Basic first aid
What is basic first aid?
Basic knowledge of medications
Basic knowledge of wound care and wrapping
What is the average temperature for a healthy horse?
99 degrees F-101 degrees F
Why do properly fitting bandages matter?
Incorrectly applied bandages or bandages that are too tight may cause serious damage to the horse’s legs
Name the four types of bandages
1. Shipping bandages
2. Stable/Standing bandages
3. Exercise bandages
4. Treatment bandages
What is cold application?
Ice or cold application is useful for temporary pain relief and reduction of swelling in an acute injury
What does TPR stand for?
TPR: temperature, pulse, and respiration
What is the average pulse/heart rate for a healthy horse? How do you take the pulse?
28-44 beats per minute (average 36)
Use a stethoscope behind the left elbow or manually feel a pulse artery, counting the beats for 15 seconds and multiplying by four to get beats per minute (bpm).
Define a bandage bow
Bandage Bow: excessive acute pressure on tendons of the lower leg
What are shipping bandages?
Used to protect a horse's lower legs, heels, and coronary bands during trailering or transport.
What are poultice wraps?
Used when inflammation must be “drawn out” of an injured area
Sprains, localized swellings, bruises
DO NOT USE POULTICE ON OPEN SKIN/CUT/WOUND
Helps to draw out inflammation, minimize heat & swelling
List 6 equine vital signs
Gut sounds
Temperature
Pulse/heart rate
Respiration
Mucus membranes
Capillary refill time
What is the average respiration for a healthy horse?
8-16 breathes per minute (average 12)
How does a properly placed bandage fit?
A properly placed bandage will be firm (snug, not tight), with even tension all around and no wrinkles, the legs should be wrapped in pairs, wraps are CLOCKWISE on the right legs and COUNTER-CLOCKWISE on the left legs
What are standing bandages?
Used to provide compression and support for tendons and ligaments, and protection during stall rest, recovery, or travel
What are sweat wraps?
Used to apply localized heat to an injured area
Sweating increases blood flow to an injury site, goal to reduce inflammation
DO NOT LEAVE ON FOR MORE THAN 8-10 HOURS
Do not mix with other topical ointments or liniments, risk blistering or burning the skin
Start with clean legs, apply veterinarian recommend sweat, wrap plastic (Saran) wrap around the leg, apply standing bandage/wrap over top
What should you have in a basic first aid kit?
Gauze, Vet Wrap
Sterile non-stick 4x4” pad
Roll of thick absorbent cotton
Masking Tape, Duct Tape
Bandage Scissors
Saline Solution
Betadine or Chlorhexidine Solution
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Thermometer, Stethoscope
Isopropyl Alcohol
How do you check hydration and circulation in a horse?
Capillary Refill time (CRT). Normal = less than 2 seconds: test by pressing thumb against upper or lower gums in horse’s mouth, watch for time it takes for blood to return to the gums/return to normal color
Skin Pinch Test. Normal = skin flattens back into place in 1-2 seconds. Pinch skin on side of horse’s neck
How should tension be applied to any form of bandaging or wrapping?
Tension should be applied FRONT to BACK, tension is over the cannon bone and not the tendons and ligaments
What are exercise bandages?
Polo wraps or specialized circulation exercise bandages protect the lower legs from knocks, scrapes, and self-inflicted impact during riding, lunging, or training.
What are stack wraps?
Bandages entire limb
Front leg: forearm to coronary band
Hind leg: mid-gaskin to coronary band
Used to treat extensive limb swelling
Immobilizes joints in the limb (fetlock, knee, hock)
Cut open a hole at the back of the joint to prevent rubbing or sores
What are gut sounds in horses and how do you listen for them?
Normal sounds from the stomach or intestines: borborygmi
4 quadrants to listen to: upper, lower, left, and right. Listening for GI mobility, absence of guts sounds could be a problem, too many gut sounds could be a problem.
What do healthy mucus membranes look like? What causes irregular mucus membranes?
Normal = light pink in color, moist. Check color and texture of gums in horse’s mouth, lining of eyelids, inside nostrils
Very pale – possible blood loss, fever, other illness
Bright/dark pink – indicates toxicity or mild shock
Gray/blue – severe shock/severe illness
Yellow – associated w/ liver problems
Describe the process of putting on a standing wrap
Select the correct cotton (pillow wrap) size, 10"-18", start the wrap in the top 1/4" of the canon, wrap down, then wrap back up and fasten velcro, leave 1/2" of cotton showing outside the wrap
What are treatment bandages?
Equine leg and wound bandages protect injuries, manage lower-leg swelling, and support surgical sites.
What are spider/figure-8 wraps?
Used to hold thick wrap material over a joint in order to immobilize it. ex. over the knee or hawk