B.      Burns

·         Use water to extinguish flames and embers on a burning horse. 

·         A barefoot horse can walk quickly through embers without damaging their hoofs too much.  A hoof has up to 2/3 of an inch of dead keratin that has no moisture and doesn’t conduct heat well.  On the other hand, horse shoes will conduct heat through to the horse’s hoof.

·         Never use a synthetic blanket or fly mask to protect a horse from smoke and embers, these materials melt and cause more damage than if the horse had been uncovered.  Use only natural fibers such as 100% cotton or 100% wool.

·         Sylvadine is the best ointment to use on burns that are on areas that can be bandaged.  It is relatively expensive, $34 per pound.  It kills the bacteria that are common in burns.  This product will not cause proud flesh, but it will not inhibit it either.  Before bandaging, place a Telfa pad over the sylvadine so the bandage does not stick to the wound.

·         Use scarlet oil on areas that cannot be bandaged.  Do not use scarlet oil if stitches are required.  This product is fairly cheap and can be found at most feed stores. 

·         Proud flesh is caused when the basil membrane under the skin is compromised.  Some horses are more prone than others and drugs do not cause it to occur. 

·         Bacterial infections caused by sudamosis bacteria are extremely common on burn patients.  This bacterial lives on the skin normally and enters the burns.  This bacteria is tough to kill and develops resistance quickly.  Seek veterinary care immediately to obtain appropriate antibiotics. 

·         Do NOT use steroids, dexamethazone, betamethazone and hydrocortisones on burns.  These inhibit the immune system and allow the deadly sudamosis bacteria to grow. 

C.    Eyes

·         Keep saline solution on hand to flush debris out of the eye.  Contact lens solutions are perfectly fine substitutes for more expensive eye washes.  This product does expire, but it is ok to use anyway.

·         Neosporin can be used in the eye for one or two doses.  Use ophthalmic ointment for long term treatments.

·         Thermazene additives have the potential to cause allergic reactions but most saline solutions do not contain this additive.

·         Do not use a fly mask to protect their eyes as nearly all are made from synthetic materials that can melt and damage their sight.  

D.     Digestion

·         Nervousness usually causes a little diarrhea but horses usually hold enough water that it does not cause concern.

·         It is best to bring your own hay during an evacuation to keep the horses internal organisms in balance. 

·         Keep probiotics on hand to supplement the gut bacteria when under stress.  These are expensive and have a short shelf life.  The paste and powder forms are generally better stabilized than the liquid forms.  The shelf life is only 6 to 9 months so check the expiration dates frequently.

·         If possible, bring some of your own water to prevent dehydration and dry colic. 

·         Electrolytes and salts are good to give during weather changes.  Bulk salt from Costco works just as well.  Provide 7-8 tablespoons two to three times daily to encourage drinking during hot spells.

E.      Smoke Inhalation

·         Prevent smoke inhalation by evacuating early.  Smoke is dense and contains chemicals that cause long term respiratory distress. 

·         Use a dry cloth made of natural fibers to cover your horse’s nose.  A wet cloth will filter better, but if it gets hot, steam will burn your horse’s nose and respiratory tract. 

·         Don’t use the cloth if your horse objects.  A calm horse with an uncovered face is at less risk for injury than an excited horse with a covered face.  (Practice with a cloth when there is no emergency.)

·         Signs of smoke inhalation include coughing, respiratory distress which is marked by panting and fast rib cage movement.  The horse needs oxygen but because of the shape of their face, it is minimally helpful because masks are difficult to fit.  Keeping the horse calm and mellow is best. Call your veterinarian at the first opportunity.

·         The best treatment for lung damage is intravenous fluids, but this must be monitored by your veterinarian who will also be listening for fluid in the lungs as a sign of pneumonia. 

·         If the horse is not burned, your veterinarian may prescribe systemic steroids as they reduce inflammation. 

·         Provide plenty of fresh, clean water to thin the mucus containing particulates the horse will be coughing out. 

·         If the horse has prolonged coughing, contact your veterinarian.  It may need antibiotics.

·         A general rule of thumb is that the horse will need one to two weeks after the cough stops before it is exercised in order for its respiratory system to heal.  Some horses may need two to three months to cough out all the particulates, depending on their proximity to the fire and the amount of debris in the smoke.

F.       Other Medical Concerns

·         Do not use caustic cleansers such as hydrogen peroxide or oils such as scarlet oil on wounds that need to be stitched.  Instead use Vaseline which traps the dirt and is easy to clean.  Do not rinse with water because the sudamosis bacteria thrives in moist environments.  If you feel you must clean the wound, add Betadine or Novalsan to the water and let it sit for 5 to 10  minutes to disinfect the water. 

·         Butterfly stitches do not work on horses due to the toughness of their skin and the hair. 

·         It is most important to keep the wound clean and moist.

·         Do not use Novalsan on wounds with exposed nerves as it can cause damage.

·         Banamine and bute are from the same family of medications called NSAID’s.  Giving your horse both gives them a double dose and could cause kidney damage and ulcers.  Banamine is preferred to bute because it relieves colic.  The horse relaxes not because of the drug, but because the pain is relieved.  A typical dose is 1 cc per 100 pounds of horse.  Each tube of banamine is good for a couple of years.

·         Have a good relationship with your veterinarian.

G.    Horse First Aid Kit

·         Neosporin which can be used on topical wounds or briefly to treat an eye injury.

·         Betadine or Novalsan in both solution and soap form.  The solution can be used to disinfect and the soap can be used to wash.

·         Bandaging materials including Telfa pads, gauze, tape and vet wrap.  Don’t overlook substitutes such as women’s sanitary napkins and children’s diapers to cover oozing wounds.

·         Duct tape.

·         Scissors, a pocket knife or a utility tool.

·         Thermometer.

·         Banamine or bute.  Banamine is preferred.

·         Cheap stethoscope ($10) is sufficient. 

·         Saline solution to flush eyes and wounds.

·         Horse identification.  Microchipping is best but you can use a grease pen, spray paint, livestock stickers (they take up to 3 weeks to fall off).  It was also suggested you could use clippers to shave your telephone number or name on the horse.

For additional information visit www.deerspringsfiresafecouncil.com, “Large Animal Evacuation”.  You can download a 30 page booklet, “What do I do with my Horse in Fire, Flood, or Earthquake?”