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Backcountry First Aid Kit

52 items73 pieces

Kit contents

Click any item name to see Dr. Thal's clinical guide, how-to video, and related skills on HSVG.

Exam Equipment

3 items
Stethoscope ×1 Midlevel Littmann recommended
Thermometer, Digital ×1 Keep extras
Headlight ×1 Rechargeable. Calendar reminder at front of container to recharge

Handling & Restraint

2 items
Halter and Lead ×1 Extra halter. Day ride: light rope halter combo
Cotton Lead Rope 3/4″-1″ ×1 10-12 ft min. Also for assisting cast horse

Hoof & Shoeing Equipment

8 items
Shoe Pullers (Pull-Offs) ×1 Can find full farrier sets cheap but OK for occasional use
Hoof File / Rasp ×1
Hoof Knife ×1 Keep sharp — have farrier maintain
Hoof Pick ×1 Critical at every tier
Clinch Cutter ×1
Clincher ×1
Farrier’s Driving Hammer ×1
Crease Nail Puller ×1

Basic Equipment

3 items
Multi-Tool / Knife with Pliers ×1 Covers wire cutting need. Every tier. Some have hoof pick
Bandage Scissors ×1 Quality pair — cheap ones dull fast
Collapsible Water Bucket ×1 15-20 qt, 10"+ diameter. Trailer and Backcountry only

Treatment Equipment

2 items
Tweezers / Forceps, Smooth Jaws ×1 Cactus spines, splinters, foreign bodies
EasyBoot or Equivalent ×1 Sized for your horse. Critical backcountry

Bandaging

5 items
Cohesive Bandage 4″ (Vetrap) ×2 Rolls. Min 4 for stable
Elastic Adhesive 3″ (Elastikon) ×1 Rolls. Poor adhesion in cold
Gauze Squares 4×4, Non-Sterile ×1 Packages (12-pack). Day ride: compress bleeder with Vetrap
Stretch Gauze Roll 4″ (Conform) ×1 Rolls
Non-Adhesive Dressing 3×4″ (Telfa) ×2 Pads. Light, pack flat

Disposable Supplies

9 items
Gloves, Latex Exam ×4 Pairs or count
Tongue Depressors ×2
Baby Diapers, Disposable ×2 Size 4-5. Hoof bandaging
Heavy Plastic Bags (Ziploc) ×2 Gallon + pint sizes. Can be container for Day Ride within leather bag
Plastic Containers for Mixing ×1 ~6 oz
Duct Tape ×1 Roll. Gorilla brand. Hoof bandages only
Epsom Salts ×1 Package. Needs bucket or collapsible container
Alcohol Wipes / Prep Pads ×4 For injection site prep. Count
Instant Cold Packs (disposable) ×2 For when no ice available

Syringes & Needles

5 items
Syringe, 60cc Catheter Tip ×2 Oral meds, wound flushing
Syringe, 35cc Slip/Luer Tip ×1 IM meds (penicillin)
Syringe, 12cc Slip/Luer Tip ×3 IM flunixin
Needles, 18 Gauge 1.5″ ×4
Needles, 20 Gauge 1.5″ ×4

Eye Treatment

2 items
Eye Wash, Saline ×1 Bottle. Syringe application preferred
Ophthalmic Ointment or Drops ⚕ Rx ×1 Rx — straight antibiotic only without vet guidance

Wound Cleaning & Antiseptics

4 items
Wound Lavage Bottle, Saline ×1 250ml. Pressurized or hand sprayer. Stable + Backcountry
Wound Wash, Saline ×1 Squeeze bottle — trail-friendly. Day ride: small multi-use (wound + eye flush)
Antiseptic Scrub (Chlorhexidine or Betadine) ×1 4 oz. Scrub, not solution
Povidone Iodine Solution (Betadine) ×1 4 oz. Dilute to tea color for wounds

Topical Wound & Skin Treatments

4 items
Triple Antibiotic Ointment ×1 Tube. OTC (Neosporin)
Fly Repellent Ointment ×1 Safe on/around open wounds (SWAT)
Wonder Dust ×1 Drying agent for chronic/proud flesh wounds. Lasts indefinitely
Hydrocortisone Cream 1% ×1 OTC. Girth galls, stings, allergic skin irritation

Hemostatic / Bleeding Control

1 item
Celox Hemostatic Gauze ×1 Celox preferred (no heat). For severe bleeding

Nutritional Supplements

1 item
Electrolytes, Paste or Powder ×1 Paste for travel. Powder for stable

Medications (OTC)

1 item
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg tabs ×1 Bottle. Stings, hives, allergic reactions

Prescription Medications ⚕ Rx required

2 items
NSAID for abdominal pain (e.g., Banamine) ⚕ Rx ×1 Rx — per vet's choice. Paste for trail
NSAID for musculoskeletal pain (e.g., Bute) ⚕ Rx ×1 Rx — per vet's choice

⚕️ Prescription items

The medications above require a valid prescription from your veterinarian. Download the Rx Request Form — it explains the clinical need for each medication category and lets your vet choose the right drug and dose for your specific horse.

How item links work: Each item name links to its HSVG supply record — Dr. Thal's clinical guide with when and how to use it, instructional videos, and related skills. Bookmark this page and use it as your kit inventory checklist. When you need to restock an item, click its "Buy" button to go directly to a vendor.