Being A Horse Doctor At Home: First Aid You Need To Know

You walk into the barn and find blood trickling down your horse’s leg. Okay, don’t panic! Do not panic! But your mind is already going in a million directions. What happened? How bad is it? Should I call the vet? Oh no! It’s Saturday! Are they even open today? Will this affect my horse’s riding? Where did I put the wound spray? Do I have any bandages?

Every horse owner will deal with injuries. As majestic and strong as horses are, they’re extremely accident-prone. No matter how careful you are, or how safe you make your pastures, our beloved horses will find a way to get themselves hurt. And as they’re caregivers, it’s our job to be ready for when (not if!) it happens.

1. Be Careful

You just found your horse injured, and your first instinct is to rush to take care of it. But wait. While your horse may be your gentle baby, that may change when you go to do some first aid. I’ve been hurt and very narrowly escaped serious injury while doctoring horses. It’s not that they are dangerous, but rather they feel vulnerable when they’re hurt. So always proceed with caution. Halter your horse, if possible, and get them to a safe, clean space to treat them. Approach your horse slowly and evaluate the injury from a distance before examining it closer. 

Tip:

Doing a mock exam for horses on a regular basis can help them feel more comfortable when the time comes for actual first aid to be applied. Doing this every day (like during feeding time) will also help you catch tiny scrapes and make sure your horse is healthy!

2. Have Your Supplies

The last thing you want to be doing at this time is running around looking for what you need. (Been there!) And when you find your horse hurt, it’s a little too late for a run to the farm store. So have a designated first aid box for the barn that is readily available. 

Here are some of my must have’s:

Wound spray (great for when you need a quick treatment)

Vet wrap (or any disposable medical stretch wrap)

Gauze pads and rolls (best to avoid cotton - it can irritate a wound)

Disposable gloves (when you can’t wash your hands & need to be sterile)

Scissors and knife (for cutting bandage and ropes)

Antibiotic ointment (for deeper wounds or bad bug bites)

Tweezers (for removing ticks and splitters)

Iodine or hydrogen peroxide (to sterilize wounds)

Flashlight (emergencies happen in a dark pasture often)

Medical and Duct Tape (for securing bandages)

Other great things to have in your first aid box would be a thermometer, stethoscope, crush-type instant cold pack, and even a mild sedative (for the horse, not you!).

Tips:

Remember a lot of your first aid supplies are sensitive to freezing, so when temperatures are going to drop, make sure to bring your box to a temperature-controlled space.

Don’t forget to restock as needed. And never use rubbing alcohol on horses.

3. What You Can Treat At Home

Unlike with our dogs and cats, we can’t just pop our horses in the car and run to the vet at a moment’s notice. So it’s important to know what injuries don’t require a horse trailer ride to the vet. Thankfully, most scratches, scrapes, bumps, and bruises can easily and safely be treated right at home! Any cut that is not too deep (when you cannot see any flesh, muscle, or bone) can be treated on your own. Found a lump on your horse, maybe from a kick while playing? Feel for heat and then gently apply pressure while gauging your horse’s reaction. If they aren't terribly bothered by it, you likely don’t need a vet visit. Bug bites can cause some lumps and bumps, too; plus, the irritation can cause your horse to rub and scrape it further. As long as there is no infection present, you can treat this. 

Tip:

Go with your gut feeling. It will always be better to be safe than sorry. And whenever you’re in doubt, or just want a second opinion, call your vet and ask what they think. Always, always have your vet’s phone number on hand!

4. How To Treat

Once you know you have what you need for first aid, can safely treat your horse, and have determined that this likely won’t require a vet’s attention, it’s time to go to work. 

If there is any blood, dried or still bleeding, the first thing you’ll want to do is get the wound completely clean. You can do this with a wound wash, or by simply hosing the wound out (beware that not all horses will stand quietly for this, so be careful). Next, you need to sterilize it, with something like iodine, following that with a wound spray or ointment. It’s important to note that not all wounds require bandaging and doing so incorrectly can cause more harm than good. If you are certain it needs to be bandaged and you haven’t successfully dealt with a similar injury before, you should definitely call your vet before proceeding. You may still be fully able to care for your horse at home, but it’s always best to double-check. 

If you are dealing with some bumps or bruising (which are generally seen together, since it’s hard to actually see the bruise through your horse’s coat) or with some swelling, go for cooling. That can be done through hosing the injury (most common) or through icing (with an ice pack or ice boots). If you’re using a hose, you’ll want to be standing on firm ground, where mud will not be an issue. Again, if you have any questions or concerns always call your vet.

The good news is that running through these questions and knowing what to do will become easier the more you do it! Scrapes and bumps are all part of owning and working with horses. And the more you learn and prepare for them, the easier things will be when the time comes.

Remember to choose calmness as you help your horse. Breathe deeply with them to help them come to a state of calmness as well. The more they feel your love for them, the more they will understand that you are doing this to help them.

Important Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian regarding any questions or concerns about your horse's health. The author of this blog is not a licensed veterinarian and does not provide medical diagnoses or treatment recommendations.