I want to put together a little first aid kit to keep in my tack trunk. What are some items and products you suggest to keep stocked?
Off the top of my head: thermometer, scissors, betadine, triple antibiotic ointment, icthamol, non-steroid eye ointment, saline, diapers, vet wrap, duct tape, bandages and quilts, gauze pads, gauze rolls, banamine, bute, SMZs.
I wouldn’t keep SMZs, bute, or banamine specifically in your tack trunk unless it’s in a climate controlled tack room. Good way to waste your money if you are in an area that experiences freezing or above 85F temps.
I also don’t keep SMZs on hand anymore knowing what we know about antibiotic resistance. Unless your horse is living in a field where sharp pointy objects regularly impale him or don’t have consistent access to a vet, there are very few times a horse owner should be starting SMZs prophylactically.
Things I’m never without: gauze 4x4s, chlorohexidine, triple antibiotic ointment, thermometer, stethoscope, basic bandage material (a few rolls of vet wrap and at least one roll of gamgee at minimum, I also keep a good bit of roll gauze and ekon on hand), some syringes and needles, a set of standing bandages, nitrile gloves, and since I have TBs, basic abscess supplies (diapers, epsom salts, duct tape, ichthammol, animalintex pads).
I make sure to keep, at very minimum, bute, banamine, a tube of e-lytes, and a tube of probiotics in the house.
Sure, I have tons of other first aid stuff in my barn purchased over the years, but the things listed above are what I use the most and feel like I’m living dangerously without.
I don’t regularly stock up on too much else because it frequently expires before I can use it, even with my accident prone horses. And thanks to 24 hr Walmarts, you can access a lot of less common first aid supplies any time of day or night.
This stuff is GREAT for traumatic bleeding – I open the capsules and spread on the wound.
There are many websites that sell the preparation, and I believe you can get the powder in a bottle or package, which may be easier to handle.
Read the reviews on this site: http://www.activeherb.com/baiyao/
Vet wrap and more Vet Wrap. If I am traveling, I keep needles, syringes, Banamine, Dormosedan, 1 dose of oral antibiotic, dexamethasone and antibiotic eye ointment (no steroid) in my emergency box. I try to make a mental note of every vet hospital between home and my destination, just in case. My USRider information also comes along with me.
I keep a kitchen timer in a ziplock bag in my vet kit. I use it to time heartrate count and also how long a thermomenter has been in place. I find it easier than trying to find a watch with a sweep hand these days. I also have a refrigerator magnet business card from a vet clinic (one in another state lol) that has the normal heart rate, pulse and temperature of horses (and dogs and cats) listed on it. I find that helpful not only for my forgetful self but also for the less educated young folk who may be coming with me to various horse activities. A box of bandaids for humans in the collection is also useful.
Vet wrap, standing wraps, Schreiner’s Solution, Underwood’s, self clinging gauze, Betadine, nonstick gauze pads, elasticon Swat ointment, thermometer. In the communal barn fridge we have banamine, Bute and previcox.
Tack trunk in the barn or travelling tack trunk?
I have a grooming tote with various ointments etc in the barn. I keep gauze/cotton in a securely fastened plastic bin. Mice like to nest in that stuff.
Bandages are in a cabinet. You can’t have too much vetwrap.
Thermometer is in the drawer along with a pad of paper and a few pencils (pens freeze in winter).
If it’s a travelling tack trunk you need to be careful about where you go and what medications are in there, especially if you are competing.
I also have a first aid kit in my truck glove compartment. I have no idea what is in there.
[QUOTE=outerbanks77;8808092]
elasticon [/QUOTE]
^^^THIS! Elastikon is hands down THE best first aid tape. All other imitators fall short. 
Elastikon adheres to hair and will stay on even if the horse gets caught out in the rain.
