Injuries

Welcome to the first post on Cheap Horse Stuff! I'll discuss ways we can make our horsey dollars stretch farther while still doing the best we can for our four-hooved friends. Let's talk about what's cheap, what works without having to spend our whole paychecks on a tiny amount that'll last half a day, oh, and what's WORTH spending that extra few dollars to get the name brand or really good stuff.

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Triple Antibiotic Ointment
SWAT
Hydrocortisone cream

Horses are walking self-destruct machines. Many of us have a well-stocked first aid kit, and, among other things, we have a million varieties of first aid creams and ointments. Most of these are pretty expensive. Since a horse is pretty much guaranteed to slice himself up at least one day out of three, we go through a lot of those creams and ointments.

You know, after a while, I just started using Triple Antibiotic Ointment--you know, the stuff you get at the drug store. The generic is cheap, it's quite effective, it's easy to store and to use (unlike, say, a tub of Furazone--oh, and it's not carcinogenic either). Clean the wound with something (Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, Nolvasan) and slap the antibiotic ointment over the whole thing. If it doesn't need stitches (or other veterinary attention), it's fine!

I do still use SWAT on any injury that isn't covered by a bandage. Here in Florida, year-round, we need that bug repellent to keep the nasties out of open wounds. SWAT is gentle enough to be applied directly on wounds. (I also use it around eyes, to keep the flies and gnats away, if the horse won't be wearing a flymask.) SWAT is such nice stuff, and what a delightful scent.

If proud flesh is a concern (very moist wounds, wounds below the knee, etc) we horse people often use Wonder Dust. Wonder Dust is *such* a pain to apply; there's a lot of waste too. Did you know you can use hydrocortisone cream instead, and it's more effective? Yes indeed, and CHEAP too.

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Of course, there are injuries that require a vet. They might be serious wounds and need checking out, they might need stitches, the horse might be lame and need other attention over and above the visible injury. But as horse owners, we're all too familiar with the minor cuts and scrapes that every horse can acquire in day-to-day living.

It's easy to take GOOD care of these day-to-day injuries, without breaking the bank.

For more discussion of first aid kits, you can check out my article: The First Aid Kit.