Stable First Aid Kit for Horses: The Right Equipment for Emergencies and Daily Care

Why is a stable first-aid kit indispensable?

A fully equipped stable first-aid kit is essential for taking swift action in an emergency. It also allows horse owners to independently handle minor injuries or illnesses.

It is crucial that, in the stressful situation of an injury, no time is wasted searching for the right supplies. Everything should be kept in one easily accessible location that everyone knows. Any used items must be replaced immediately so that first aid can be administered quickly and complications avoided. When the first-aid kit is safely and completely stored in the stable, it also provides reassurance for all horse owners and boarders. They can be confident that they can provide immediate care in case of injuries or illness. Later on, the stable first-aid kit also supports the healing process.

Although there are no specific legal requirements for what a stable first-aid kit must contain, obligations arise from animal welfare laws and other regulations. Veterinarians consistently emphasize that a stable first-aid kit is always a useful tool—especially when everyone in the stable knows how to use it. Regular training sessions or crash courses in first aid are therefore highly recommended to refresh or acquire essential knowledge.

Medications and care products

Using the Stable First-Aid Kit – First Aid for Horses

Wounds: First, the depth of the wound must be assessed. If it is deeper than a superficial scrape, a veterinarian should be contacted. In cases of heavy bleeding, prompt action is critical. Wounds located on a joint or tendon also require quick intervention to prevent serious infections. For heavily bleeding wounds, a pressure bandage can help until the vet arrives. This consists of sterile dressings placed on the wound and secured by wrapping a gauze bandage once around the leg. A second rolled-up gauze bandage is then applied on top and also secured. Self-adhesive bandagescan simplify the fixation.

“Every open wound on a horse should be considered contaminated,” emphasizes veterinarian Dr. Björn Freese. “There is no sterile environment in a stable. It’s not only important to provide proper wound care, but also to ensure tetanus prophylaxis. Unfortunately, we still see many horses where this has been neglected.”

Nail puncture

If sudden lameness occurs, it is often due to a nail puncture. There is an immediate risk of damage to deeper structures in the hoof. The horse should not be moved, and the veterinarian should be called as soon as possible. The nail or other foreign object should generally be left in the hoof, unless it is protruding significantly. The affected area should be marked for the vet. A hoof bandage is recommended whether the object is left in place or removed.

Checking vital signs

Every horse owner should be able to check a horse’s pulse, respiration, and temperature in an emergency. A string attached to the thermometer prevents it from getting lost in the rectum. Regular training is recommended!

Help in Emergency Situations

Finally, Björn Freese wants to give an appeal to horse owners. An injured horse is always a shock, but it is important to keep a clear head in an emergency. Those who practice emergency scenarios in first-aid courses for horse owners are likely to handle real situations more confidently. Such courses also teach how to apply pressure bandages and other emergency measures.

“However, it is very important to emphasize that your own safety always comes first,” says Freese. “It helps no one if the horse owner acts recklessly and gets injured by their normally calm, but now panicked, horse. Such situations are unfamiliar territory, and many owners tell me they didn’t even recognize their own horse. Yet, they often act carelessly: I’ve seen owners ride in the back of a trailer with their injured horse. That is, of course, a no-go and highly dangerous. Self-protection always comes first.”

One final tip: “Today, everyone has a smartphone and can take photos or videos,” explains Björn Freese. “With digital technology, the veterinarian can often assess from a distance how urgently care is needed and coordinate with the horse owner. They can also provide helpful advice for the time until the vet arrives, such as the importance of hygiene even for minor injuries.”

Care and Maintenance of the Stable First-Aid Kit

The exact contents of the stable first-aid kit should be discussed with the veterinarian, who can provide useful advice. Expired medications and bandaging materials are a no-go! In larger stables, it is worthwhile to keep an inventory of the first-aid kit and appoint a responsible person to conduct regular checks.

It is the responsibility of this person—or of every horse owner—to maintain cleanliness and order in the first-aid kit and to check expiration dates regularly. Missing materials must be replaced. Training all stable staff is a valuable investment that can also benefit each individual horse owner.