Plan your horse first aid kit now!

While horse supplies run the gamut from grooming products to nutritional supplements there is an essential horse supply item that you shouldn’t be without while either exercising or riding your horse. You’ve probably guessed ~it’s  a horse first aid kit. Horse first aid kits are essential for all horse owners as they may be just the thing that could save a horse’s life.

Hollywood has often dramatised the situation where the rider shoots his horse because it is injured. Probably he hasn’t even thought about horse first aid kits and doesn’t have one with him. It’s pointless putting a horse down over a minor injury if it could be put out of its agony without pulling the trigger. And you’ll know from experience that no matter how well thought out or planned your riding outing might be, there are just some things that will simply go wrong. Accidents will happen! Always carrying horse first aid kits just makes sense, it’s not being paranoid, it is being prepared. Your preparation might help prevent your ride from turning into a Hollywood drama!

Ensure adequate storage for your horse first aid kit.

Your horse first aid kit should be stored in a container or bag that protects the kit from moisture and dirt as these will encourage the growth of bacteria. You’d just aggravate your horse’s infection if you used, for example, contaminated bandages. You’ll find that stores selling horse supplies will carry items such as a plastic zipper bag which would be a suitable container. Aside from carrying such items as tools, or grooming equipment, these are also good for storing and carrying your first aid items. Aside from keeping possible contaminants out, you could also choose a container that may well fit in your saddlebag.

Among the items that you should include in your horse first aid kit is a disinfectant as this is probably the most handy for most injuries to your horse. From minor scrapes and abrasions to wounds, disinfectants are essential cleansers. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions especially when using industrial grades as excessive use could dry your horse’s skin.

Prevention from bacteria.

Antiseptic scrubs and swabs become useful for disinfecting wounds in the absence of water. These are excellent substitutes for disinfectants as they clean wounds with the same efficiency, but without the need for water. Ointments or wound powders are also worthy additions to your horse first aid kit. These can prevent the entrance of new bacteria into the wound and speed up the healing process. However, be sure to use ointments, powders, and creams that have been approved by your vet.

A fly repellent applied or sprayed on the wound considerably lowers further infection or contamination risks. Wound dressings which come in sterile individual packs are good for covering wounds and promoting healing. Importantly, you should have a supply of bandages in your horse first aid kit, or at least two with a wide breadth. They are good for stabilising fractures, splints, and for securing pads over bleeding wounds. Speaking of bleeding, cotton wool and gauze are essential for preventing excess bleeding. And salts are good for soaking diseased hooves and feet

Further important items for your horse first aid kit.

Aside from these medications, there are some supplies which you can buy from equine stores and regular drug stores. Petroleum jellies are good for chafing, minor burns, and skin sores. A thermometer is a wise investment and should be added to your horse first aid kit.

Scissors, tweezers, and forceps are tools you shouldn’t forget adding to your horse first aid kit. Aside from being useful for cutting bandages, they are also perfect for removing splinters and stones that may be stuck in your horse’s hooves.

Lastly,  please remember that horse first aid kits are just for providing a horse help in emergencies before a vet arrives. These are just for preventive measures, meaning they can’t cure your horse. It is still important to always call a vet for assistance and treatment after applying any first aid.

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
3. Horse Care For Injuries And Wounds.

  These horse grooming tips will assist you in keeping your horse in top condition.

Grooming is a significant factor in taking care of your horse and something that will add materially to his well-being. Should your horse be stabled you can anticipate devoting around 30 minutes or more every time you clean and groom him when he’s in work.

If your horse is stabled and is fed significant amounts of manufactured feed, regular grooming is absolutely essential. It’s also necessary should your horse receive a full ration of artificial feed, but is put out each day in a protective rug.

Should your horse be located out in the paddock, day and night, all year round, grooming should only be confined to the elimination of superficial mud and dirt. In this instance vigorous grooming may remove the protecting waterproofing grease generated in the coat. Full grooming should be carried out just on a periodic basis.

Why grooming is important.

 Your horse’s body is going to generate large amounts of waste material after the eating of concentrate foodstuff. A great deal of this is disposed through the higher respiration level involved any time your horse is exercised and also through the normal process of excretion. However a substantial quantity is dispersed through the pores of the skin. It’s for this reason that it’s very important that you should keep your horse’s skin thoroughly clean through frequent and thorough cleaning if the pores and skin are to perform their proper function.

