How To Help Horse Wounds Heal
Dealing With Equine Colic
Ask The Horse | Laminitis: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment
Equine Innovators: Rotavirus on the Move in Foals
Normal Horse Vital Signs and Health Indicators
Mare Gestation Calculator
Adult Horse Weight Calculator
Horses getting hurt usually isn’t a question of “if,” but rather “when.” Preparation is key, so we went to the team at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., to find out what’s needed in a first-aid kit to treat minor wounds and injuries.
First-Aid Kit
Keep a well-stocked and comprehensive first-aid kit for wound care so you'll have everything on hand before and after your vet visits the next time your horse sustains an acute injury or gets a hoof abscess. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Antimicrobial Wound Spray
Antimicrobial wound spray is a topical solution used to prevent and manage infection of minor wounds and abrasions and promote healing. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Eye Irrigation Solution
Eye irrigation solution is used to bathe and cleanse the eye, which can relieve discomfort, itching, stinging, and burning. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Brown Gauze
Nonstretching packaged brown gauze helps underlying bandaging materials in place. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Self-Adhering Wrap
Self-adhering wrap sticks to itself but not to other surfaces--including a horse’s hair coat--and doesn’t stretch once in place, which makes it ideal for securing bandaging materials. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Telfa Non-Adherent Pads
Used as a dressing, Telfa non-adherent pads won’t stick to wounds. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Sterile Combine Rolls
Sterile combine rolls, made of cotton, offer a protective layer to bandages and are highly absorbent. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Gauze Pads
Package gauze pads are used for dressing wounds. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Poultice
Poultice helps draw out inflammation and infection and is especially useful for hoof abscesses. The pictured product, Animalintex, is a dry pad that is saturated with water before use. A variety of poultices are available, many wet. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Duct Tape
A versatile and durable adhesive, duct tape makes an excellent final protective layer for hoof bandages. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Elastikon
Elastikon is a porous elastic adhesive tape that allows skin to breathe and stretches around uneven surfaces--think knees, hocks, and hooves. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Bandage Scissors
The blunt tips and handle angle of bandage scissors are useful for safely removing disposable dressings and wraps. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Antimicrobial Bandage Roll
In addition to being highly absorbent dressings, antimicrobial bandages fight germs to treat and prevent infection. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Porous Tape
Porous tape that allows skin to breathe is used for securing bandages. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
Penlight
A penlight provides extra illumination for inspecting equine injuries. | Photo: Kevin Thompson/The Horse
