Arizona Holistic Equine Emergency Kit
DR. DEBRA’S TOP 10 RECOMMENDATIONS
Are you prepared for the desert both for you and your horse? What do you pack on your saddle that will be
helpful when an emergency happens? Emergencies are always unplanned but you can plan for them! If you
have lived in Arizona for very long and do any amount of trail riding, you soon realize it is a different world
here than most of the rest of the country. There are different hazards here, both in the elements and in
nature.
A colic situation can go from mild to lethal quickly. Temperature and barometric pressure shifts are more
extreme here. As much as I love the desert it tends to be a harsh environment and not one most horses would
choose to live in naturally. Therefore some of the recommendations for an emergency kit for either your trail
bag or trailer are different than ones for most of the rest of the country.
Most of the time you will not need any of this but it only takes one emergency to realize how important it is to
be prepared
Remember also to keep these items in a cool place when not in use. Most of these can be in re-sealable plastic
bags inside a bucket with a tight lid and can easily go from house to trailer to saddle bag so you can take all or
part of it with you depending on the length of the trail and whether going alone or in a group.
Rescue Remedy – for horse and human! Rescue Remedy
is good for any trauma/shock and the anxiety it brings.
Also good for horses who are nervous in a situation such
as trailering, strange horses, new experiences. Liquid can be given in food, diluted and given directly in the
mouth, diluted and misted topically. There are also lozenges which may be easier to pack and good for the
human to suck on as the sucking motion adds to the calming affect.
Arnica montana – homeopathic formula for bruising/trauma/shock, can use from
30C to 1M potencies but anything over 30C is usually only from a health care
provider. The lower potency has to be given more frequently. Good for horse and
human. Horses get 12 pellets per dose preferably either eaten out of your hand or
diluted in a small amount of water and squirted directly into the mouth. Best not
given in food. Also good for the banged up rider!
Leatherman Tool – good for all that can stick in the horse such as Cholla, prickly
pear, barrel cactus thorns. Also for wire issues and minor tack repairs on the fly.
(Also handy if dogs are along as they seem to get into cholla a lot)
Redmond Clay – can be used internally in case of possible toxin ingestion, mild
ulcers, diarrhea and externally as a poultice or wound packing. It is harmless
unless you give the horse a lot for a long time and then it has potential to block
absorption of nutrients. Can start with 1 tablespoon twice a day for digestive
upset. Externally mix it with water to form a paste.
Banamine – good for colic and choke as well as injuries and one dose of Banamine is always okay to give even
if you’re not certain as to what is going on, available as an injectable or paste by prescription only. The paste
takes longer, usually 45 minutes but good if not
comfortable giving injections as an emergency will not be
the time to get comfortable with it. (Note: Though this is
‘conventional‘ medicine, it is still part of a holistic
approach. Holistic veterinary care is a mindset not a medicine. ‘Natural’ medicines can be used in a nonholistic approach and ‘conventional’ medicines can be used in a holistic approach.)
Yarrow - an herb that helps stop bleeding of lacerations. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and accelerates
wound healing with reduced formation of scar tissue. Use in ground form. Dust wound liberally. Can be used
with or without a bandage.
Nutribiotic GSE- grapefruit seed extract; can be used for wounds and as an internal
antiseptic – 30 drops per 16 oz of water for wounds can be used in a spray bottle or as a
wet compress. 1cc or 15 drops per 110# put in the feed for respiratory infection or
diarrhea. (Measures given are for the 33% solution)
Garden Hose- in case of rattlesnake bite on the head/nose, use
6” long piece of hose to place in each nostril before breathing is
cut off as horses cannot breathe through their mouths. A good
use for an old hose.
Horse Quencher™ – added to water it will not only supply electrolytes but
it will cause a horse to drink! I have put this to the test and it works!!
Duct Tape/Gorilla Tape- no kit of any kind would be complete without one of
these. Good for taping on bandages, repairing tack in an emergency, taping in
hose pieces
Other items to have:
Hoof pick, thermometer, stethoscope, scissors, polo wraps, sanitary pads or diapers for covering wounds or
packing feet with clay, hydrogen peroxide to initially flush wounds (best diluted with water 50/50), bulb
syringe for flushing, Catron IV is the best fly repellant for wounds.
Please feel free to contact us with questions or further information. You can email us at
info@HealingHandsEquine.com.
***This list does not substitute for proper veterinary care but is to be used when care is not available or until
care can be sought. Any questions about individual conditions should be directed to your veterinarian.