There’s always something in need of organizing around my home. Any given day I could choose from many options–files, kitchen cabinets, closets or sock drawers, to name a few.

One week last fall, the workshop’s number came up on the “to do” list, and I attacked the mess in an effort to bring some semblance of order to that black hole that managed to swallow every tool that I went in search of.

After about a week, I couldn’t say the job was complete, but I was satisfied with the level of organization that I’d achieved. The Phillips head screwdrivers had been separated from the regular ones, the drill bits had been separated from the saw blades and the various pieces of the socket set had all found their way to a single tray with a carrying handle. I was satisfied.

I figured this accomplishment would cut considerable searching time off every trip to the workshop that my kids or I were sent on. I didn’t realize that it would save a horse’s life one day.

It was a typical morning when I went out to feed. Everyone was nickering for their grain. The filly–a new boarder–was showing off her youthful agility by pawing up past her head.

I poured the grain in for each horse through an opening in the stall front bars and went on to get hay. Glancing at the filly I noticed her right front foot was still up next to her face as she munched on her grain. I thought she was just being a goofy baby, but upon closer inspection, I discovered that her foot was stuck there–wedged between the feed bin and the wall.

I cautiously approached her, trying not to cause her to spook, and I tried freeing her. But she was stuck. Her hoof was tightly wedged in a small triangle next to the feeder and no amount of lifting or twisting on my part was going to get it out. Fortunately, as long as she was eating, she didn’t appear to care that she was three-legged, and she remained calm.

My quick assessment: I’m here alone. I can’t muscle my way through this. I don’t want to leave her, but I need tools. I made sure the feed pan was full of hay and ran off to the workshop.

I grabbed the sawzall, a pry bar, a hammer and the neatly assembled rachet set. Upon my return she was happily munching with her hoof next to her ear. I figured out that I couldn’t pry the pan loose, but found the right size rachet and after loosening 6 bolts, got the pan loose and removed her leg. Whew!

The lesson here is obvious. When dealing with horses (similar to kids) you never know what they’re going to get into...but the longer you spend around them, the more options reveal themselves to you. When an emergency situation arises, it is imperative to have the right equipment on hand– or know exactly where you can lay your hands on it. Most people keep emergency first aid items in their barn, and avid trail riders and people who regularly haul their horses can give you good lists of equipment to have in your saddlebag or your trailer.

But don’t forget your everyday exposure to horses, and those times you’re likely to be with them alone (most of the time for a lot of us). You can’t prepare for everything, but with a little foresight (and some basic knowledge of tools and easy access to them), you might just save a horse’s life.