First Aid for Trail and Home

fistula which can cause considerable damage to the bone structure of the vertebrae and even kill the horse.
Keep loads off of withers with blisters rubs or swelling until the swelling has gone down and figure out what caused the problem in the first place. In other words do not place an illfitting saddle back on that horse.
If we discover a rub when we remove a saddle we usually pour cold water over the area or apply cold packs to reduce the heat associated with bruising. Then we apply an antiseptic salve. If swelling continues to the point of infection we administer penicillin immediately lance the lower edge of the infected area allow it to drain and get penicillin and Betadine right into the infection. This is usually a job for a vet but if you are on the trail and several days from being able to access a vet not treating the horse is not an option. The point here is do not take a saddle sore or rub on the withers lightly.
The Flu
Influenza is as common in horses as in humans and symptoms of equine influenza are similar to those of the human flu usually including a fever and clear leaky discharge from the nose. After several days the discharge may turn cloudy and a cough may develop. The horse will generally experience depression loss of appetite and may drink less. 
Treatment for horses with the flu is much the same as for humans excluding Grammas chicken noodle soup. This treatment generally consists of allowing the flu to run its course which usually takes about one to two weeks. Bute can be effective in reducing the aches and pains associated with the flu.
If your horse comes down with the flu on the trail it is important to take the horse to a sheltered area and allow it to rest. Even on remote trips we give a horse immediate time off if he has a leaky nose cough and depressed demeanour.
First Aid Kit for the Trail
We only carry one first aid kit on the trail with all of the supplies needed to treat horses and humans. Heres what we travel with during our overnight trips
1. Bandage wraps are used to secure gauze protect wounds and provide support. Stretchy and selfsticking wraps like CoFlex Powerflex and Vetrap are best but any offtheshelf wrap will do.
2. Sterile gauze in roll and section form in various sizes protects wounds and can be used to create pressure points.
3. Tape has a host of uses including securing bandages. I suggest packing a couple rolls of electrical tape. Duct tape does not stretch and can seriously inhibit circulation if you use it as a wound wrap.
4. Scissors are handy for cutting gauze and tape but many trail riders who have a sharp knife will pass on the scissors.
5. Hemostats are great for cleaning debris from wounds but again many trail riders travel with a Leatherman with pliers and would pass on a hemostat.
6. Disinfectants such as