Equi-First Aid Maine

11/30/2023

I’m not sure I could cut into that!!! What is your go to treat for you, or your horse?

I’ll go first!
Me: an Affagio (expresso shot poured over ice cream with caramel drizzle)

Horses: peppermints in the cellophane

How Cool Is This Cake...

11/29/2023

The body is a fascinating teacher. In the courses we cover body scoring. (Not to this detail)

11/26/2023

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XvrwXXjRCMcub496/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Great information,

Compared to other animal species, the equine stomach is small occupying only 8% of the entire tract.

However the dog is 60% and the cow is 70%.

What does this mean?

That the horse's digestive system has evolved to ingest small amounts of food continuously. The dog, however, as originally a predatory animal, makes bulky and more punctual meals.

The cow is a herbivorous animal like the horse, but its stomach is compartmentalized to process rumen and its stomach works as if it were the horse's colon.

If you notice, the horse's large intestine has a great capacity, precisely to ferment all the fiber it ingests.

Small continuous servings instead of two or three copious. This latest form of feeding has been introduced to meet our needs, not those of equines.

11/24/2023

Preventing and healing after the fact of the hard knocks is key to being with horses!!!
Black Friday sales are all over the diffère modalities I use. Please check them out!

https://linktr.ee/blazingstarstables

11/20/2023

11/15/2023

What’s you’re hack for winter prep??

My best one was getting a Ramm watering post….. No heating element, or hoses in winter! (I also no longer forget that the hose is on!)

11/13/2023

Ho Ho Ho!!!! What an awesome deal on instructor training!!!!😱😱😱🤯

11/10/2023

Booth 2905!!!! Come on down! At The Equine Affaire

11/08/2023

Wow.

11/06/2023

11/06/2023

Equi-First Aid showing us how to make & use a polo wrap donut

11/05/2023

Thank you to the Maine Draft Horse and Mule club!!! Having a demo afternoon!

10/30/2023

We’ve received several questions regarding blanketing horses in cold climates. A healthy horse will continue to develop a natural winter coat until December 22 (Winter Solstice), as the days become shorter and temperatures become colder. Horses begin to lose their winter coat (and start forming their summer coat) as the days become longer (starting December 23) and temperatures start to warm (slowly). Blanketing before December 22 will decrease a horse's natural winter coat. The horse’s hair coat is an excellent insulator and works by trapping and warming air. A healthy horse with a thick, dry and clean hair coat can retain enough heat and be comfortable outside in cold climates.

Remember though that donkey/mule are different, not wanting to be wet usually!

10/25/2023

Red Maple….

Dr. Parks has been managing a group of horses who unfortunately munched on wilted red maple leaves from a down tree and wanted to remind everyone of the danger of red maple toxicity.

Eating the bark and leaves can cause severe damage to the red blood cells, resulting in life threatening anemia and kidney damage. We can give medications to reduce uptake from the GI tract if we see the horse early and IV fluids once horses are showing signs of toxicity.

Know what these leaves look like and contact your vet immediately if you think your horse has ingested any!

10/22/2023

Congratulations to those that took the Safe Trailering!!!!

10/18/2023

Barn First Aid Bag? Trailer First Aid Bag? Trail Ride First Aid Bag??? The possibilities are endless!!!

Stock with your favorite go to!

Have this stocked to go on a trail, in the trailer, truck, or main isle for a handy transportable fundamental kit. (May even be great at the kid sporting events!) This drawstring bag is here to become a daily go-to choice that is both stylish and practical. All your ideas are printed in full color a...

10/16/2023

Classes coming up! Want to host? You can!!!

10/05/2023

Prepped for when you have to leave includes a feed chart with pics… so that the “staff” can’t be influenced by the horses ever saying they didn’t get their share! (The minis are so cute, and always beg for more!!)

09/26/2023

Who would like to host a class?

09/26/2023

Instructor training this November in Maine! Still a couple spaces left!!!

09/17/2023

🐴 Attention Farm Sitters! 🐴

Unlock the Power of Equine First Aid Certification for Your Farm Sitting Business!

Are you a dedicated farm sitter looking to enhance your skills and boost your credibility? Look no further! Our Equine First Aid Certification Course is tailored just for you.

Why choose us?
✅ Specialized Training: Learn essential equine first aid techniques tailored to horses, equipping you to handle emergencies with confidence.

