Must-haves for your equine first-aid kit

Jeff Hall, DVM, Senior Equine Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis

It’s the perfect day for a ride. But, while unloading your horse, he quickly steps back lifting his head high and catches the edge of the trailer roof. The gash on his head is deep. What are your next steps?

Make sure you know the best plan of action to help minimize your horse’s risk in times of emergency.

Small cuts and scrapes can be common with a horse’s natural curiosity and flight-or-fight response. Other types of emergencies can include colic, unresolving choke, acute lameness and fever. Considering such potential threats, a first-aid kit will be crucial to help ensure his overall safety when away from immediate veterinary service.

I recommend keeping a first-aid kit in both your barn and your horse trailer, should you ever need quick access to supplies when traveling with your horse. Listed below are key materials to keep stocked in your kit, most of which can be found at any drug/convenience store:

Thermometer
One roll of cotton, gauze pads, brown gauze
Large nonstick Tefla pads
Adhesive wrap, like 3M VetWrap Equine Bandaging Tape
Diaper
Leg wraps
White tape
Duct tape
Disposable gloves
Eye saline solution
Bandage/safety scissors
Triple antibiotic ointment
Stethoscope
Hoof pick
Crush type instant cold pack
Antimicrobial wound cleanser (Betadine® or chlorhexidine solution)
Small flashlight with spare batteries
Sharp knife
Tweezers and hemostat
Dormosedan Gel^® (detomidine hydrochloride)

If your horse becomes injured and fractious, or simply won’t cooperate, administering Dormosedan Gel, a mild sedative available with a prescription from your veterinarian, can help restore calm and help prevent further injury. It’s an easy-to-use option for needle-shy horses and horse owners who are uncomfortable giving an injection.

Dormosedan Gel was created for you, the horseman, to administer without a veterinarian, as it is the only equine oral sedative of its kind. Dormosedan Gel is deposited under the horse’s tongue by an easy-to-use tube to absorb through the oral mucosa. Dormosedan Gel will NOT work as intended if swallowed by the horse like a dewormer. It’s helpful to have a few tubes on hand for stressful or emergency situations—such as treating an injury, bandage changes, hoof trimming or shoeing, and minor nonpainful procedures. Dormosedan Gel is a valued addition to equine first-aid kits.

I encourage you to work with the veterinarian on your team for additional guidance on emergency care and first aid. To learn how to administer Dormosedan Gel to your horse, visit this blog to watch a video. For more information and resources, please visit DormGel.com.

Important safety information

Do not use DORMOSEDAN GEL in horses with pre-existing atrioventricular (AV) or sinoatrial (SA) block, with severe coronary insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, or chronic renal failure. Do not use in anesthetized or sedated horses, or in conditions of shock, severe debilitation or stress due to extreme heat, cold, fatigue or high altitude. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Handle gel-dosing syringes with caution to avoid direct exposure to skin, eyes or mouth. See full Prescribing Information.