First Aid for Trail and Home, Part 1 Wounds and Their Treatment

Understanding first aid for horses is a lifelong learning experience born of necessity. Injury and illness are unpleasant realities for horse owners and trail riders and although seeking the advice of a veterinarian should always be your first choice when dealing with a serious medical condition if it happens on a trail ride you must be able to respond appropriately until the horse can be seen by a vet.
I do not pretend to be a vet but years of hauling remote riding and keeping large numbers of horses combined with a background in zoology have afforded me some insight into equine first aid. When looking back at the injuries and sicknesses that have occurred during my 40 years of trail adventures from stone bruises and sprains to cuts colic and equine anemia one might be inclined to ask Why go out there if these things could happen? The reality is that injury and illness can just as easily occur at home and a basic understanding of how to treat these maladies is absolutely essential for every horse owner.

Assess the Situation
When you are faced with a first aid situation begin with a quick assessment of the horse for broken bones injury to the head or eyes and wounds. Assessing an injury mostly comes down to common sense. If the horse is relatively calm first minimize movement by tying the horse up before continuing with treatment. If the horse is very excited moving around in a confined space or there are other horses or debris such as trees brush or wire in the area keep your own safety foremost in mind. Do not place yourself in a dangerous situation by barging in and trying to manhandle a distressed horse. Make the area safer to work in by removing any entanglements and waiting for the horse to calm down.
Over the years there have been a few occasions when a serious injury and an excited horse have required a scotch hobble or laying the horse down with a rope before treatment was possible. For trail riders who go on remote trips or travel the back country often its a good idea to learn a userfriendly way to lay a horse down with a rope.
Many of us are attached to our horses. Witnessing your companion in distress can cause us excitement and upset equal to or greater than that of the horse which is exactly what your horse does not need. I have a rule No matter what happens on the trail stay calm. The horse needs you to make clear sensible decisions and you need to be in the right state of mind to do so. If you fly off the handle or fall to the ground in a wave of tears you will further agitate your horse
Vital Signs
It is very important to know how to take your horses vital signs as this can help you evaluate the horses level of distress. It is also helpful to be able to relay your horses