What do you need a stable pharmacy for and what belongs in it?

Every horse owner has experienced this situation. You come joyfully to the stable to enjoy the afternoon together with your horse on a ride and suddenly you see your horse standing lame in the pasture. When horses are sick, you should not wait too long and call the vet. Only he can reasonably assess the situation.

But often it is the minor injuries, such as scrapes and bites, which horses bring from the paddock and these you can take care of yourself with a well-stocked stable pharmacy. This should also be done to prevent worse secondary diseases. And that's exactly why every horse owner needs his own small stable pharmacy to be able to provide competent first aid.

Most horse owners have their stable pharmacy, well protected from moisture, in a box or in a cupboard. Ideally, it should always be in the same place, so that you don't have to start looking for it in the excitement.

But what exactly belongs in there now?

To make things a little clearer, we divide the content into three categories:

1. Bandage material
2. Medication
3. Aids

1. Bandage material

Bandages

Here there are different designs for the most diverse needs. The self-fixing bandage is very popular because it is very practical to use and usually stays in place. Bandages made of latex, on the other hand, are popular for injuries where moisture must not get through. Adhesive bandages are permeable, but for some injuries that is good. The nice thing about these bandages is that you can reuse them.

But beware! Bandages should never be applied directly to the wounds. For this purpose, please use sterile pads such as gauze compresses or gauze absorbent cotton. A fabric bandage makes more sense for hoof bandages of any kind, as it is much more durable and therefore does not break as quickly.

Armor tape and adhesive plaster tape also belong in the first aid kit. So you get everything well and safely fixed.

2. Medication

Disinfectant

There are various possibilities here. Lodine solution, soap and various wound sprays are quick helpers to banish bacteria from the wound.

Wound and healing ointments

Here you should have the right ointment in stock for both wet and dry wounds. Zinc ointment helps with wet wounds and panthenol with dry ones.

Alumina

If your horse has a swollen leg or a shot, clay is a good and natural first aid. It has a cooling and decongestant effect.

Heparin gel

Tensolvet or Compagel provide rapid improvement for bruises. Because the blood circulation is stimulated and the pain is relieved. In addition, there is a cooling effect on the affected bruise.

Colosan

Colosan is a colic remedy that can provide relief from mild flatulence by relieving cramps in the gastrointestinal tract. Here it is important to pay attention to the correct dosage. But beware. Colic can quickly become fatal for a horse. Here it is better to always consult the veterinarian first.

A small selection of homeopathic "emergency remedies":

• Arnica for sore muscles and injuries,
• Aconitum for circulatory problems,
• Traumeel for any blunt injuries, such as bruises, sprains and so on,
• Nux Vomica for colic signs.

3. Aids

Clinical thermometer

Tip: Best provided with a string so that it does not disappear when taking a temperature.

Disposable gloves

For a sterile treatment of the wounds. They protect your horse and you.

Bandage scissors

This must be stainless steel so that you can cleanly and hygienically cut the bandages.

Normal scissors

This is much better suited for all other things that need to be cut open.

Tweezers

Small foreign bodies, such as splinters, can be easily removed.

Tick pliers

With such pliers you get the small ticks well removed, without running the risk that the head of the tick stucks in the horse.

Disposable syringes

You can use them to dose and administer medications well or to perform small rinses.

Flashlight

To take a closer look at a wound in low light conditions, a flashlight can be very useful.

Disposable razor

In this way, you will be able to expose a wound a little bit if necessary, so that you can take care of it afterwards in the best possible way. The dirty hairs can cause infections in the wound.

Small towels

You can somehow never have enough of them at the stable.

Conclusion

With such a stable pharmacy you are already well prepared. There are also horse owners whose first-aid kit still contains upper lip brake, muzzle and stethoscope. But here we have to pass.

What we consider very important, however, and what really should not be missing, is a note with the most important contacts. Name and phone number of the owner and another person to contact in case of emergency. Equally important are the name and phone number of the vet and farrier. A list of current vaccination status can also be very helpful.

In the hope that our pets stay fit and healthy, however, you now have an overview of what a well-stocked stable pharmacy should contain, just in case.

Is there anything missing? Let us or the #royalriders know in the comments so we can all give our horses the best first aid in an emergency. Want to read more blog posts from us? No problem, here you can go from the stable pharmacy to other interesting topics. .