First Aid Kit For The Barn

Just as you keep a first aid kit in the house, a well-stocked kit should be placed in the barn as well. Place the contents in a large plastic fishing tackle box as sold in most discount stores. Or you can improve and use any other large container as long as it is sealable. You need a tight seal so that dust and moisture can be kept out of the kit. For safety reasons, be sure to label it with tape in a red cross configuration. Keep it in an elevated location that is secure from children and/or any animal intruders. The following list is a suggestion of items to keep in your first aid kit for the barn:

• Plastic digital rectal thermometer with an 18″ string tied through the hole in the end (normal temp. is 100 +/- 1° and for foals the normal temp. is 101 +/- 1°).
• Bandage scissors or plastic protective bandage knife.
• Stethoscope (normal heart rate is 40 +/- 6 beats per minute – a count of one beat sounds like lub-dub and normal respiration is 16 per minute).
• Vetrap 3 rolls.
• Gauze squares. We offer Gauze Sponges 4″ x 4″ x 12 Ply for your convenience.
• Vaseline (for oozing below wounds).
• Antiseptic wound ointment spray. We recommend Fungisan spray.
• Hydrogen Peroxide.
• Betadine Scrub.
• Betadine Liquid.
• Biocaine First Aid Lotion (with Lidocaine to relieve pain).
• Latex gloves.

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• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• Saline solution (to make your own mix one tsp. salt in one pint sterile water).
• Sterile cotton (minimum of 1 roll).
• Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
• Forceps and/or tweezers.
• Epsom Salts (may be used for food abscesses – add to warm water until it no longer easily dissolves).
• Disposable diaper or sanitary napkins.
• Equine Hoof Pick.
• Hoof Knife.
• Farriers rasp.
• Duct tape.
• Bute Paste or Banamine Paste. Banamine Paste is only available through a prescription. It alleviates musculoskeletal-related pain.
• Miscellaneous medications and ointments previously prescribed by your veterinarian. Before using be sure to consult with your vet. Make absolutely sure that you know how to properly use them and that they have not passed any expiration date for usage.