NYB: My Travel Essentials

By Olivia Crespo

Being a Pony Club member, I have learned that the extremely long, detailed list of required equipment actually has a purpose (other than stressing myself and my team out at rallies)!  Yes… That’s right, it does have a purpose.  Those boxes have been, on multiple occasions, my saving grace during my show and equine travels!  So, in light of this fact, and that Florida is well awaiting our equines’ arrival this winter; here are my traveling essentials!

Equine First Aid

            There are many things in the first aid kit that didn’t make sense when I was younger.  Now, I’ll never leave the farm without my rolled cotton and Betadine solution!  However, there are some things that are not included in that kit that I will never leave without.

1. Epsom Salt Pack – when my horses pull shoes at events, I find this very helpful to keep the possibility of infection low if the foot looks a bit funky!
2. Diapers – abscess wraps are WAY easier with diapers than cotton – just saying!
3. Magic Cushion – this stuff is 1000% better, but way pricier than Epsom Salt Pack.  So when I’m feeling that I can spend the extra cash, I have this stashed in there as well.
4. Banamine and Bute – When my horse recently coliced at a horse trial, and then pulled a shoe at the next two, I felt that it would be extremely important to travel with my own Banamine and Bute for these sticky situations.

Human First Aid

            In reality, no matter where you go, you should ALWAYS have a first aid kit with you; especially these items…

1. Bandaids – Well… duh.
2. Ace Bandage – you never know when you’ll have a bad fall out XC schooling!
3. Instant Ice pack – Well… Duh times two.
4. Tylenol – Again, you never know when you’ll have that funky fall on the same ditch your horse jumped a week ago at the clinic…

Extra Equipment

            All the extra equipment we are required to have for our Pony Club rallies is important.  Broken bridles, lost girths, and torn lead ropes are very possible on any given day with a horse.  But I also travel with this extra equipment as well;

1. Lunge Line – When your mare decides to be a fire-breathing-dragon, a lunge line becomes your best friend.
2. Whips and Crops – “Darn it Mayeve forgot her crop again!”… Well, we have extras!
3. XC/Jump Boots – All the horses need protection!!
4. Sneakers – You don’t really want to walk XC or SJ in those tall boots you just cleaned, do you?
5. Extra Socks – It’s wet out there at 6 am in the dark walking your second Training Level XC course at Plantation Field on Halloween… (true story).
6. Saddle Pads – Cause there’s always that one person that wants to match the team in white for dressage too.

There are SO many more things that I travel and show with – but these are my favorites to bring along on any venture with myself and my crew!  Make sure you refer to our Pony Club Required Equipment Checklist for more information on the details of these kits and what is necessary to have – it’s important to know the rules and why we use these items!

The National Youth Board (NYB) serves as a liaison between Pony Club’s youth members and the Board of Governors by communicating the needs, ideas, and concerns of USPC youth. NYB members also work with the national office on projects related to marketing, leadership development, and service for the benefit of the organization and all Pony Club members. Delegates of the NYB are between 18 – 23 years of age, highly motivated and dedicated, and have strong leadership and communication skills. To learn more, log in and visit the National Youth Board page.

https://www.ponyclub.org/Members/Leadership/NatYouthBoard/