What belongs in a yard first-aid kit for horses?

A yard first-aid kit should mainly contain bandaging material, a thermometer, products for cleaning wounds, bandage scissors, disposable gloves and the phone numbers of your vet and the emergency vet service. This is what is listed, for example, in a checklist by Colorado State University. It is best to agree the exact contents with your vet.

In Germany you are allowed to keep a stock of non-prescription products that are licensed for use in horses. Vets are not allowed to dispense prescription-only medicines for stockpiling. According to the Animal Hospital of the University of Zurich, the normal body temperature of a horse is 37.0–38.0 °C.

By Julia Lühr, Ahrens Reitsport in Tangstedt · Updated 18 October 2026

A yard first-aid kit is the basic medical equipment you use to give your horse initial emergency care until the vet arrives. It is usually a box or cupboard that closes securely. It is best to put the contents together with your vet. The following overview is based on a checklist from Colorado State University and a paper from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.

Which bandaging materials belong in the yard first-aid kit?

Bandaging material is the most important part, because wounds often need to be covered immediately.

sterile dressings and non-adherent wound pads
gauze bandages and padding cotton wool
self-adhesive elastic bandages
bandages or pads for a leg bandage
strong adhesive tape

Which equipment should I have ready to hand?

a thermometer
a stethoscope, if you know how to use it
a tape measure to estimate weight
bandage scissors and disposable gloves
a torch with batteries
large syringes for flushing wounds

Which products for wound care are useful?

The checklist from Colorado State University mentions among other things an antiseptic wash solution, saline solution for flushing and a shallow bucket or a hoof boot. Only use medicines after consulting your vet.

Which medicines am I allowed to keep in stock in Germany?

You are allowed to keep non-prescription medicines that are licensed for use in horses. These include various disinfectants. Follow the package leaflet and leave any use for other purposes to your vet. Prescription-only medicines may not be supplied for stockpiling. The vet only supplies the amount that is probably needed for a specific treatment.

How do I take my horse’s temperature?

A horse’s temperature is taken rectally. According to the Animal Hospital of the University of Zurich, the normal body temperature is 37.0–38.0 °C. Above 38.4 °C it is referred to as a fever, from 39.0 °C as a high fever. A fever should always be checked by a vet.

Category	Temperature
normal	37.0–38.0 °C
fever	over 38.4 °C
high fever	from 39.0 °C

What else belongs in the kit apart from materials?

Put the phone numbers of your regular vet and the veterinary emergency service somewhere clearly visible in the yard first-aid kit. Check expiry dates regularly and replace anything you have used. In cases of severe bleeding or serious injuries call the vet immediately, because every minute counts.