1. Equine First Aid
Timothy McDermott DVM
Ag/NR Hocking Co.

2. First things first Do Not Get Injured
Any animal can act differently when injured or scared
Restraint? Other person ideally
Veterinarian Contact Information
Post in barn, stall, on phone.
Reliable Trailer
Two is better than one. What time available?
First Aid Kit
For barn and for travel
Practice First
Know TPR and normals, post in barn, on phone

3. Vital Signs: Temperature normal = 100F (99-100.5F)
Call if > 102
Heart Rate normal = beats per minute (bpm)
Call if > 50 bpm
Respiratory rate normal = 8-16 breaths per minute
Mucus membranes/Capillary refill time
Moist and pink, refill in < 2 seconds
Appetite and Manure production
Gut sounds if you feel confident
What is normal for your horse?
Practice first so you know your horse!

4. Horse Owner Survival: Emergency First Aid - YouTube

5. Problem List
Colic
Wounds.
Eyes
Lameness
Choke
Respiratory

6. Colic Not a disease, this is Abdominal Pain.
Take away the feed/water, try to keep them calm
Call the Vet, give them the Vital Signs
Heart rate, RR, Temp., MM/CRT, Gut sounds
Attitude, Stool production, prior history
Make a plan, ask before you give Banamine
Monitor closely for changes.
Walk your horse? Maybe.

7. Colic - Prevention Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Nutrition:
Pasture is best
Less pelleted hay and grain
Veterinary Care:
Internal parasite control
Dental care is important
Prior colic history?
Watch closely after changes
Changes in diet
Changes in exercise
Changes in stabling

8. Signs of Colic Pawing Looking at, kicking or biting the abdomen
Stretching out as if to urinate
Repeatedly lying down and getting up
Rolling
Sitting in a dog-like position or lying on the back
Not eating or drinking
Lack of bowel movements
Absent or reduced digestive sounds
Elevated respiration or heart rate
Sweating
Depression
Lip curling (Flehman response)
Credit to UMN Extension for this list

9. A word about Banamine NSAID Can mask signs
Affects Kidneys, Liver, GI tract
Muscle infections
Consult your Vet before you use it.
Time, dose, route records

10. Lacerations Still bleeding? Tetanus? Temperament of horse?
Hold pressure over wound until stops
Tetanus?
Needs to be up to date, may need immediate booster
Temperament of horse?
Near joint or tendon?

11. First Aid Kit: (Home and Travel) (Credit: Minnesota Extension)

12. Eye Wounds Call your Veterinarian I do not wait on eye wounds.
Stay with the horse to keep it from self traumatizing.
Indoors, away from bright lights

13. Lameness Hoof Abscess is most common cause.
Will horse let you check its feet?
Confine horse
Other common causes:
Founder
Tendon injuries
Fractures

14. A word about Bute
Inexpensive, very effective for pain and inflammation
COX inhibitor, NSAID
Renal and Gastrointestinal side effects
Also can interact with other drugs
Increased risk in very old or very young
Increased risk long course, high doses
Consult your Vet before you use it.
Record dose, time and route
For barn and for travel

15. Choke Humans –trachea, Horses – Esophagus
Eat too fast
Older horses, poor teeth
Pelleted feed expands too fast
DX: anxious, trying to swallow, gagging, feed/H20 from nose
Get the horse in a stall, try to both be calm, Call the Vet.
Keep from food and water, keep head down until Vet arrives
May predispose to future chokes if stricture.

16. Respiratory Upper vs Lower airway Gradual onset vs. Acute
Wheezing, Coughing, Gasping
Where did this occur?
Indoors – allergic, heaves
Outdoors – trauma, allergic

17. Links to the information presented will be added to the website
“Talking Hocking”
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