🚑 Sam’s Truck Series, Pt. 1: First Aid Kit Must-Haves (Horse + Human)

🚑 Sam’s Truck Series, Pt. 1: First Aid Kit Must-Haves (Horse + Human)

Welcome back to the first installment in our Sam’s Truck Series! If you saw yesterday’s post, you know we’ve just upgraded the truck! We’re deep in prep mode for the upcoming run of showjumping competitions.

Today we’re kicking things off with one of the most important parts of the setup — the first aid kit. Not just for the horses, but for us humans too. Because let's be real — whether it's a hoof abscess, a cut finger, a mystery rash, or sunburn (always sunburn 🙃), something always happens.

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🐴 What’s in Our Equine First Aid Kit?

We’ve refined this over the years — it lives in a waterproof storage tub and gets checked before every comp. Here’s what we always include:

✔️ MaxoWRAP Vet Wrap

This stuff is gold — it sticks to itself (not your horse), is super stretchy, and perfect for everything from supporting sprains to securing poultices. We keep a box on hand — trust me, one roll is never enough. - Even for moments where boots or chaps break.. a trusty roll of vet wrap saves the day!

✔️ Equitex Medicated Poultice

A tack box staple! We use it hot, cold, wet, or dry  - Easy to cut to size and store flat — no mess, no stress.

✔️ White Healer Antibacterial Cream

For minor cuts, sunburn, greasy heel, or skin scald — this zinc-based cream is a lifesaver. We keep a few tubes handy for both the horses and the dogs.

✔️ Ice Boots & Poultice

Essential post-round to reduce inflammation and speed recovery. We pop ours in the truck freezer or into a cooler bag with ice packs if we’re traveling far — they make a huge difference. Use your pre-packed gloves to put the clay poultice on the legs after icing to help keep that heat out and prevent inflammation.

✔️ Anti-fungal & Antibacterial Shampoo

Quick clean-ups at the end of a comp day or to treat minor skin irritations. Bonus: it helps control sweat build-up after travel.

✔️ Gauze, Cotton Wool, Bandage Scissors & Gloves

Boring but essential. Store them in a sealed zip-lock to keep them sterile and dry. (Available in our First Aid Accessories section)

✔️ Duct Tape

Because every equestrian knows: duct tape fixes everything. Hoof abscess boot? You got it. 

✔️ Thermometer & Electrolytes & Calming Paste

We keep a digital thermometer in the kit for quick checks, and always carry electrolyte paste — especially on hot days or when traveling long distances. Plus.... you never know when you might need that calmer!

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 First Aid for Riders: Don’t Forget Yourself

Honestly, sometimes I feel more busted than the horses at the end of a show day 😂

Here’s what we keep packed for ourselves:

• Plasters (for blisters, bites, scrapes) — from our First Aid Accessories

• Elastic bandage/wrap (in case of a rolled ankle)

• Insect bite cream

• Aloe or burn cream (hello, sunburn)

• Antiseptic cream or wipes

• Pain relief tablets (Panadol or similar)

• SUNBLOCK! (SPF 50+ — always, always, always)

• Hand sanitizer (because porta-loos are what they are)

• Lip Balm!!!

We keep these in a separate pouch in the glove box or the front of the tack locker so they’re easy to grab.

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📅 Upcoming Competitions — The Road Ahead

With the truck being packed and first aid kit ready, here’s where we’re headed next:

• Waratah Warm Up Show
  Date: September 14–15, 2025
  Venue: Waratah Equestrian Centre, NSW

• Waratah World Cup Show
  Date: October 5–10, 2025
  Venue: Waratah Equestrian Centre, NSW

• Tamworth World Cup Show
  Date: November 1–7, 2025
  Venue: Tamworth Showgrounds, NSW

• Willinga World Cup Show
  Date: November 20–26, 2025
  Venue: Willinga Park Equestrian Centre, NSW

Bonus: The last three World Cup shows also host the exciting Three Test Jumping Series — NZ vs AUS, which we’re super keen to compete in and watch!

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🧡 Final Thought

So there it is — your first-aid essentials checklist, straight from our new truck’s first comp pack-up. Honestly, it might not be the most glamorous part of show prep, but it’s the one we rely on most often.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing our tack essentials and what we double-up on in our tack setup — what gets packed as a backup (because we’ve all had that one bridle break mid-warm-up).

In the meantime, if you're building your own comp kit, you can find everything I mentioned in-store at Dutaillis Saddlery or message me directly for recommendations!

🛻 Stay tuned & stay safe — we’re just getting started.

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Extra Tips:

• Always check your first aid supplies before heading to the show. Expired creams and rolled vet wrap aren’t much use.

• Pack your kit in a sturdy, waterproof container with compartments so things don’t get lost or soggy.

• Consider a small portable cooler bag for ice boots and cold poultices — makes life easier when traveling long distances.