I’ve been asked to lead a “third field” with Old Dominion this fall. I’m really excited and nervous at the same time.
I wanted to get input on what I maybe should pack into my sandwich case (in the leather box itself - I’d take out the silver sandwich box and crystal flask) for emergencies I might have in the field.
I of course will try to remember to carry my cell phone in one pocket of my hunt coat (flask in the other!) But it seems I should plan on other emergency items – maybe chewable Benadryl (for bee stings), hay twine or a bit of leather for emergency repairs. What else?
Anything you can add, please let me know!
You should consider the following:
Camping/hiking first aid kit. You can go to the camping section of WalMart and get a decent small kit that will fit easily in your bag or even in your jacket pocket for that matter. You may also want to peruse the outdoor section for other knick knacks you might find useful based on your own experience like an heat reflective blanket that keeps you warm in case of shock or extreme cold.
Small LED flashlight. You can get a traditional small flashlight, one that clips on to the front of your helmet or a headband type that you can wear on your helmet. Probably won’t need it but it never hurts to have it anyway.
Compass. You can get a digital one that fits in the palm of your hand or a traditional one that opens up.
Handheld Outdoor GPS. You probably won’t want to bother with it and consider it overkill, but if you ever get lost out on a horse, it sure is helpful not to mention you can mark sightings, hazards, boundaries, and other things as you romp around the fields. You can put one on a Carabiner and clip it to your tack for easy removal and reach if you want to go that route. If you end up needing emergency medical assistance for some reason, having your GPS coordinates is the ONLY way you can ensure that medical personnel can find you as they use GPS in all medivac choppers and can obtain your location from those numbers.
Portable charger for your cellphone. You can get those just about anywhere. They take rechargeable batteries or regular ones and fit easily in your bag.
For heaven’s sake, you’re not going for a week ! I field mastered for several years and never needed more than a radio and a flask in addition to regular tack. You delegate others (well suited) to tasks you may find necessary and keep moving. You cannot provide for absolutely every emergency that a person could imagine. If you have access to a car follower with a radio, you will have most fallers with injuries covered, you then send somebody to pony their horse in. Most of the time you can prevent the silly things people tend to do that get them in to trouble, by judicious use of sarcasm, and an overbearing demeanour!
If you have any diabetics in your field, a tube of glucose gel, just in case.
I would think wirecutters and a knife…but for third field…probably more cherry and port than anything else:lol::lol:
I carry proper wirecutters on my saddle.
We don’t ‘do’ radios at ODH. If we did, this would be a non-subject.
This!! After roading hounds today a group of us went to lunch and one member was recently diagnosed low blood sugar/diabetic. He carries a something but it would be ideal to have extra.
That is interesting that you don’t use radio’s. I guess I haven’t given it much thought because my hunt does use them though I honestly do not know to what extent- lightly or constantly. I just know they are there on staff and with some whips. We have enough cell phones tucked away to use in case of an emergency.
I’m not currently field mastering, but I in all fields for a number of years and for the last few years I have been whipping in.
As far as a compass, you can get ones you can wear on a lanyard or with a ring to put on a saddle dee. Don’t waste space in your sandwich case.
You do need a good knife. I carry a Leatherman, and it’s one of the more expensive ones that actually has wirecutters that will cut stranded wire. I’ve cut barbed wire with it more than one. It was abotu $80 but it’s worth it. I carry it on my belt though, I think if my horse gets in wire she may be thrashing, though she is pretty sensible, I don’t want to have to be trying to get close to her to get it out of the bag.
I would put a small baggie with maybe a few bandaids, a folding hoof pick, a granola bar, your cell phone if it fits. That should do it. Everyone else should be big boys and girls and bring their own diabetic supplies (I’m a diabetic and I don’t expect anyone to be bringing stuff for me, and in any event you could give them the wrong stuff if it’s not theirs and do more harm than good). Maybe a piece of baling twine, you can make a rein or even a stirrup in a pinch, but that’s probably it.
As far as all that other stuff lex posted you would need a pack mule with panniers to carry all that crap, forget a sandwich case.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;5054649]
Most of the time you can prevent the silly things people tend to do that get them in to trouble, by judicious use of sarcasm, and an overbearing demeanour![/QUOTE]
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
THAT would be a great signature line quotation!
I ride with alot of older riders(who I am I kidding-I’m older too hehe). Anyways the nurse in me thought it might be nice to have a barrier shield in case I needed to do CPR or rescue breathing. I got one that is very compact in it’s own little case,small enough you could actually attach to a key ring. I have a baggie with a few bandaids, some antibiotic ointment,a couple of Benadryl, a couple of Zyrtec, a couple of cleaning wipes. I also have a roll of cast padding (similar to sheet cotton) in a roll the size of vet wrap, and a roll of vet wrap. A friend of mine had a horse get a bad cut from wire on a trail where they had ridden multiple times, never saw the wire before. The only thing they had with them was a bandanna. One of the ladies was wearing a cooling vest so she shed her tee shirt which they wrapped around and tied with the badanna.
