The Field Notes

  A Rider Is Down. What Are Your First Steps? It's a beautiful day in the hunt field. The hounds are working, horses are moving, and everyone is enjoying the ride. Suddenly, a horse bucks, throwing its rider to the ground. The rider hits the ground hard… and isn't getting up. You're one of the first people to reach them. ❓ WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Would you move the rider or leave them where they are? Would you remove their helmet? Who would call for help? What would you check first? What if you're miles from the nearest road? Those first few minutes can make a difference. 💬  We want to hear from you! What would your first three actions be? Think about it, discuss it with your fellow fox hunters, and share your answers! Coming Up Next: Part 2 — Protecting the Head & Neck We'll take a closer look at what to do when you suspect a head or spinal injury, including how to help protect the rider while waiting for EMS. Being prepared in the hunt field is just as important a...

  Fox Hunt First Aid Supply Co. | Hunt Field Safety Series A rider is bucked off their horse. They hit the ground hard and aren't getting up. What happens next? In Part 1 of our  What Would You Do?  series, we asked fox hunters to think about their first actions when a fellow rider falls. Now, let's focus on one of the most important concerns following a serious fall:  a possible head or spinal injury. Why Does the Neck Matter? Falling from a horse can involve significant force. Even when a rider is conscious and talking, an injury to the cervical spine (the neck portion of the spine) may not be immediately obvious. The goal isn't to diagnose a spinal injury in the field. It's to recognize the possibility, avoid unnecessary movement, and get professional help. What Should You Do? 1. Make the Scene Safe Before approaching, make sure the horse is secured, and other riders and horses are kept clear. Don't become another patient. 2. Call 911 Report that a rider has fall...

Because “somewhere past the third fence” isn't an address. There's something special about riding across open countryside, following hounds through fields, woods, and places most people will never see. But there's one thing that can turn a beautiful day in the hunt field into a serious problem:  an emergency when nobody knows exactly where you are. A rider falls. Someone suffers a medical emergency. A horse gets loose. And suddenly, the most important question isn't what happened. It's  “Where are you?” The Problem With “We're Near the Big Oak Tree” Fox hunting takes us into places where traditional street addresses don't exist. You might be several fields from the nearest road, deep in the woods, or on private property accessible only through a farm gate. Calling 911 is an important first step, but getting emergency responders to the right location can be challenging. And telling dispatch you're “behind the old barn, past the creek” probably isn't g...

Because getting back in the saddle shouldn't be the first priority. There's a saying in the hunt field: It's not a matter of  if  you'll come off your horse, but  when . Falls happen. Sometimes they're little more than a bruised ego and a story for the hunt breakfast. Other times, what looks like a minor tumble can turn into something much more serious. One injury every fox hunter should know how to recognize is a  concussion . And here's the important part:  You don't have to lose consciousness to have one. What Exactly Is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. A rider doesn't necessarily have to strike their head directly. The sudden force of being thrown from a horse can be enough to cause an injury. Even when a rider is wearing a properly fitted helmet, a concussion can still occur. Signs Every Fox Hunter Should Recognize Follo...

From Fox Hunt First Aid Supply Co. There’s something special about a day in the hunt field. The sound of hounds, the excitement of the chase, the camaraderie among riders, and the traditions that make fox hunting unlike any other equestrian sport. But as every experienced fox hunter knows, the unexpected can happen. A horse takes a bad step. A rider comes off at a fence. Someone suffers an injury miles from the nearest road. Suddenly, a beautiful day in the field becomes something entirely different. That’s where preparedness matters. Why We Started Fox Hunt First Aid Supply Co. Fox Hunt First Aid Supply Co. was created with a simple mission: help fox hunters, hunt staff, and equestrian enthusiasts be better prepared when things don’t go as planned. We believe that knowing what to do in an emergency is just as important as having the right equipment. From practical first aid supplies to education designed specifically for the hunt field, our goal is to make emergency preparedne...