Whether it’s gathering cattle in a pasture, sorting cows in a pen or roping calves during branding time, horses are an important tool of the trade for many ranchers. These four-legged athletes also play a key role in recreational activities — showing off their skills in the arena at ranch rodeos.

No matter the scenario, being on horseback can be rewarding, but it doesn’t come without risk. So, it’s important to be prepared if an accident occurs.

First things first

There are a few basics to remember when riding in a pasture. Most importantly, someone should know where the rider will be, especially if he or she is going alone. The rider should carry a cell phone and/or a signaling device such as a whistle. According to Dr. Jamie Jacobsen, an emergency medicine physician, and avid barrel racer and team roper from Holton, a whistle can help locate an injured rider if no cell service is available.

Jacobsen recommends carrying a knife and a first-aid kit that contains these items: adhesive bandages, gauze pads, gauze rolls, absorbent pads, adhesive tape, ACE wrap, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, latex-free gloves, commercial tourniquet, a SAM® splint, ibuprofen/acetaminophen, chewable low-dose aspirin (81 mg each) and oral antihistamine for allergic reaction.

“Emergency kits containing these items can be purchased for about $30 to $50,” she said.“They come very compact and will easily fit in a saddle bag.”

Conscious or unconscious?

If someone is injured while riding, first check their consciousness level. Jacobsen said if the person is unconscious, promptly check for a pulse and breath sounds. If either cannot be detected, call 911 immediately.

“If there is no pulse, CPR should be started,” she said. “If this happens at an event, someone should be sent to look for an automated external defibrillator.” Jacobsen explained CPR can be performed by pushing hard and fast on the middle of the chest, giving 100 compressions per minute with complete chest recoil between compressions.

If a pulse is detected, but the person is not breathing, the airway will need to be opened. Jacobsen said this can be done by grasping the angles of the person’s lower jaw and lifting with both hands, one on each side, moving the jaw forward. Make sure the lips are opened. If this does not prompt air flow, begin rescue breathing by tilting the head back, lifting the chin, pinching the nose shut and giving eight to 10 breaths per minute, making sure the chest clearly rises.

Jacobsen said a person who remains conscious following an accident should lie still while someone checks for visible injuries. If none are apparent, the person should begin slowly moving each extremity, while keeping their neck and back still.

“If an extremity has no visible injuries and the person is unable to move it or feel it, be concerned about a spinal cord injury and keep their spine immobilized until help arrives,” Jacobsen said.

Fracture management

When dealing with a fracture, Jacobsen recommends only minimal handling due to the possibility of severing or compressing a nerve or blood vessel. Therefore, a splint should be used to help immobilize the fracture.

A pre-made splint can be used, or one can be fashioned from something rigid enough to provide support. Jacobsen said padding should be placed between the splint and body part.

“Be sure the splint is long enough to restrict movement of the joints above and below a broken bone, or movement of the bones above and below an injured joint,” she said. “Check the circulation below the fracture after applying the splint.”

Minimize bleeding

The most effective way to control bleeding, Jacobsen explained, is by applying pressure directly over the wound. If bleeding continues after applying pressure for 30 minutes, she recommends applying a pressure dressing. This consists of a thick layer of gauze or other suitable material placed over the wound and held with a tightly wrapped bandage.

“Once the dressing is applied, do not remove it, even when it becomes bloodsoaked,” she said.

As a last resort, Jacobsen said a tourniquet can be applied 5-10 cm above the wound site to control bleeding, but it should only be tightened enough to stop the bleeding.

One never knows when an accident may occur in the pasture, pens or the arena. Being familiar with a few first- aid responses may make all the difference when seconds count.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the September 2018 issue of the Kansas Stockman. The Kansas Stockman is owned and published monthly by the Kansas Livestock Association. The story was supplied to the I-R by Clinton Laflin of the Midway Extension District.