Aside World Magazine
Summer/Fall 2020 Issue 

What Do You Have in Your First Aid Kit?

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Article By Tammie Conway

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I don't know if you are like this, but for me, I get a ton of ideas while talking to friends, co-workers, barn-mates, etc. The discussion just gets my mind flowing and the next thing you know, I have an idea for fund raisers for our local horse group or how to improve a process at work, or a lot of times... something about ISSO. Namely, an article that MAY be interesting for Aside World- hence why I am currently writing this (hopefully you agree it is worth the time).

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I was at the barn talking to a friend the other day. She just bought her first trailer and picked it up from the dealer a couple weeks ago so was asking me all sorts of questions. I am beyond excited for her and her new found freedom to now be able to go anytime she wants to what ever event she wants without relying on someone else (namely my trainer or me) but at the same time that means she is taking on a lot of responsibility and is worried, rightfully so.

 

I love seeing the pure kid-like joy in her face talking about getting the trailer ready, where she is going to go, and outfitting it for her upcoming adventures but she also has anxiety over making sure she has everything she will need since she will not always have our trainer around. This lead to our topic today and I know it is not directly side saddle related but at the same time I think it is an important thing to talk about or at least think about if you have your own rig. Especially with all the traveling that will start to come up in the next few months due to fun fall events. People will be taking their equine partners to hunts, trail rides, "off campus" schooling trips, and if you are fortunate enough maybe even going down south during the winter months.

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For most of us that means we will be hauling our horses around, sometimes totally alone, and we should be prepared as best we can. If you use your trainer or a hauling service they should have addressed the important things but it never hurts to make sure. We made one list of items that she needs to get for her trailer that is specific to her situation but there is one universal item I feel every trailer should have, no matter what discipline you are or what events you are going to, a first aid kit! I have compiled a pretty extensive list that she has been tackling and thought why not share it with the group since it is an important issue and we kinda forget about them sometimes (i.e. when taking pictures I realized I need to replace some outdated items, oops!).

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So, if you have our own kit, now may be the time to pull it out and check dates and to see if maybe you could add a little bit to it. If you don't have a first aid kit, now may be the time to buy one or make one for both you and your horses safety! If you want to make one I have compiled the below lists from multiple sources and I myself do not have all of the items in one kit (I think between the soft small bag and my hard case I should have 95% so I have homework myself). I put the most needed items in red since this is an extensive list. The rest are a bonus for extensive kit and could also be useful if you only want one kit for both your barn and trailer. 

 

Thank you to Laureen Bartfield, DVM for making my tackle box kit that is photographed (she did this topic one year at Camp Leaping Horn and after the discussion they awarded it to the most helpful camper and I was honored to receive it).