Horse Illustrated Magazine

Don’t get caught unprepared when an injury occurs at your barn. Keep first aid kits for horses and humans stored in a secure location where all items will remain clean and ready until you need them. Although kits for horses and humans share some of the same items, keep two separate kits and restock them as soon as possible after you’ve used an item.

Post phone numbers for your regular vet, farrier, an emergency hauler and at least one back-up vet near the phone, or in a prominent location if you do not have a phone in the barn. Post the emergency number for your area if you do not live in a location that uses 911. Keep emergency contact info for any horse owners and riders at your farm readily available.

Keep detailed directions to the farm posted near the phone so that you will be able to accurately direct emergency responders to your location. Have printed directions to the nearest equine hospital readily available.

Click here to download and print this checklist.

For Humans

• Absorbent compress dressings
• Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• Adhesive cloth tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• Asprin
• Blanket
• Breathing barrier (for CPR)
• Instant cold compress
• Nonlatex gloves
• Hydrocortisone ointment (for skin irritations)
• Scissors
• Gauze bandages
• Gauze pads (assorted sizes)
• Oral Thermometer
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet

For Horses

• Phone number for regular vet and emergency vet
• Roll cotton
• Self-adhesive bandage
• Gauze pads (assorted sizes)
• Adhesive cloth tape
• Duct tape
• Leg wraps (pillow wraps and stable bandages)
• Scissors
• Rectal Thermometer
• Surgical scrub and antiseptic solution
• Wound Ointment
• Latex gloves
• Flashlight
• Extra Batteries
• Pliers or nippers (to pull nails)
• Eye wash
• Clean towels
• Epsom Salts
• Hoof Boot

Further Reading
How to handle horse and rider injuries at the barn