Learn your horse’s normal temperature, pulse and breathing, keep a well-stocked first aid kit, know how to manage a wound and when to call the vet, and never medicate without advice.
Know what normal looks like
A resting adult horse has a temperature around 37 to 38 C, a heart rate of about 28 to 44 beats per minute, and 8 to 16 breaths per minute. Gums should be salmon pink and moist. Learn these on a healthy day so you can tell when something is wrong.
Keep a stocked kit
A good kit holds clean dressings, self-adhesive bandages, padding, sterile saline, antiseptic, a thermometer, blunt scissors, a tick remover and gloves. Keep one in the yard and a smaller one for travel, and check it is complete and in date. See the best horse first aid kits.
Manage a wound safely
For a minor wound, clean gently with saline, control bleeding with firm pressure, and cover if needed. Do not remove a large embedded object, and treat any deep wound, one near a joint, or heavy bleeding as an emergency. Photograph it for the vet if you can.
Recognise an emergency
Call the vet at once for colic signs, severe lameness, heavy bleeding, choke, a wound near a joint, difficulty breathing, or a horse that is down and cannot rise. When in doubt, phone for advice rather than waiting to see.
Do not self-medicate
Never give painkillers or other drugs without veterinary advice, because they can mask signs and delay diagnosis. Your job is to keep the horse safe and calm, gather information, and get professional help quickly.
