HorseGrooms MeetUp | Tuesday, January 20 | 6 to 7:30 PM | Eye Candy Land, Wellington, FL
Knowing what to do in the first moments when something is wrong can make a real difference for a horse. While veterinary care is always essential, grooms are often the first to notice a problem and the first to respond. That is why HorseGrooms is hosting a MeetUp focused entirely on first aid for horses, bringing together practical knowledge that supports horses while waiting for the vet.
This in-person session will take place on Tuesday, January 20, at Eye Candy Land in Wellington and is designed to give grooms and other equestrians clear, hands-on information they can use in real-life situations.
What the MeetUp Will Cover
This MeetUp is led by two experienced professionals who approach horse care from different but complementary perspectives. A Spanish translator will be available to translate into Spanish if needed.
Equine First Aid and TPR
Veterinary technician Laura Elser, known from her HorseGrooms series “Don’t Piss Off Your Vet“, will begin with a practical overview of equine first aid and what grooms should do when a horse needs attention before the veterinarian arrives. Her presentation will cover:
- Basic first aid principles
- Common skin issues such as scratches and summer sores
- TPR, temperature, pulse, and respiration, and why these values matter
After the presentation, Laura will move to a horse for a hands-on demonstration. Attendees will learn how to take a horse’s pulse at different locations, including the jaw and the fetlock, and how to recognize when values are outside the normal range.
Hoof Care, Travel, and Prevention
Farrier Jacqueline Karlsen will focus on hoof-related first aid and preventative care, including:
- Packing sore feet
- Hoof care during travel, such as trailer or van rides to shows or the vet
- Simple preventative maintenance grooms can do at the end of the day
Jacqueline will also discuss why she has been seeing more laminitis cases earlier in the season and how grooms can help reduce risks through practices like icing and packing after travel or work. She will bring a variety of hoof packing materials so participants can see and feel the options commonly used in barns. Read the articles Jacqueline has written for HorseGrooms here and in the HorseGrooms Insiders part of the Community.
Why This Session Matters
This MeetUp is not about replacing the veterinarian or farrier. It is about giving grooms the knowledge to respond calmly, observe correctly, and support the horse until professional help arrives. Understanding first aid, basic vitals, and preventative care helps protect horse welfare and gives grooms confidence in critical moments.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, January 20
Time: 5:45 to 7:30 PM
Location: Eye Candy Land, 5420 Las Palmas Ave, Wellington, FL
Pizza & drinks generously provided by Dandy Products and Eye Candy.
A Recording of the MeetUp will be available for HorseGrooms Insiders after the event.
The MeetUp is free and open to everyone. Non-grooms who are able to support the mission are welcome to make a small voluntary donation.
RSVP is required
Please RSVP through the HorseGrooms Community or, if you haven’t joined 1200+ other grooms there yet, you can RSVP via this Google Form.
We look forward to welcoming you for an informative and hands-on evening focused on practical horse care and welfare.
HorseGrooms is a platform of resources, education, and support for grooms by grooms. This is an online community, hub of resources, and spotlight of industry highlights born out of love for the horse and love for the sport. But our mission goes beyond simply providing resources and creating content.
Our goal is to create a space to keep horsemanship alive; for grooms to support and educate each other; and to help advance the craft of grooming. HorseGrooms is dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.
