but they are $200. They do come with everything, medication included (bute, banamine, and something else.) I guess I get worried about when to use meds and when not to use meds. I am like a new mother, I call the Dr. over EVERYTHING.
Right now I have it pretty simple, she lives at the Vet's barn and that is a walking first aid kit. She has access (or I guess I should say I have access) to anything she could possibly need. Ever. I hope that someday she can leave (although I do LOVE the barn, it's just way too far) and when she does I want to be totally prepared this time (because if I prepare I won't need anything, EVER.)
Wendy asked what her readers had in their first aid kits, but I want to know what should I put in mine?
12 comments:
I think it's good to have a fully-stocked kit even if you aren't comfortable with administering everything yourself... That way all the supplies are on hand if you have a more confident horsey friend with you, or if it's something the vet can talk you through on the phone (like administering banamine paste). I've worked in a few barns and now at a non-profit, I sometimes have to stand in during emergencies until the vet can come out... So while I prefer to let the pros handle everything, I know how to handle most emergencies and how to wrap, pack, inject (IM and IV), dose, twitch, and so on when needed.
I have a decent-sized horsey first aid kit that I really should double-check to be sure I don't need to replenish... It lives in my trailer. In the barn I also have a smaller, human first aid kit, and two small rubbermaids -- one with a stethoscope, extra banamine, bute, electrolytes, syringes, gauze/cotton, vetwrap, scissors, rubbing alcohol, gloves, thermometer, vaseline, betadine, and ointments, and another one specifically geared towards abscesses, with epsom salts, ichthammol, and packing materials (including diapers, because they are handily shaped to fit around a hoof and save you some wrapping!). Standing wraps and poultices live in one of my tack trunks.
Having some tranquilizer on hand to sedate a stuck horse until more help arrives can be handy... But it would be something to talk to the vet about. Just be sure you have proper needles/syringes as well if you have anything injectable.
Strange as it sounds, one thing I make sure to add is some "feminine" stuff... Never know when YOU might need them, but they are also good at packing wounds in a pinch.
I also keep a "how to" first aid book geared towards both horses and humans in my kit, because, well, sometimes you PANIC and need a reminder! I also keep a flashlight, extra batteries, and emergency contacts on hand, too. And don't forget the duct tape!
It seems like a lot, and maybe it is, LOL! I thought I was gonna write a short answer and then I kept adding, haha. But I'm also boarding self-care and can't rely on anyone else having what I might need... I joke that I have a Girl Scout complex -- you can never be over-prepared!
Something random that I find very handy-dandy to have in a first aid kit is something thick and black to use to cover a horse's eyes in case of emergency. Odd, but it works! Also, while not necesarily first aid kit material, I never travel without vitamine E, vaseline, and Derma Gel, for rubs, bumps, and cuts. Handy thigns to have on hand! Also, while Seattle rain sucks, it sure is beautiful when its sunny!
This isn't a bad list:
/www.feednfarm.com/horsefirstaid.html
I don't keep the injectables on hand that they do, but do keep injectable (I won't do an IV injection but I do do IM injections as needed - every horse owner should learn how to do this) Banamine on hand. I also keep Banamine and Bute paste on hand. I'm also not capable of doing stitches myself, although if our vet were farther away I'd learn.
If you trailer, there are additional items needed for the trailer that relate to safety and/or dealing with an injured/sick horse.
Good thought - I need to update my kit.
Thermometer and stethoscope. Lot of vet wrap, wound disinfectant and non stick bandages of assorted large sizes. Corona or an aloe vera salve and I like a wound ointment called Wound Heal that forms a protective coating over small wounds. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. A saline eye wash and a mild antiseptic eye salve. No-bow wraps and standing wraps. A twitch can be handy, so can an EasyBoot. You can get penicillin and syringes at the feed store and bute and banamine from your vet. I'm sure I forgot something, but this will handle most anything that you are not having the vet out for and most follow up if you do call the vet out. Lots of times I have just called the vet on the phone, he runs through a shopping list of items I should use and then I take care of it myself.