You can put me in the camp that you don’t need to carry all that stuff. A proper stock tie and pin can be used for many things. Or if in ratcatcher and you have a standard tie.
For example, I was out hunting a few years ago when one person’s horse caught itself after a jump. It had peeled the skin right down the backside of its lower leg. I got off my horse and took my tie off. We carefully put the flap of skin back in place and then wrapped my tie around the leg. We used my cell phone to call the vet who was hunting in first flight.
It would not hurt to brush up on your first aid knowledge.
[QUOTE=Simbalism;5055849]
A friend of mine had a horse get a bad cut from wire on a trail where they had ridden multiple times, never saw the wire before. The only thing they had with them was a bandanna. One of the ladies was wearing a cooling vest so she shed her tee shirt which they wrapped around and tied with the badanna.[/QUOTE]
stock ties.
When I shattered my wrist hunting, several other members actually splinted me with stock ties and riding crops.
An extra stirrup leather around your horses neck is a great “Oh sh!t” strap, and also comes in handy as rein, or spare stirrup leather, or a lead for a wayward hound or for ponying a horse in.
jmho!
The most important thing you’re gonna need is a good sense of humour!!! Second is patience…:winkgrin: And the flask (for your use only)can be a good thing…
But from my years as a hilltopper fieldmaster; I’d say:
1/wirecutters or multitool thingey; cuts wire/vines/removes loose shoes etc
2/ a stirrup leather - I put mine around horses neck but it can be used as a replacement leather, lead rope, rein, looped thru reins to lead a horse over a jump to give you extra room, and a buncha uses. Or put a lead rope around your waist or horses neck; will have to pony at some point .
3/4 fold stock; keep some extra safety pins in your pocket or to hold your stock down ; horse/human bandage or wrap or rein or immobilizer. 4/hunt whip; to push/do gates; loop lash thru reins to lead horses over/thru obstacles.
You’ll have to determine with your hunt if you’ll need to go the speed of your slowest rider or the speed needed to get there. That’s a huge decision; ie: what gets sacrificed. Is it the needs of the many over the needs of the few? Have fun! And I hope I get out with you! You’re gonna be a star!!! 
I’ve no advice on what to pack, as I will be one of the virgin riders who hopes to join your third field. I can only say that I truly hope that the only item needed from these various suggestions will be the flask!
But I didn’t see chocolate on anyone’s list…doesn’t that make everything better?
[QUOTE=wateryglen;5058214]
The most important thing you’re gonna need is a good sense of humour!!! Second is patience…:winkgrin: And the flask (for your use only)can be a good thing…
2/ a stirrup leather - I put mine around horses neck but it can be used as a replacement leather, lead rope, rein, looped thru reins to lead a horse over a jump to give you extra room, and a buncha uses. Or put a lead rope around your waist or horses neck; will have to pony at some point .
3/4 fold stock; keep some extra safety pins in your pocket or to hold your stock down ; horse/human bandage or wrap or rein or immobilizer. 4/hunt whip; to push/do gates; loop lash thru reins to lead horses over/thru obstacles.
You’ll have to determine with your hunt if you’ll need to go the speed of your slowest rider or the speed needed to get there. That’s a huge decision; ie: what gets sacrificed. Is it the needs of the many over the needs of the few? Have fun! And I hope I get out with you! You’re gonna be a star!!! :D[/QUOTE]
I wear my extra stirrup leather as a belt.
Make sure I am there
HR. If I am out with you, don’t worry. I carry a full first aid kit in the truck along with just about anything else you will need including the benedryl. It is time to do a clean out of the truck so send me your list and I will make sure I have it available. I even have bandages that speed clotting because of Hubby’s issues. I agree about the stock ties and pens being used for just about anything and as you know, if I am out there so is my hubby and his belt is always a stirrup leather.
FTR, Bartville Harness now makes a riders belt which is designed to be used as a belt, stirrup leather, rein or hound lead. I couldn’t quite make out the hardware used from looking at the photograph but it seems like a nice, tidy useful thing.
Best Advice Evah!:lol:
Congratulations, HR. Folks seem to have everything covered but I’ll pass along some feedback from a friend who once went out with a 3rd field.
What she really liked was that the field master knew the territory, hounds and quarry. And that he kept the field quiet and informed as to which way the fox was running, why, where they were, which hound was which, that sort of thing. She was a guest and so didn’t know the territory or hounds and it made the day more enjoyable.
With a third field I’d hope there is not the casualty rate of first flight or second field, so hopefully you’ll not need all the geegaws in your sandwich case. Semper Paratus, though.
If you are putting a “kit” togeather, I would include baby asprin. Can save a life if someone happens to have a cardiac event while out.
