Hey evryone!
Just wanted to share in my experience on the
trail yesterday. For 6 years I've been riding trails and never had to use my
first aid kit for any reason. Yesterday, thank God I had it and probably saved
my horse's life.
I guess I sent this without
finishing....sooooory.
Anyway, a group of us went riding yesterday in
the sweltering heat in St Louis area yesterday, no air movement, and horse
flies the size of B52s were everywhere! We must have been insane to ride
yesterday. I had my very green horse behind everyone trying to swat flies and
control Dandy when all of a sudden the horse in front of us hauls off and
kicks Dandy. I didn't think anything of it at first but my riding buddy in
front of me said " hey there's blood on Dandy's front leg!" I got off
immediately to check him out and on his upper front leg there was a small
slit and bright red blood was spurting out! My friend called a vet to
meet us back at the trailer.
I had a great little kit on my cantle bag; tampax
sterile gauze, vetwrap and an ace wrap. I used it all to stop the bleeding.
The problem was that at the top of the foreleg where it is larger and then
gets smaller it kept sliding down his leg so I had to rewrap a few times along
the way. Next time I'll add a small roll of duct tape to keep the bandage in
place. That stuff is great in any situation!
By the time we hiked back 3 miles or so and
the vet arrived a few minutes after we walked up.
The cut was very small and the vet decided to put
2 stitches in to seal the vessel for sure. It's a good thing she did cause
Dandy was rubbing his nose on that leg all evening...must have itched or
something. I think it would have opened up again if it hadn't been
stitched.
There had been times when I had the thought of
not taking the first aid kit, but always did. Now for sure I always will and
won't leave home without it. Stuff happens, but be
prepared!
Happy Tails!
Susan and Dandy in sweltering St
Louis