 Additionally, this grooming encourages blood circulation and muscle tone along with contributing to a feeling of well-being in your horse and developing a relaxed relationship between your horse and yourself.

 You’ll discover that grooming, rather than an over-all rub-over before saddling up, is best performed right after exercising when you horse will be warm and his skin pores are open. As well as cleansing your horse and stimulating his pores and skin and circulation, this kind of grooming session offers a very good opportunity to carry out a thorough inspection of your horse. You need to look thoroughly for scratches that may need attention and to also ensure that his eyes are thoroughly clean, and not runny.

 Now for picking out the feet.

 This is vital to the well-being of your horse and should be carried out prior to cleaning the body. Should you find it necessary to wash his feet, it’s important to make sure that the heels are nicely dried. If the heels are left wet, they can very easily become chapped and sore leaving them liable to contract some sort of infection.

 To pick out the front feet, run your hand firmly down the rear of your horse’s leg along the tendon to the fetlock. Then lift up the foot and standing close to the horse, pass your hand round the hoof and make use of the hoof-pick in the right hand to clean it. It’s a good idea to capture any dirt picked out for disposal.

 For the hind feet, once again stand close. Then work your hand from the inside down the back of the leg and pull forward from the fetlock. Holding the foot in your left hand, with your hight hand clean out from the rear to the front with the hoof-pick.

 Although working around your horse’s feet like this might appear a little daunting, you’ll soon find that after just a few times it becomes an easy and familiar task.

 Your grooming kit.

 Ideally, your grooming kit should consist of these items:

 Dandy brush: a brush with stiff bristles to remove mud and dirt.

Body brush: a soft brush with short bristles to brush out dust and scurf in tender places like the face.

Curry comb: metal, plastic rubber primarily used for cleaning the body brush.

Water brush: a brush with fine bristles used dampened for the tail and mane.

Sweat scraper: to remove excess sweat or water from the coat.

Mane comb: a wide-toothed steel comb for the tail and mane.

Hoof pick: for cleaning out the hooves.

 For convenience and safe keeping it is suggested that all these items be keep in an appropriate bag or other container.

Finally, you can obtain a great aid to effective horse grooming from Amazon by clicking HERE.

Related posts:

1. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
3. How To Overcome His Fear While Grooming Your Horse.

All horse lovers know that one of the greatest things about owning your own horse is getting to ride him. You wake in the morning, the sun’s shining, so you decide on a before breakfast ride. But there are occasions when you wake feeling really down and out. So what better way to lift your spirits than to saddle him up and go for a good, brisk ride out in the fresh and revitalising air!

You know that your horse is well-trained and fit as you’ve spent many, many pleasurable hours working with him and you know he understands what you want of him and how it feels to have you ride him. The bonding you’ve done with your horse is a great foundation to making your rides smooth and enjoyable. And you know that, for the most part, your horse really enjoys the freedom of getting out and being ridden.

However, when you’re going to ride your horse there are a number of things you’re going to need to do to make sure that he stays safe and healthy so that you can continue to ride him for a long time to come. Things that can also protect you, the rider.

Here are just three of many points to observe to ensure safe riding:

1. Be sure you never ask too much of your horse. You have to be confident that he is always comfortable in doing what you ask him to do. And you have ensure you’re comfortable with what he does and how he behaves. This point is vital, as if you’re not comfortable you’re going to find that both you and your horse might be forced to take unnessary chances.
2. How about your tack? Is it in good condition? When you’re riding your horse you’ll need to be confident that you are using only those things which are sanctioned for use with horses. Be sure you know that all your equipment is strong and isn’t going to break or fall apart. Make sure you’re able to fit his saddle and other necessary tack so that you’re sure they are done correctly and will not cause your horse any discomfort. After he’s fully tacked up, it’s a great idea to do a double-check.
3. A last thing that you need to do when you’re riding your horse to make sure that he stays safe is to always be careful where you are riding, and to carefully watch the terrain to make sure that you’re not doing anything that might be dangerous for both yourself and your horse. You must  ensure you aren’t leading your horse into riding conditions that could cause him harm.

Finally, keep in mind that horse riding is one of the most dangerous sports in which you can participate. Fine, enjoy that ride, but at all times be fully alert and conscious of any danger signs that may emanate from your horse’s demeanour and body actions.

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Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
3. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.