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Every horse owner should know basic first aid for horses.

There are two types of first aid that may be needed to be rendered to a horse: treatment for injuries or wounds that do not require vet attention and first aid measures that should be rendered while waiting for a vet to arrive.

First aid given to a horse can make a difference in the outcome of the horse’s recover and future health.

The owner or other individual performing first aid on a horse must first of all remain calm. Someone who panics may cause further harm to the horse or may become injured if the horse becomes too excited or scared.

Make sure it is safe to approach the horse. If it is not safe, do not go near the horse, but wait for the vet. You can watch the horse so that you can report any changes to the vet when the vet arrives.

If the horse can be moved, bring the horse to a familiar area where you can work on the horse while calming the horse down. Rub the horse’s neck or talk to it while you move slowly around the horse to assess the injuries or the wound.

Wound care:

Always seek a vet’s care if the wound is large, or you do not feel comfortable treating it by yourself.

It may take up to an hour for fresh wounds to stop bleeding so do not be alarmed if it takes this long. If there is severe bleeding, you will need to apply a pressure bandage directly to the wound using a thick pad of gauze or clean cloth folded several times.

If you cannot wrap the bandage to keep it in place, then you will need to hold it in place until the bleeding stops. If the pad becomes blood soaked, DO NOT REMOVE IT.

Place another pad over the soaked pad and continue to apply steady pressure until the vet arrives.

A first Aid Kit is a necessity:

You should have a first aid kit in the stable and with you while traveling with your horse. Use a waterproof bag for the traveling kit. You will want to attach the kit to the saddle or to your belt if riding.

Items you should have in your first aid kit:

• Thermometer
• Stethoscope
• Flashlight
• Electrolytes (powder and paste), used for dehydration
• Neosporin
• Diluted iodine solution
• Nolvasan, Furacin, Corona Wound Powder (antiseptic)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Knife for making a splint or for cutting bandages
• Wire cutters in case the horse get tangled in fencing
• Twitch
• Hoof picks
• Fly lotion
• Ophthalmic Polysporin for eye injuries
• Bandaging materials such as gauze, Telfas, which are non-stick gauze, duct tape, diapers to be used as pressure dressings
• Cotton leg wraps
• Elastoplast (1″ and 2″)
• Saran wrap
• 6″ brown roll gauze


• Med-Rip bandage tape


• Latex Gloves


• 18 gage needles


• Irrigating syringe


• Antibiotic spray


• Safety pins


• Zip lock bags


• Epsom salt


• Betadine solution and betadine scrub


• Petroleum jelly


• Blunt-nosed scissors

If possible it is good to have some frozen cooling packs or other portable ice packs to be used in cold therapy.

Previous Articles By This Author

• Buying Your First Horse
• Equipment for Horses
• Basics of Horse Care
• Grooming your Horse
• The History of Horses