E195
Emergency Treatments
and First Aid Kit

allergic reaction | bleeding | fractures | newborn foals that are not breathing | unconsciousness (CPR) | puncture wounds

Introduction: The following is list of items that every horse owner should have on hand in case of an emergency. All of these items are sold over the counter and therefore should be readily available to every horse owner. There are additional items that can be added to this list that can only be obtained from a local veterinarian. These items may include a single dose of Banamine, antibiotic eye ointment, and some type of oral or injectable antibiotic. The most important item that goes along with any first aid kit is knowledge. It is critical that every horse owner know when and how to use each of the following items. More harm can be done if something is used improperly or under the wrong circumstances. Utilize the information found in section B of this manual and the discussion found on the following pages for additional help.

First Aid Kit:

Bandage material (sterile pads, cotton rolls, gauze, vet wrap, ace bandage)
Phenylbutazone (bute)
Antiseptic solution (betadine and alcohol on gauze pads in sealed container)
Antiseptic ointment (Nolvasan ointment)
Scissors or knife
Hemostat
Stethoscope
Thermometer
Easy boot
Duct tape
Hoof pick
Leatherman-type tool
Syringe cases or sections of plastic hose
Tongue depressor
Latex gloves
Veterinarian’s phone number and a cell phone

The following are general suggestions that can be utilized in some of the most common emergency situations:

  1. Remain calm and keep the horse as still and quiet as possible. Additional movement and stress often will make the situation more serious.

  2. Determine if professional help is needed: If the horse is colicking, will not bear weight on a limb, has difficulty breathing, has not passed any manure in past 12-14 hours, has severe diarrhea, is in severe pain, or has a severe laceration, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately. If there is only one person available to handle the emergency, stabilize the horse and then call the veterinarian.
  1. Allergic Reaction
  1. Clinical signs: Swelling around eyes and nose, hives, and difficulty breathing. These reactions often occur following vaccination or drug injections.
  2. Treatment:
  1. EPINEPHRINE (1:1000) given at a dose of 1 mL per 100 lbs. of body weight, IM. If symptoms continue to get worse, this dose can be repeated one hour after the first dose. See page H205 for details on
    epinephrine.
  • In severe cases, epinephrine can be given IV using one quarter of the above dose. If given IV, administer slowly.
  1. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - Choose ONE of the following: Banamine, Dexamethasone or as a last choice, Re-covr. These are given IM at the recommended doses as long as symptoms persist. (See the anti-inflammatory section of the manual for doses.)
  1. Bleeding (severe)  
    Bleeding can be slowed by utilizing many different methods:
  1. Apply direct pressure using clean towels, bandage material, and some type of tape or wrap. These dressings, once soaked with blood, should not be removed, but should be left on and additional layers placed over the old ones.
  2. Keep the animal calm and confined.
  3. If the bleeding on a limb is extremely severe, a tourniquet may be applied above the injury. Caution should be taken to ensure that the tourniquet is not left on for long periods of time.

* See page B980 for suggestions on wound management.

  1. Fractures:
    If a fracture is suspected, DO NOT MOVE the horse. If the horse must be transported, stabilize the injured area as well as possible. This may require padding and splints to prevent extreme movement in the injured area.

  2. Newborn foals that are not breathing:
    To stimulate respirations:
  1. Place a piece of straw or hay into a nostril, vigorously bringing it in and out, along with rubbing the roof of the foal’s mouth.
  2. Rub the body briskly.
  3. Inject 1 mL of Dopram intravenously or under the base of the tongue in an area with a lot of vessels.
  4. Utilize an "artificial resuscitator," or hold foal’s mouth closed and blow into one nostril while blocking off the other.
  5. It is NOT recommended to swing the animal in the air or hang it upside down. Swinging actually makes it harder for the foal to breathe.
  1. Unconsciousness (CPR):
  1. Clinical signs: Recumbent (lying down), cold, pale gums, possibly not breathing. Injuries may be evident if the cause of unconsciousness is a traumatic event.
  2. Treatment: If a foal or adult is found to be unconscious, find out if the horse is breathing and has a heart beat. Artificial respiration and heart massage (i.e. CPR) must be initiated immediately if the horse has no pulse and/or has stopped breathing. A horse only breathes through the nose, NOT the mouth.

To stimulate breathing:

  1. Remove any obstruction to the upper airway. This often involves removing any mucous or debris from the nostrils.
  2. Administer mouth to nose artificial respiration. Blow air into the animal’s nose, then pause to observe if there is movement in the chest as the lungs fill with air. In a foal it is possible to see the chest rise. In an adult, the chest is often too large and the amount of air that is forced in is not enough to move the chest significantly. Care should be taken not to over inflate the lungs of a foal. The typical foal can usually handle the amount of air given from the average adult. About 15 breaths per minute should be given.

To stimulate the heart (heart massage):

  1. The foal or adult should be placed with the right side down, and heart massages (compression) should be performed. This is accomplished by firmly pressing with the palm of the hand on the chest of the horse. The location for this is right behind the elbow on the left side of the body. Because of the size of the animal, compressions in an adult horse are often difficult to administer. These compressions should be given repeatedly at the rate of 50-120 per minute for foals (depending on the age) or 30-40 per minute in an adult horse.

If both breathing and heart have stopped:
  1. Apply fifteen heart massages (compressions), followed by two artificial respirations. Continue this pattern of fifteen heart massages and two breaths until the heart begins to beat and the horse breathes on its own.

  1. Puncture Wounds:
    Any puncture wounds where the nail or object is still in the horse, should be left untouched. This will allow the veterinarian to adequately evaluate the exact location and depth of the injury. The only exception to this rule is if the nail or foreign object is causing additional injury.