With any emergency, time is of the essence. Having the necessary items in your first aid kit for both you and your horse is essential. Having the basics on hand will help you treat your horse--or yourself--until the proper care can be administered. Here are our First Aid Essentials.

What First Aid Essentials do I need?

As emergencies can happen anywhere, your first aid kit must be easily portable. A handle can be useful so it can be easily carried in a hurry. The opening and closing mechanisms should be secure, but easy to use. Next, think about choosing a kit that has organizational features, whether it be dividers you can move around or trays that can be stacked. You want your kit to remain organized with each item having its own designated spot, as this will cut down on the time spent locating the contents. When it comes to the actual items within the first aid kit, stick with the basics as you’re simply treating your horse (or yourself) until additional care can be provided. Medical personnel are the best ones to assess a situation and are better equipped to offer additional care.

What to include in my First Aid Kit

Items such as dressings, gels, and bandages should make up the bulk of your kit. Wound care is a common practice that comes along with treating horses and having these items easily accessible is important. Additionally, don’t forget to include scissors, cleansing wipes, and even tape to ensure your kit is complete. As for the rider, having items to treat minor wounds is just as important. There should be plenty of finger plasters and graze plasters as these items will protect the skin from abrasion. Dressing pads, cleansing wipes, and even insect repellent wipes should be considered when building a first aid kit. With rigorous schedules leading up to competition season, it’s common to run into minor injuries for both yourself and your horse. So, it’s important to have all the necessary items in one place, organized, and at your fingertips.