Whether on day rides or overnighters - miles from home, out of cell phone range, and far from your vet, you need a first aid kit!

Be sure you know how to monitor your horse's vital signs. If not please print out the ‘how to's and keep it in your kit! I recommend that you get in the habit of riding with a running watch, or one with a second hand, so you can effectively monitor these signs. I'll also assume you always follow trail riding's first rule of safety: You never hit the trail without a riding buddy.

To handle trail emergencies you'll need to carry a complete trail first-aid kit - and know how to use each item in it. This list of must-haves can help you cope with the most common emergencies you're likely to encounter, but won't weigh you down - you can pack it all into a small cantle bag:

ITEM	WHAT IT DOES	WHEN TO USE IT	HOW TO USE IT
Bandaging materials: Two sheet cottons 10 4" x 4" gauze pads 1 roll brown gauze 1 roll Vetrap 1 roll self-adhesive elastic tape	Provides support/ protection to lower limb.	Wounds, Lameness	Apply pressure wrap, full-thickness, over skin wounds using 4-inch square gauze pads for pressure. Use all layers (2 sheet cottons, brown gauze, Vetrap, and self-adhesive elastic tape) to provide support for a tendon/ ligament strain, or suspected fracture.
Betadyne solution	Antiseptic solution for killing bacterial organisms and cleansing tissues.	Wounds, Lameness, Snakebites	For flushing wounds, dilute with fresh, clean water (10 parts water to 1 part Betadyne). For sanitizing a wound, apply directly, full strength.
12 or 20 cc needle-less syringes	Use to flush wounds with Betadyne solution.	Wounds, Lameness, Snakebites	Fill with Betadyne solution: rapidly depress plunger to create pressure for cleansing dirty wounds. Repeat process until wound appears clean.
Equine rectal thermometer, with string/ clip	Monitors horse's body temperature.	Heatstroke	Shake down thermometer; insert in rectum; affix clip to tail. After 3 minutes, remove and read temperature.
Saline solution (Tip: A small bottle of saline designed for contact-lens wearers can be purchased at any pharmacy.)	Cleanses eyes to help eliminate irritation. Can also be used to cleanse wounds.	Eye injury, Wounds	Drop liberal amounts directly into irritated/injured eye; squirt directly into wounds to cleanse tissues.
Antibiotic ophthalmic solution	Protects injured eyes/ wounds from infection.	Eye injury, Wounds	Apply directly to eye or wound.
Banamine	Reduces inflammation/ pain (most effective for internal pain or eye pain).	Colic, Eye injury	Administer either oral paste or powder, or through an intra-muscular injection. Average dose for 1,000 pound horse is approximately 500 mg.
Phenylbutazone ("bute")	Reduces inflammation/ pain (most effective for musculoskeletal injuries)	Tying up, Wounds, Lameness, Allergic reactions	Administer orally at approximate dose of two 1-gram tablets for a 1,000-pound horse. (Also available in paste form).
Xylazine/ butorphanol	Tranquilizer/ pain reliever.	Colic, Tying up	Inter-muscular injection. (Note: Inject neck on tying-up horse.) Consult vet for appropriate dosage
Dexamethasone	Potent anti-inflammatory; counteracts allergic response.	Allergic reactions	Administer oral powder or intra-muscular injection. Consult with your vet for appropriate form/dosage.
Electrolytes	Helps restore electrolyte balance.	Heatstroke	Administer oral paste/powder as recommended on product label.
Snakebite kit	Provides items necessary for handling a snakebite.	Snakebite	Comes with complete instructions.
Two 6" lengths of garden hose	Allows horse to breathe when air passages swell shut.	Snakebite	Gently insert into nostrils if nose swells. Swelling will hold them in place; they will drop out when swelling recedes.

Barb Crabbe, DVM, Horse & Rider, May 1994