First Aid for Horses
by Hawkesbury Equine Vet Centre (HEVC)

Horses and ponies often receive cuts and other wounds particularly on their face and legs. Many require just simple first aid measures, while others require the attention of your veterinarian. Prompt first aid can limit tissue damage following an injury and aid tissue healing after veterinary treatment.

The major aim of first aid for wounds and lacerations is to:

Stop bleeding by applying pressure
Clean and disinfect the wound
Apply medications and dressings if need be
If wounds are large, require stitching, continue to bleed excessively or in spurts (suggesting an artery has been cut), or involve a joint or tendon seek immediate veterinary advice

What should I do first?

If your horse has sustained a cut or wound the most important thing to do is to stop the bleeding. This can be done by applying direct pressure to the wound using a clean piece of cotton wool, either held or bandaged in place until the bleeding has stopped or your veterinarian has arrived. Don’t use a tourniquet, just firm pressure. Always tell your veterinarian if you have removed a foreign body, and keep it for his examination, as he will wish to make sure that no more are left more deeply in the wound.

Once bleeding has stopped or if the wound has not bled excessively it should be cleaned to reduce the risk of infection. Be gentle and careful not to re-start the bleeding. Liberal dowsing with water, using a hose, is effective at flushing off dirt and debris and helping to minimize swelling and inflammation. Cold water also helps to stop bleeding.

Minor wounds can be cleansed using a dilute solution of disinfectant. If possible a non-stick dressing should be applied, covered with a piece of cotton wool and held in place by a self-adhesive bandage. If the wound is large or deep or there has been extensive bleeding your veterinarian should be called. While waiting for your veterinarian the wound should be left covered where possible. Wounds on the upper limbs, body and head, not amenable to bandaging, should just be cleaned and left open or continually cold-hosed. Do not apply wound powder or ointment just in case the wound needs stitching, unless your veterinarian is going to be delayed. In this situation it would be helpful to spray the wound with anti-bacterial ointment such as ‘Oticlens’ just to keep the tissues soft and help prevent them from drying out.

Which types of wounds need stitching?
Wounds which penetrate the full thickness of the skin or deeper, wounds on the nostrils, lips and eyelids, wounds where a flap of skin has been created and wounds where underlying tissues have been exposed should always been seen by a veterinarian as in most instances they will require suturing.

If your horse has a wound that you think may require suturing it is important to call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Wounds sutured within 4 hours of occurrence tend to heal much more successfully that those that are repaired later, after the tissues have started to dry out. When sutured later, wounds may have already become swollen and are thus less amenable to suturing and more susceptible to complications.

Wounds over joints, tendon sheaths and penetrating body cavities

Wounds involving joints and tendon sheaths are always potentially life-threatening, as infection in these structures can be extremely difficult to resolve even if undertaken very quickly. Ask your veterinarian if you are unsure whether a wound has penetrated a joint or sheath.

Similarly, penetrating wounds into the chest and abdomen may cause immediate death or serious life-threatening complications. These cases, if resolvable, will need intensive treatment. Your veterinarian should be called immediately, stressing the emergency nature of the injury.

Protection Against Tetanus
All horses should be routinely vaccinated against tetanus. Extra protection by booster vaccination should be given to all wounded, or badly bruised horses within 24 hours of injur.y

When should you call your veterinarian?

A cut with a lot of bleeding,
If your horse is lying down and won't get up,
If your horse is rolling on the ground a lot,
A very cloudy eye,
If your horse keeps an eye closed,
If your horse won't put weight on a leg,
If your horse is very lame,
If your horse won't walk,
If your horse has a fever >39C,
If your horse is coughing excessively,
If your horse is choking, or
If your horse has difficulty breathing.

Basic First Aid Kit

Your first aid kit should contain the following items;

Cotton wool roll
Sterile non-stick dressings
Bandaging materials including self adhesive sticky and non-sticky bandages
Spare clean stable bandage
Small bottle of disinfectant, such as Betadine, Hibiscrub, or Dettol etc.
Antiseptic wound spray
Wound dressing for small wounds
Wound poultice dressing
Rectal thermometer
Latex gloves
Scissors
Hoof pick
A form with your details, and your veterinarians – especially contact numbers

Additional emergency equipment for freeing horses from fences or other predicaments (e.g. cast in a box) should be obtained and kept in a permanent place, particularly on studs, training or agistment properties.

1 x pair of wire cutters for cutting wire or fencing
1 x hacksaw and spare blade for cutting steel pipe rails or fence posts
1 x 6 meter rope for aiding a cast horse back onto its feet