What To Do In Remote Emergencies with Horses

Its a trail riders worst nightmare getting hurt and requiring evacuation from a remote area. Whether out on the trails for a few hours or on an overnight trip the reality that every recreational rider must face is that emergencies can occur. Preparation is key and the success of emergency evacuations has a lot to do with planning for their possibility. It can also determine whether a rider survives.
First Aid First
The first thing to do in the event of an emergency is assess the injured person says James Tucker who teaches wilderness first aid in southern Alberta through his company Out There First Aid. To be able to do that you need remote or wilderness first aid training.

But its not enough for one person to have that training because the trained person might be the rider who gets hurt. Wilderness first aid is something that all trail riders need.
Wilderness first aid courses teach you things like how to make your own stretchers and improvised neck and leg braces says Tucker. You have to use what you have with you.
Once the rider has been assessed the group has to decide how to get them to medical care. Transportation options depend on the riders suspected injuries the terrain and the distance from the trailhead.
Choosing SelfEvacuation
There are four scenarios where we dont want to selfevacuate says Tucker. A spinalhead injury a pelvic fracture a femur fracture or severe hypothermia. And if youre thrown from a horse theres a really good chance you could have any or all of those.
If the injured rider is stable enough to selfevacuate they could ride out perhaps on the safest horse or while being ponied. Alternatively they might be able to walk or the group could potentially build a stretcher and carry them out.
If the injuries arent bad enough that you have to wait for help then you can selfevacuate says Tucker. But that depends on how many people youve got their skills fitness and equipment.
Before the injured rider is moved or transportation decisions are made the 10 essentials for safe recreation will be needed to treat or stabilize the injured person.
The 10 essentials arent necessarily individual items but a list of systems. They include 
navigation map compass global positioning system
light headlamp with extra batteries
whistlemirror
first aid kit
knife
fire starter
sun protection
shelter emergency blanket or tarp
extra food water and clothes beyond lunch and the jacket youre wearing
You shouldnt leave home without