Banamine. I can't tell you how many times this has helped me save a horse. Vet wrap, ductape for things like repairing blankets, halters, wrapping feet. Towels of varying sizes. Non-stick gauze pads (I got mine at the drug store) have also saved my ass on several occasions, coupled with vet wrap they can fix up stuff. Thermometer and stethoscope, especially stethoscope for listening to gut sounds, heart beat etc. Blood stop powder though in a pinch baking soda works. Peroxide (but only int he first 24 hours of a horse getting cut) and iodine you dilute the iodine with the peroxide. Syringes of various sizes. The large ones with the long ends for giving oral meds, smaller ones without needles for flushing wounds with water etc. Scissors for all sorts of things though I am a fan of unwrapping bandages rather than cutting them in fear my horse might move and the scissors may be blunt.Clippers for trimming long hair around wounds. A pair of tweezers, you never know what you are going to have something stuck in a wound. Atravet (tranquilizer) The most important one though is a sheet with where and how to take all horses vital signs, the normal vital signs, stressed vital signs and OMFG CALL THE VET vital signs. I also have a list of ALL the vets in our area in case one can't come out and a list of farriers too. I rely on those two papers the most. Also have a copy of your horses vet records and papers in there.
OH I also have things like wire cutters, rope (horse gets cast or another barn, non horse related emergency) zip ties, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, flashlight etc.
These might not be in the "first aid kit" but they are always close by in my trunk in the barn.
I have all kinds of medical supplies and my barn/travel mate has the best first aid kid in the world, but I'm guilty of not having a first aid kit either. I read that entry and felt super guilty. Horsey first aid kit is top of my list for next month :)
Oh wow I don't have one either . . . . hmm. Most medications I just keep in one of my upper cabinets that I don't use so it's dark and cool (or in the fridge if it needs it). I'm interested to see what people suggest. I'm also like you in that I call my vet or vet tech friend about everything! :)
And you are not a pony mom failure btw. I think you're doing great especially for this being your first horse that belongs to you. It is completely different from leasing, borrowing or even from the horses parents take care of. I have learned sooooo much from having Chrome because I'm the one who has to learn and make the decision and make the mistakes and make the budget. It's difficult, but will make me a better horse person in the long run. Keep up the great work!!
You should look up the official "pony club" first aid kit list. It's LONG and extensive, but you can source most of the items at feed stores/drug stores, and fill in a few items with your vet. In my experience, it's WAY cheaper to build your own, and if you actually chase down all the materials, it can last you for a while and you'll be the friggin boy scout of first aid for your barn....
The few things I couldn't live without for wound care: betadine scrub, sterile saline, non-stick gauze pads, alu-shield, and vet wrap. I also keep a tube of pro bios on hand in case of mild tummy trouble. I have banamine in my trunk too, though (knocking wood) never used it. I always have standing wraps and liniment too because I wrap him whenever he jumps, but I don't know if I'd call that first aid. Those are my essentials, I always make sure they are handy. Interested to see what other suggestions people have though!
Go back to Racehorse and view's Frizzle's list..it's pretty damn good. You can add/replace things too that you like. I LOVE my dermagel. Love my Bendadine for cleaning/soaking. Add Epsom salts for any sort of abscess soak. Novelson scrub and ointment is great.
Maxi pads make great bandage pads that you can attach via Vet wraps.
Oh..and most important..BUBBLE WRAP! ;)
This isn't specific to this post, but I love your blog and have been following it for about a month now. I decided to mention you and a link in my most recent post in horsez-r-us.blogspot.com since I have no "horsey" events happening due to surgery! I am hooked onto your blog and have subscribed and always look forward to reading!
For cheap alternatives, maxi pads are great for covering wounds, cornstarch is a fantastic coagulant for bleeding wounds, diapers work to cover hooves (or make a paste out of Epsom salts and pack it in the grooves of the hoof and heel and cover with a diaper for a horse that is difficult to soak) Listerine is a good antiseptic and diaper rash ointment works well on scratches and minor scrapes.
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