✅ Safety Assurance: Provide a safe and secure environment for the horses you care for, earning the trust of farm owners and clients.

✅ Competitive Edge: Stand out in the farm sitting industry with a valuable certification that demonstrates your commitment to horse welfare.

✅ Peace of Mind: Be prepared to handle injuries, illnesses, and unexpected situations, ensuring the well-being of the horses in your care.

✅ Client Trust: Gain the trust of horse owners who prioritize the safety and health of their beloved animals.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your farm sitting business. Invest in your skills and join our Equine First Aid Certification Course today!

📅 Course Dates: see events page
📍 Location: see events page
💼 Limited Slots Available! Reserve Yours Now!

For inquiries and registration, contact us at https://www.blazingstarstables.com/equi-first-aid-maine

Become the go-to farm sitter with the knowledge and skills to protect and care for horses in any situation. Your success is our priority! 🌟

Equine First Aid training for horse owners and lovers!

09/03/2023

The things they get into😱🤦‍♀️🫣 having the course knowledge, and practice when it isn’t an emergency helps to keep your head about you when you need it!!!

09/02/2023

We cover this in our classes!!! Next one coming up on September 16/17

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HORSE IS CHOKING?

Choke in horses can look alarming, especially if you’ve never seen it before. When a wad of poorly chewed feed gets stuck in a horse’s esophagus, the muscles may spasm and clamp it in place, causing him to cough, gag and produce prodigious amounts of drool and nasal discharge.

Unlike choking in people, choke in horses doesn’t interfere with the ability to breathe, so it does not pose an immediate threat to life. However, it the episode doesn't subside on its own within a few minutes, you’ll want to treat it as an emergency and call your veterinarian immediately!

What treatment is necessary?
In order to clear the obstruction, a a veterinarian must administer sedatives or muscle relaxants to loosen contractions of the esophagus. Water or other lubricants may then be given by nasogastric tube to flush the material out of place (read --> NOT a home remedy). When the obstruction is cleared, your horse doctor will decide whether to administer antibiotics to prevent infection of the throat or lungs, and they may also prescribe a diet of wet mashes for a few days to give the swollen esophagus time to heal.

To read more on what to do for a horse with choke, courtesy of AAEP Media Partner Equus Magazine, visit https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/response-choke-53083
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08/31/2023

All applicants must have the following before being considered by the Board of Advisors for the Equi-Health Canada/Equi-First Aid USA EFAI training:
1. Must be over the age of 18 and a high school graduate &/or acceptable level of experience and education. Teens aged 14-17 may be considered, however they would carry the title of Junior Instructor and would be required to co-teach with a senior instructor until they are 18 years of age. This is partly for insurance reasons, but also to ensure the success of the young instructor.
2. Must have significant experience and be comfortable handling and working with horses. This may be in a specific sport or discipline, breeding background, pleasure rider, groom, police or military work, etc.
3. Must be able to participate in learning situations that require skills in observation, visual, auditory and tactile information gathering.
4. Must demonstrate the ability to safely perform hands on assessment/demonstration with a live horse, including feet and all parts of the body.
5. Must demonstrate the application of good judgement and prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the care and safety of both horse and human.
6. Must adhere to the EFAI Code of Ethics.
7. Must complete the application form* in full
8. Must pay course fees in full prior to certification. Payment plans are available but certification will not be awarded until tuition fees are paid in full.
*Application does not guarantee acceptance. Refunds will not be issued to failed students.

08/30/2023

🐎 Equine First Aid Course: Secure Your Spot! 🐎

Hello horse enthusiasts!

Don't miss out on our upcoming Equine First Aid course, designed to equip you with essential skills to care for your beloved horses in emergencies. To secure your spot and ensure your participation, please proceed with the payment at your earliest convenience. Limited slots available, so act fast!

Course Details:
Date: September 17/18
Time: 8am start time, 3/4 finish
Location: Blazing Star Stables

Payment Instructions: click links below.

Amount: $159/per person/per class

Payment Method:
Basic First Aid

https://buy.stripe.com/dR6eY29ac80H32U8wJ

Advanced

https://buy.stripe.com/cN2bLQaegft96f628k

Let's ensure the safety and well-being of our equine companions together. Looking forward to having you join us for this informative and hands-on course!

Best regards,
Kat Ludewig
207-441-5071

Equine First Aid training for horse owners and lovers!

