Expert Advice

First Aid for the Horse: From Dr. Suit

Basic First Aid Kit for Horses

First aid kits can be purchased from horse stores, but they can be pricey. A first aid kit can be easily compiled at minimal cost. It is a good idea to keep two first aid kits. One should be kept in the barn or tack room as the primary kit and should be easily accessible in case of emergency. The second kit should contain the bare essentials and be portable so it can be taken on rides.

The primary equine first aid kit should consist of:

1 roll of cotton wool (30 cm wide, 375 g in weight)1 or 2 rolls of self-adhesive bandaging tape (10 cm wide)
1 roll of cotton gauze or crepe bandage; (7.5 cm wide)
1 or 2 multipurpose dressings
1 adhesive stretch bandage (7.5 cm wide)
Antiseptic spray
Antiseptic wash (Betadine or other antiseptic preparation may be used)
Some type of antiseptic soothing preparation
Jar of petroleum jelly (100 g)
1 pair of 15 cm curved, blunt-edged dressing scissors
Fly repellent
Pack of salt (can be mixed in water to form a saline cleaning solution for wounds)
Epsom salts
A bottle of sterile water (in case there is no water supply available)
Extra-thick leg bandages
Newborn infant diapers (to use as bandages)
Human thermometer (with a string attached to prevent loss in the rectum)
1 small plastic bowl
1 used, clean worming syringe (for pressure-irrigating wounds)
Instant cool pack or some ice or cold gel packs kept in the freezer
A halter and lead rope
A twitch (in case restraint is needed)
Phone numbers for veterinarians
A waterproof box for storage of all the items.

Note: Remember to always replace materials you have used.

The second, smaller first aid kit should consist of:

A hoof pick and pocket knife (or a handypick– a hoof pick and knife combination)
1 or 2 bandages
Antiseptic spray
Baling twine for tying your horse safely
Phone numbers for your veterinarians
Money (for emergencies)
Notes on essential first aid
A listing of your name/age/phone number/and any other medical specifications in case you are found unconscious
Human first-aid items (e.g., Band-Aids, etc.); and
A small, durable bag to be put in a saddle bag or backpack while riding.

Emergency Kit for Trailer and Saddlebag:

Stethoscope
Duct tape
Diapers
Gauze pads
Brown roll cotton
Cotton wraps
Scissors
White tape
Thermometer
Shoe pullers
Saline solution
Pliers
Latex gloves
Antiseptic solution: Chlorhexidine or betadine (Chlorhexidine preferred)
Vet wrap
Elastikon- 4″
Flashlight (spare batteries)
Easy Boot
Hoof pick
PVC Splint (4″ width/at least 1/4 inch thick)
Garden hose (6–8 ” in length/35 ml or 60 ml syringe cases)

Medications:

Phenylbutazone (12 gm paste/1 gm tabs/100 mg powder) anti-inflammatory
Flunixine Meglumine (Banamine paste 32 gm) anti-inflammatory
Eye Ointment (no hydrocortisone)
Silvadene Cream (silver sulfadiazine 25 gm) antibacterial; can be used in eye
Cephalosporin Syringe – antibiotic, broad spectrum
Saline Solution –LRS/Norm-R (alternative = 2 tsp. salt mixed with 1 liter boiled water)

Normal Vitals:

Temperature = 99.5 — 101.5 degrees F (33.3–38.3 degrees Celsius)
Heart Rate: = 28–40 beats per minute
Respirations = 12–20 breaths per minute
Capillary Refill Time = less than 2 seconds (time for blood to return to tissue)
Mucous membranes = pink, moist

The Importance of Massage Therapy: By Alyssa Bartush, CEMT

A body is made up of 90% water. Water must flow through our bodies, muscles, and veins for them to work properly. If there is a blockage in our water-flow, it causes a “sticky spot.” The sticky spot can be a variety of things from a bruise, to a broken bone, to scar tissue. Often times a sticky spot in the body is so small we don’t notice it and continue about our usual lives without a second thought. This applies to both humans and horses. I specialize in finding those spots no matter how small or large and releasing them to allow the water to flow freely throughout the body. If a body is working and flowing properly, it creates optimal strength, flexibility, self-awareness, and relaxation. Thus, allowing the body to perform at 100%. Further, it creates faster healing after an injury, prevents scar tissue and will break up old scar tissue from a previous injury.

There are many different scenarios that will create these so called sticky spots. A sore area can arise weeks, even years, after an injury. Things such as aging, heavy training, or climate/location change often aggravate old injuries. However, all bodies can wake up with a stiff neck, a sore foot, or a sore back and not have an exact reason for it. All of those things affect daily activities and performance.

There are many ways to tell if your horse has a sticky spot but the easiest way is to listen. Pay attention to your horse’s “bad” behavior. Is your horse really being stubborn, or is there something else going on? Pay attention to the days that you don’t have a perfect ride and the days you do. My goal is to give you and your horse the perfect ride every time you step in the saddle.

Alyssa Bartush, CEMT
(970)-744-9795

Equestrian Exercises Focus on Core and Quads: By Michelle Hurni

Side plank (core/obliques)

Lay on your side, elbow right under your shoulder.
You can keep your knees down, or legs straight.
Lift hips up until your spine, hips and knees are in a straight line.
Hold for as long as you can.
OR … lift up and down with your hips.

Bear Plank

Get into bear position, hands under shoulders, knees under hips.
Curl your toes under and lift your knees barely off the floor.
Hold for as long as you can.
Alternative: from bear, you can alternate 1 leg out, then in.

Hamstring roll in (hamstrings and core)

Lay on the floor, heels/calves on the ball.
Lift hips up, abs tight.
Roll the ball in, bending the knees and keeping the hips up.
Hold, then roll back out again
REPS: 2 sets of 15

Shoulder Bridge (core, hamstrings, glutes)

Heels on the floor.
Lift and lower hips, pressing through the heels.
Squeeze abs and glutes as you press.
REPS: approximately 2 sets of 12

Wall Sit (quads, core if you use a ball)

Place the ball on your lower back, against a wall.
Walk your feet away and lower hips.
Hold this position for 1 min, or pulse hips up and down to really work the quads.
Keep abs tight so your spine stays straight.
ALT: You can do this with just your back against the wall. Make sure to keep your abs tight and your low back pressed into the wall.
REPS: 1 min, two times

Hip/leg lifts (core)

Place the ball between your feet.
Lift legs above your hips.
Press your low back into the floor and try to lift your hips off the floor.
You can also do this without the ball.
REPS: approximately 2 sets of 20

Shoulder Bridge w leg press (core, hamstrings, glutes)

Same as shoulder bridge, but raise one leg straight over the hip.
You can keep your hips up and just press the foot to the ceiling.
Make sure you press through your heel on the floor.
REPS: approximately 2 sets of 15 each leg

Add a footnote if this applies to your business

Equine Expert Advise