Castlerock Equine & Canine First Aid of Massachusetts

04/13/2026

04/07/2026

Do you know the most common injuries or emergencies you could face as a horse owner?
We’re here to help!⛑️

⚠️ Colic – The #1 emergency. Signs include rolling, pawing, and looking at the belly. Always take seriously!!

🩹 Cuts & Wounds – From minor scrapes to deep lacerations—clean and assess quickly.

🔥 Laminitis – Painful hoof inflammation; watch for reluctance to move or shifting weight.

🦴 Lameness/Injury – Swelling, heat, or limping may signal sprains or fractures.

😮‍💨 Choking – Trouble swallowing with coughing or nasal discharge—remove feed immediately.

☀️ Heatstroke – Especially in hot weather; look for excessive sweating and weakness.

💡 Quick Tip: Know your horse’s normal behavior and vital signs—it makes spotting trouble much easier.

🚨 When in doubt, call your vet. Acting quickly can save your horse’s life. You are your horse’s FIRST aid!

04/07/2026

🐴 Gastric ulcers are one of the most common conditions affecting horses, especially those in training or performance programs. In fact, up to 90% of performance horses will develop ulcers at some point.

Ulcers form when stomach acid irritates the sensitive lining of the stomach, particularly in the upper (squamous) region that lacks natural protection. Over time, this irritation can lead to discomfort and a wide range of subtle changes.

Because the signs are often mild or easy to overlook, ulcers can go undetected. Changes in appetite, behavior, digestion, or performance may be early indicators that something isn’t right.

Recognizing these signs early is key to supporting your horse’s health and preventing severe ulcers.

👉 Swipe through to learn the most common signs of squamous ulcers and what to watch for in your horse.

⚠️ If you suspect your horse may have ulcers, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

04/03/2026

Upcoming Class in Wakefield, RI Stables

03/12/2026

Dehydration Happens Fast

Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Overexertion.
Heat.
Stress.

Dehydration doesn’t take days — sometimes it takes hours. And it doesn't have to be the heat of summer to happen.

Watch for:
• Sticky/tacky gums
• Lethargy
• Skin that doesn’t snap back quickly
• Sunken eyes
• Weakness

🚩 Puppies and senior dogs decline faster.

Hydration matters more than food in the first few hours of GI upset.

When in doubt — call your vet.

03/06/2026

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month!

Our pets are family & it is important that we keep them safe. There are so many things that are in our daily lives that are toxic to our pets, would you know what to do if you pet ingested something toxic? Would you know if what they ingested was toxic or safe? How about the signs of toxicity for those instances where you did not see them ingest something or even know what they ingested?

Stay tuned this month as we share some Pet Poison Prevention information all month long!

Learn more about toxicity & what to do until you can get to a vet at one of our first aid programs! Our programs are vet-reviewed & approved, full of great information that could save your pets life! Visit our website for course information and upcoming courses throughout North America.

03/03/2026

Would you know how to dislodge a ball from your dogs trachea? This is just one of the many hands-on skills you will learn in our canine CPR and emergency first aid classes.

Courses are listed by province on the website and updated weekly. We also are happy to travel and teach at your location if you’d like to host a class.

IAABC approved for 7 hours of CEU

www.caninehealthcanada.com

02/20/2026

Would love to get barns around here to become certified safe, including my own!

Huge congratulations to our newly Certified Safe Barn! 🎉 This program, powered by Equi-First Aid USA, recognizes barns that commit to veterinarian-approved emergency preparedness, smart protocols, and safer care for horses and people. Way to raise the bar for barn safety! 🐴💪

To Learn more about our Certified Safe Barn/Facility Program check out website, in the below comments!

02/19/2026

OK, who’s ready for equine first aid classes!

01/18/2026

So cool I am Certified to teach K9 first aid if anyone is interested in taking a class message for details.

Wow. Thank you everyone for choosing us yet again. We are so grateful for your support and belief in us! It’s things like this that help us reach even more people, which means we get to help even more animals 🥹

10/28/2025

Last class for 2025 in Belchertown Mass

Because YOU are their first responder