Emergency

Recent events around my home front motivate me to post this rather obvious piece of advice: Know your numbers.

By "Know your numbers" I mean know the phone numbers for: Your barn owner/manager, Farrier, Vet, Back-up Vet, and Last resort vet. Program these things into your cell phone. Know the location of good cell phone reception at your barn.

Write these numbers on your horse's stall.

Have all these numbers written down somewhere in the barn so that everyone there can benefit from the plain-sighted-ness of the information.

Because of the availability of all the above listed numbers, and some quick thinking my knucklehead horse was able to receive the very best possible emergency care this weekend. It wouldn't have happened without the team of people I assembled via phone, while I drove from Lincoln to my barn after I was informed about the incident. SO once you've gotten all your numbers programed and posted, find yourself a team of go-to's. You may need them, you may not but its important to have a plan.

We never think our horses will get injured, but the truth is, they do, and in the most inopportune times. There is no way to stop a horse from being a horse, or getting into trouble, all you can do is make yourself ready for the inevitable. I'm very lucky to have had my tools standing ready, I hope you will all consider doing the same.

Know your numbers
Build a team
Have a sturdy first-aid kit