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Home /Grooms life/Dealing with bleeds

Dealing with bleeds

3rd August 2023
News Article Image
Accidents happen all the time, and not just while riding - sometimes this involves bleeding, which can be a scary sight. 
 
Would you know how to treat a bleed?
 
We asked BGA sponsor, Medi-K to explain how to deal with bleeds - large and small.
 
"If someone suffers a nasty cut, stopping the bleeding and preventing infection are your first priorities.
 
We use the acronym C.A.R.E. to remember what to do:
 
C - Check and clean the wound. Put your gloves on. Clean the wound with a medi-wipe, a dampened gauze or flush it with clean water. Don’t use cotton wool as it can contaminate the wound with fibres. If there is an impaled object in there, clean and bandage around it but don’t remove it. 
 
 
  Watch our video on dealing with an impaled object.

 

A - Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. This can be done initially by the casualty themselves and then by applying a firm bandage or dressing.
 
If the casualty is bleeding heavily, cover the wound with a large dressing. You can get specific bandages for larger bleeds called haemostatic bandages. They have an active agent embedded in them that stops large bleeds very quickly. You still need to apply pressure – in this case a lot of pressure to stop a bigger bleed.
 
R – Raise the bleeding limb to limit the amount of blood reaching the wound.
 
E – Ensure the treatment is working. Reassure and monitor your casualty.
 
With all bandages, they need to be changed once a day or when they get soiled.
 

ROPE BURNS

Rope burns are friction burns that often tear the skin off causing a messy bloody wound on the hand or arm.
 
Rope burns should be cleaned using cool running water. This helps remove debris, bacteria and rope fragments from the wound. If running water is unavailable, use a cool compress or still, sterilised water instead. Do not put ice on the wound, as this may further damage the skin tissue.
 
If there are rope fragments that don’t rinse out, leave them intact for a doctor to remove or try to gently remove them yourself with a sterilised tweezer. Be careful to avoid pulling or further abrading the wound while attempting to remove fragments or debris.
 
Once cleaned, cover the area with a sterile bandage and raise the limb. Don’t overtighten the bandage in this case. It is used mainly to prevent infection.
 
Any rope burn that is larger than 2 to 3 inches / 50 to 70mm or deeper than the skin’s uppermost layer should be looked at by a doctor. If medical support is necessary, clean and cover the wound to avoid infection and then seek emergency medical help immediately.
 

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF SHOCK

Casualties with bleeds may go into shock. This is a medical condition where the amount of blood or fluids lost cause their body to ‘shut down’ and protect the vital organs (brain, heart, lungs etc). They will want to lie down to get most of their blood supply to these organs.
 
The signs of shock may come on quite quickly:
 
• Their skin has gone pale and cold
• Skin feels clammy to the touch
• They feel sick and thirsty
• Their breathing and heart rates have gone up
• They are more anxious and worried
 

TREATMENT FOR SHOCK

Keep the casualty warm with a foil blanket preferably. Get them to lie down, raise their feet to try and improve blood flow to the vital organs. Give them lots of positive reassurance.
Phone 999/112.
 

IS YOUR FIRST AID KIT UP TO THE JOB?

Do you have the right types and sizes for any potential injuries in your yard, livery or field? Bandages also have a use by date and kits should be checked regularly. Do you have adequate scissors if your needed to cut through clothing?
Read more about the law relating to first aid kits and what contents you should have in our First Aid Kits blog.
 

YOUR GET CONFIDENT - GET TRAINED

We run Equestrian specific first aid courses covering all the topics above, both public and private courses throughout the UK. Our trainers are horse riders, trainers and owners themselves. You can find out more about our range of courses via this link.
 
Read more of our equestrian specific blogs on our website and follow us on our Medi-K specific Facebook page for horse riders."
 

NEED TRAINING?

Medi-K run Equestrian specific first aid courses throughout the UK, including privately organised workshops.
 
The Medi-K trainers are horse riders and owners themselves enabling them to provide equine specific, practical guidance.
 

BOOK A COURSE

Find out more about Medi-K’s range of courses; firstaidtrainingcooperative.co.uk/equestrian
 

E-LEARNING

Did you know BGA members have access to a bespoke online first aid course? This 'First Aid Essentials' e-learning course is FREE for BGA members, log into your account and find the course within the 'Training and careers' section.
 

INSURANCE

If you get injured and you are unable to work your income is likely to be reduced, or disappear completely if you are a freelancer.
 
Protecting yourself is important, trust us, we hear about accidents all the time.
 
 

Are you insured?

Find out more about our groom specific insurance policies and how we can help to protect you.

 

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BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

 
 
 


BLOG ARCHIVE

 
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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES