Create Your Own Trail Ride Emergency Kit

by Sarah Gee

Sometimes the most enjoyable rides are those spur of the moment, throw the saddle on the horse and go type rides – rides that don’t involve much planning or preparation. However, the unexpected can happen on those rides just the same as it can on big organized rides, so it’s important to be prepared. Putting together a Trial Ride Emergency Kit is a snap. You can throw the dozen or so useful items into a small pommel bag and permanently attach it to your saddle. That way you’ll know you’re prepared, even on those spontaneous trips to the woods or down the road.

Here’s a list of suggested items for your kit:
• Combination Tool – These are great for unexpected tasks, such as pulling splinters, removing rocks from hooves, cutting brambles, or repairing broken leather straps. Spend the money for a high quality tool such as a Leatherman or Buck. Get one that features a wire cutter, an awl, a blunt file (doubles nicely as a hoofpick), and pinch-nose pliers. These tools usually run around $60 and you can buy them at sporting goods stores, department stores, hardware stores, etc.

• Leather Laces – These have multiple uses – crafting makeshift bridle parts, tying un-needed clothing to your saddle, etc. When buying, get the longest length you can find because a single piece of leather is stronger than short strands tied together. You can find leather laces at variety, hardware, grocery, shoe and tack stores for about $2.

• Rubber-dipped, cotton-knit gloves – These make a great backup in case you lose or ruin your regular riding gloves. In addition, they’ll protect you hands when handling bramble, rough wood, wire, etc. They’re also handy when you need to handle a muddy hoof. Available at grocery, hardware, and variety stores, they’re usually under $5.

• Easyboot Temporary Horseshoe – These are handy in the event of a thrown shoe, hoof chip, or injury. Make sure the boot fits you horse’s hooves so it’ll go on and stay on. Also be sure that you can put it on and take it off without special tools. Practice on you horse’s for and hind hooves before you leave the barn. Prices range between $20 and $40 at tack stores.

• Flashlight – Useful for pinpointing small wounds or rocks stuck in hooves. Also comes in handy if you find yourself out at dusk or after dark. A small one will run you about $2 at a variety store.

• Resealable Freezer Bag (1 gallon) – Makes a great makeshift bucket for you and your horse, a washbasin for minor injuries, and a pack-out container for solid waste. Also, it can be opened and slipped over a leg as part of a wound dressing. A box of 10 will run you around $3 at the grocery store.

• Lightweight, Disposable Rain Poncho – Not only great protection in an unexpected downpour but useful as a drop cloth for an impromptu picnic and to cover your saddle if it rains while you’re on the ground. Less than $5 at variety and farm-supply stones

• Individually Wrapped Sanitary Napkins (2) - In addition to the obvious use, these also make great bandages should you or your horse become injured. They cost about $4 for a package of 12 at grocery or variety stores.

• Elastic Bandage, 2 Rolls – Most commonly known as VetRap. Use as a bandage if you or your horse become injured on the trail. Priced around $2.50 per roll at tack and feed stores.

• Two 8 oz. Bottles of Water – Not only will they quench your thirst, they can double as an eyewash or you can use them to irrigate a wound. About $1 each at grocery or variety stores or gas stations.

• Baby Wipes - These work great for an impromptu sponge bath or to clean a wound. Buy a small pack of about six wipes and store them in a Ziploc bag to protect against drying and leakage. If you use a wipe, replace the opened pack when you get home – wipes can become moldy or dried out after opening. Available at grocery or variety stores for about $1.

• Over the Counter Pain Medication – Good for unexpected headaches, muscle aches, or injury. Don’t take aspirin if your injury involves significant bleeding or bruising, as it can delay clotting. Instead take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxin (Alleve), which are also anti-inflammatories. Buy at grocery or variety stores for about $2.

• Pepper Spray – Great for self-defense against any threatening individual (two or four legged) that you might come across on the trail. When using extend your arm fully and avoid spraying into the wind. Replace used canister, and any unused ones that are over a year old. Priced at less than $10 at variety, sporting-goods, hardware, and feed stores.

Having the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are prepared can only increase your level of enjoyment on the trail. Ride on!