Equi-First Aid Middle Ga

02/01/2026

FIRST AID FAILS
Why first aid does NOT equal emergency-only knowledge

One of the biggest misconceptions we see is the belief that first aid is only needed during major emergencies.

In reality, first aid begins in day-to-day management, long before an emergency occurs.

When first aid knowledge is limited to:
• “What do I do if it gets bad?”
• “I’ll call the vet when it’s an emergency”

Owners often miss the small, early indicators that something is off.

True first aid includes:
** Knowing your horse’s normal vitals, movement, and behavior
** Recognizing subtle changes before they escalate
** Responding appropriately to minor injuries and concerns
** Understanding how nutrition, hydration, and routine care impact healing and resilience
** Making informed decisions about monitoring vs. intervention
** Communicating clearly and accurately with your veterinarian

Daily choices (including feed, turnout, workload, environment) directly influence how well a horse handles stress, injury, and recovery. Ignoring any of these makes emergencies more likely, not less.

When first aid is treated as emergency-only knowledge, problems tend to progress quietly, become more costly, require longer recovery, and create unnecessary risk for you and your horse.

First aid doesn’t replace your veterinarian; it supports the entire care team by preventing escalation and improving outcomes.

At Equi-First Aid Middle GA, we teach first aid as a continuum, not a crisis response.

Being prepared isn’t just about emergencies; it’s about everyday care done well.

Do any of you know how to do a spider wrap, or understand its purpose? I'll make a post on that soon!

01/30/2026

So excited to be able to offer this all day course!

🐴 MARE & FOAL: A HORSE OWNER’S GUIDE TO FOALING 🐴
March 14, 2026
Hosted at Topline Animal Services & Rehab | Newnan, GA

Foaling season brings excitement — and a lot of responsibility.
Being prepared can make all the difference for both mare and foal.

This Mare & Foal First Aid class is a comprehensive, hands-on course designed for horse owners and rescues who want confidence and competence throughout the entire foaling experience.

This class covers:
• Late gestation preparation and readiness
• Stages of labor — recognizing normal vs. abnormal progression
• Common foaling complications and early warning signs
• Foal CPR and emergency response techniques
• Newborn assessments and vital signs
• Key developmental milestones in the first days and weeks
• Biosecurity protocols for mare and foal
• When to monitor, when to intervene, and when to call the vet

This is practical, real-world education — focused on helping owners stay calm, observant, and effective during one of the most critical times in a horse’s life.

Hosted by:
Equi-First Aid Middle GA
Curriculum provided by Equi-First Aid USA
$169 for this all day class, includes lunch, all materials, and a comprehensive manual

Whether you’re preparing for your first foal or managing multiple mares, this class equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions when it matters most.

Spots are limited, so register here before they fill up!
https://toplineanimalservices.com/clinic%2Fclass-registration

01/28/2026

Over at Topline, I run a Hot Topic Tuesday every week to discuss things that may be controversial, or things that maybe we don't always realize. I think it's only fitting to welcome you to Equi-First Aid Middle GA's What You Didn't Know Wednesday, where I cover things less controversial that maybe you also didn't know.

Welcome aboard, on a ship where these posts can sometimes be a little thought provoking. You are welcome to comment and discuss respectfully, and even ask questions.

!!!WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW WEDNESDAY!!!
“Horses don’t bleed out easily” — True, but also not exactly true.

A horse has a large blood volume; There are roughly 10–12 gallons in an average adult horse.

Clinical shock can begin after about 15% blood loss, which is around a gallon to a gallon and a half. If you ever wonder how much that would look like on the ground, just empty a gallon and a half of water on the ground-it's a lot! This means you have plenty of time to be make calm decisions and get all the information you need together when you call your vet.

Here’s where the misunderstanding comes from:
Horses have a slow resting heart rate (often 28–40 bpm), so bleeding may appear slower at first compared to smaller animals. This can also give a false sense of security. While I told you above to be calm and make decisions, this does not mean that you have all the time in the world.

Make no mistake about it:
Uncontrolled bleeding CAN be life-threatening.

What owners often miss:
• Blood soaking into dirt, bedding, or grass still counts
• Arterial or deep muscle wounds can lose volume fast
• A calm horse can still be losing dangerous amounts of blood
• Waiting to see “how bad it gets” wastes critical time

From a first aid standpoint, the priority is simple:
✔️ Identify the source
✔️ Apply firm, direct pressure immediately
✔️ Use bandaging appropriately
✔️ Call your veterinarian early — not after shock signs appear

Bleeding emergencies aren’t about panic — they’re about decisive action.

Let's correct and clarify those common myths so owners can respond confidently and correctly when seconds matter. I've included a vitals image you are welcome to save and keep close if you would like.

Follow along for more What You Didn’t Know Wednesday posts from
Equi-First Aid Middle GA!

www.toplineanimalservices.com
404.877.8571

01/25/2026

!!! Now Booking: Junior Instructor–Led Equine First Aid Classes!!!

Last year, I introduced Jr Instructor Addy, and this year I'm excited to officially introduce our Junior Instructor–led equine first aid classes, designed to give youth practical, real-world safety skills around horses — taught using our approved curriculum and overseen by me.

