First Aid Kit

While you won’t be able to handle every issue you come across with your pony without the help of a vet, having everything you need nearby will help you feel confident that you can cope with small cuts and scrapes. Putting together a first aid kit means you’ll be well prepared, and it’s so simple to organise.

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Ask your vet to show you how to dress a wound next time they come to see your pony. That way you’ll be ahead of the game if gets a scrape.

What do you need in your first aid kit?

So, what should be in your first aid kit, and how is each item used?

• A non-breakable bowl – useful for soaking poultices and washing wounds
• Gauze swabs – used for cleaning a cut
• A digital thermometer
• Petroleum jelly – apply it to your thermometer to make it easier to check your pony’s temperature
• Antibacterial wash – to clean small cuts and scrapes (make sure you follow any dilution instructions on the bottle)
• Wound gel or cream – can be applied to a cleaned cut to protect and help healing
• Dressings – come in many sizes and types. Have a few different options – small and large – to protect cuts or scrapes
• Cohesive bandage – to hold dressings in place
• Scissors – a must-have for cutting dressings to the correct size and shape
• Padding – gamgee or cotton wool roll can be used over a dressing if extra padding is needed
• Disposable gloves – essential to protect you and avoid any germs on your hands from entering your pony’s cut
• Poultice – can be applied to a suspected abscess to draw out the infection
• Duct tape – to keep a poultice on your pony’s foot
• A note of the contact details for your pony’s vet and farrier, as well any important information about him, such as allergies

You can buy ready-made first aid kits, or build your own in a bag or box.

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Keep a head torch in your first aid or grooming kit. It’ll be super helpful if your pony has a cut that’s difficult to see or needs a vet at night!

What injuries can I treat myself?

Very small cuts and scrapes can be safely treated at home as long as they are very shallow and aren’t near a joint. However, if the wound is all the way through the skin, large, or won’t stop bleeding, or there is a puncture wound anywhere on your pony’s body or hoof, call your vet immediately. Similarly, if your pony is lame or has a high temperature, pulse, or respiration rate then it’s important to get veterinary advice ASAP.

If you’re worried or not sure what to do, don’t be afraid to call your vet for advice. It’s always better to be safe and double-check rather than allowing an issue to get worse.

Did you know?

Check your pony’s temperature, pulse, and respiration rates regularly and keep a note of them so you know what’s normal for him. Find out how to check them here.