Trails West Trailers > Blog > Blog > What Goes in the First Aid Kit in a Horse Trailer? — The Healthy Hauling Series Part 6

What Goes in the First Aid Kit in a Horse Trailer? — The Healthy Hauling Series Part 6

What Goes in the First Aid Kit in a Horse Trailer? — The Healthy Hauling Series Part 6

 

If you’ve purchased a pre-made kit, double-check that it includes these items:

  • A card with your vet and farrier’s phone numbers
  • Flashlight with working batteries
  • Scissors
  • A few rolls of 3M Vetwrap. This self-adhesive gauze product is a treasure in first aid situations. Only use it over bandages or gauze pads.
  • Four 10 cc. syringes without needles, and a pack of needles if your horse is on regular injections
  • 4×4″ Gauze pads
  • Stethoscope (learn how to use it here)
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers
  • Rubber or latex gloves
  • A few clean dishtowels
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antiseptic — most equestrians prefer Betadine, but it can leave red stains on your horse’s white markings.
  • Fura-Zone wound dressing
  • A few tablets of “bute”
  • And finally, a few disposable diapers. These are for wrapping an injured hoof or staunching blood flow from a bleeding wound. [Not to be worn by the terrified owner after their horse suffers an injury. Though we wouldn’t blame you for thinking about it.]

What about prescription medications? You’ll need to talk to your vet about those first.

Should I Put my Horse’s Prescriptions in a First Aid Kit in the Horse Trailer?

Your horse’s prescription medications are expensive and delicate. They can be affected by temperature and light, and may have an expiration date. If a bottle of medicine stays in the refrigerator at the barn, don’t put it in the first aid kit in your horse trailer. Read the bottle carefully if you’re not sure, or call your vet.

Other Emergency Items for Your Horse Trailer

Emergency Roadside Kits

Emergency Roadside Kits are essential. If you have an accident or need to pull over to the side of the road for an emergency in the dark, these kits make your vehicle more evident to other drivers and usually include a flashlight. For bigger rigs — those that require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and electronic log devices (ELD) — the driver is responsible for setting up three triangle reflectors during an emergency roadside situation.

Easyboots   

Easyboots are nice to have around in emergencies too. They’re designed to replace lost shoes out on the trail or protect barefoot horses on rocky terrain. But they can be handy for sole injuries in a pinch, and they’re more durable than disposable diapers. Just be sure the boot you have fits your horse.

Rain Gear & Bad Weather Gear

Emergencies always seem to happen in the worst weather! Add a few rain ponchos and a bag of rock salt to your packing list if you’re hauling through inclement weather.

Whether your goal this weekend is lightning fast times around the barrels, a brilliant score in the dressage ring or a relaxing trail ride with friends, the team at Trails West Trailers knows you’ll be using that new horse trailer! We hope you’ve enjoyed our discussion of first aid kits in horse trailers. Contact us if you need to know more about horse trailers, livestock trailers, or horse trailers with living quarters.