These are half-day, hands-on classes focused on education, confidence, and responsible decision-making. There are some on the calendar hosted off site and at our facilities, but Addy has room for more.

🐴 FOR BARNS & YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
Perfect for:
• Lesson barns
• 4-H & Pony Club
• Camps & riding programs

✔ Peer-led instruction that keeps youth engaged
✔ Builds confidence and awareness
✔ Emphasizes when to treat vs. when to call the vet

🏡 FOR HOMESCHOOL GROUPS
A great fit for:
• Homeschool co-ops
• Farm-based learning groups
• Animal science & life-skills education

✔ Hands-on, experiential learning
✔ Age-appropriate and engaging
✔ Flexible hosting options

SAFETY & STRUCTURE
• Approved Equi-First Aid USA (and Middle Ga) curriculum
• Junior Instructor teaches within a clearly defined scope
• Classes are supervised and overseen by me

This program is about empowering the next generation of horse owners while maintaining professionalism, safety, and accuracy.

📅 Now booking host barns & homeschool groups
📩 Message me or text to schedule a class or learn more.

✨ Practical education. Confident kids. Safer barns. ✨

www.toplineanimalservices.com
404.877.8571

01/17/2026

📣 Fundamentals Day — Saturday, February 28 | Newnan, GA

Kick off your year with a full day of hands-on equine safety and preparedness! Our Fundamentals Day brings together three Equi-First Aid USA classes designed to help horse owners respond confidently to emergencies, haul safely, and prepare for disasters.

🕘 9:00–12:00 | Fundamentals of Equine First Aid
Learn to assess emergencies, take vital signs, and practice realistic first aid scenarios.

🕐 1:00–2:30 | On the Road to Safe Hauling
Tips and strategies to keep your horse safe while trailering, including load management and handling emergencies on the road.

🕒 3:00–5:00 | Essentials in Emergency Preparedness (Mini Disaster Class)
Create a practical disaster plan for your property and livestock — from weather emergencies to unexpected evacuations.

✨ Why take all three?
Emergencies don’t happen in isolation. Taking all three classes gives you a complete, real-world safety foundation you’ll use every day — at the barn, on the road, and when disaster strikes.

🎟 Individual class pricing available, or bundle all three for a discounted rate.

⏰ Registration closes February 14 — spots are limited, so secure your place today!

📩 Registration: Clinic/Class Registration page

All day class covers what a horse has evolved to eat, the GI tract, classes of nutrients, types of forages and feedstuffs, reading feed labels, calculating rations, feeding for life stages, special considerations – and more. Activities will include calculating a horse’s weight, body condition sc...

01/15/2026

I've been getting the same questions as always, so thought I'd share this again!

Online Course: $29.99. Knowing what to do in a real emergency? Priceless.

There’s a BIG difference between watching a video and actually learning how to save your horse’s life.

Those cheap online courses might give you a PDF and a quiz…
But what they don’t give you is:
✓ Hands-on practice with real horses
✓ Confidence in emergency situations
✓A certified instructor answering your questions in real-time
✓Muscle memory from doing, not just watching
✓A support system of fellow horse owners and ongoing resources

Equi-First Aid USA isn’t just another course — it’s a reputable, proven, and trusted leader in equine emergency education.

We’ve been setting the standard for over 15 years, with internationally recognized curriculum, certified instructors, and thousands of confident students across North America.

Yes — we do offer online coursework to support flexible learning, BUT your certification isn’t complete until you attend a 4-hour, in-person hands-on session with a certified instructor. Why? Because watching and doing are not the same thing. And when it’s your horse’s life on the line, you want to be sure.

We’re not new. We’re not trendy. We’re trusted.

By horse owners. By professionals. By first responders.

From managing colic and bleeds to wrapping wounds and checking vitals — you’ll leave our class prepared, not panicked.

Let's be honest: Would you trust an internet quiz to train your farrier or vet?
Then don’t trust one with your emergency horse care either.

Find a class near you and train with the best. I've added a list of the classes I'm giving this year at the bottom of this post. (Not listed: Mar 7) However if you are not local, there are instructors all over the country. Let me help get you connected!

Your horse deserves more than “just enough.”

01/10/2026

Quick tip that I saw last week sometime and grabbed a screenshot for those of you that have trouble medicating your horses.

I've done this for ages and keep forgetting to share! You're welcome

01/01/2026

2025 was a powerful year for Equi-First Aid Middle GA, and it reinforced why education matters so much in our horse community.

This year, we worked with horse owners, barns, and equine professionals who were willing to learn, ask questions, and prepare themselves to act calmly and effectively when it matters most. Every class was about more than first aid—it was about confidence, awareness, and responsibility.
I’m deeply thankful to every host barn, every student who showed up ready to learn, and everyone who continues to advocate for better preparedness and horse welfare. Your willingness to invest in knowledge directly improves outcomes for horses.

As we head into 2026, Equi-First Aid Middle GA will continue focusing on practical, realistic education that empowers owners to be part of the solution—before the vet arrives.
Thank you for trusting me with your education and for helping raise the standard of care in our region