08/23/2023

🐴🚑 Be Your Horse's Hero! Join Our Equine First Aid Workshop! 🚑🐴

Attention all horse lovers and caretakers! Are you prepared to handle emergencies and ensure your four-legged companions receive the care they deserve? Our Equine First Aid Workshop is your ticket to becoming your horse's very own superhero!

🔷 Learn essential skills from seasoned professionals, including wound care, bandaging techniques, colic management, and more. With hands-on practice and expert guidance, you'll gain the confidence to handle unexpected situations with grace and effectiveness.

🔶 Don't wait for an emergency to strike – be proactive and equipped to safeguard your equine friends. Join us for an informative and interactive workshop that could make all the difference in your horse's well-being. Limited spots available, so trot on over and secure your place today!

08/22/2023

Knowledge is power and can make a huge difference not just for your horse's but another horse's life too. Veterinarians are strained to fulfill the needs in many areas. You can help:
- by learning equine first aid so you can triage health situations better.
- building a better relationship with your vet to support their livelihood outside of emergencies.
- treating them with kindness and courtesy even when you are scared and overwhelmed.

08/21/2023

Again, prepare yourself with a skill set. Worth the listen.

08/19/2023

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8F8SoLm/

Check out Blazing Star Stables's video.

08/19/2023

Congratulations to all those that finished todays basic first aid class!!

08/19/2023

View from the vet, a good listen!

Emergencies are inevitable and stressful. A little preparedness can go a long way in taking the edge off and helping you focus on what matters. Dr. Amy Lack, an internal medicine specialist, and Dr. Naomi Crabtree, a surgeon and emergency/critical care specialist, will discuss how best to prepare for an emergency, what to expect if your animal is referred to the hospital, and a brief overview of the common emergencies you can expect to deal with.

https://herdinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/sharing-space-with-the-herd-2023

08/19/2023

Yikes.

08/18/2023

Being prepared or able to think through in times of need! This is why having a first aid course under your belt is so important!

08/17/2023

Due to the increasing amount of processed fed to horses, rather than forage….

When is being fat too fat?

When you feel ribs on the horse is he skinny? An apple bum?

I am getting more and more horses to dissect that look fine to me and not fat.
This one I thought was just fine.
A discrete apple bum and quite a lithe young filly.

I could not examine her with my hands as she was unhandled and I was not going to upset her any more. But from looking at her I thought she was fine.

But she was not. Her whole internal organs were encased in fat. Her crest was full as were her eye fat pads. Her apple bum was fat and her gut was encased.

Kidneys and heart fatty

A very difficult dissection due to the need to remove the fat before I could get to her secrets.

Too much hard feed in my opinion. Although when uplifted she and the others were knee deep in mud. Or maybe some endocrine disorder, I don’t know. She was surrendered when her owner could not cope any more due to illness. She was one of a herd.

Please don’t ask me for extra detail on this case. This is sensitive and I myself don’t know all the details except she was euthanised on vet advice due to being dangerous round humans and could not be safely re-homed. She was assessed by many trainers and folk that understand traumatised horses and they all agreed she was too broken.

Please no comments about how she could be saved, trained, loved, etc. This was the hardest one to date. There are 100s of unwanted horses out there in my country and euthanasia is unfortunate and costly. There are not enough homes for them.

Gallop high Bonny. You have given me the gift of education. One that I can pass to others. A gift that will last many lifetimes as mothers tell daughters and daughters tell daughters (and sons).

A big shout out to my Patreon small business sponsors who help me finance my incredible bills associated with this passion.
And my valued sponsors that are supporting me August 2023.

Trimmer and educator-
https://www.espacechevalmoderne.com/ecm-parage

Learn to trim-
http://www.holistichoofcareforhorseowners.com

Trimmer and educator-
https://www.caballo.co.za/

Innovative mud control-
https://www.lighthoof.com

08/17/2023

Awesome time demonstrating with the kiddos Horse Barn today!!! Even got the acl/meniscus patient out;)

Today they learned about vitals, donuts, and skulls.

08/13/2023

Hard to watch, but are you prepared to know what to do if this was your horse?

Warning, it is shocking to see a horse struggle, this looks neurological

7770 likes, 1005 comments. “Poor horse, he try to get up but ...”

08/09/2023

August 19th!!!!! Class still has spaces! Who wants to be prepped for their horse????