Group of riders admiring the sunset at Ant's Lodges, Waterberg in South Africa

Health checklist

Your riding holiday health checklist!

We know how confusing and overwhelming the packing process can be. To make your life easier, the Equus Journeys team has come together to give you the “Healthy Traveller” checklist, so you are prepared to travel to any country our rides might take you!

Before you leave…

Check the travel advice for your country

Start by researching your destination and what are the health risks associated with each country. A good resource for this is https://www.masta-travel-health.com/. This website provides detailed information on vaccination recommendations, potential outbreaks and general health information.

Your Foreign Office or consular services website will also have a “health and safety” page for each country. For instance, see:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice (UK)

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ (Australia)

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/ (Ireland)

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list (US)

Visit your general practitioner

Schedule an appointment 3 to 6 months before your departure, or even 1 year if you are travelling to Asia or Africa. Discuss the destination(s) you plan to travel to with your doctor so that they can prescribe the necessary medication and vaccinations, but also give you any extra recommendations. Don't forget to ask them to provide you with a prescription for the medication you might bring and any medical problems or allergies you may have. This list will be useful at customs in case you are checked.

Note: Make sure to ask your doctor if your usual vaccinations are up to date (Tetanus, BCG, …).

Travel insurance

Travel insurance covers you in case of problems and, above all, replaces or complements your health insurance when you are abroad. It gives you peace of mind and will cover your medical expenses. Make sure that the policy you choose covers all the activities you want to do during your stay. Read it carefully to check what is and isn’t covered and whether the transfers to a proper hospital are provided in case of emergency treatment in your destination, as well as repatriation.

European Health Insurance Card

For European riders only - If you are travelling within Europe remember to order your European health insurance card from your health insurance fund. This card allows you to be reimbursed for necessary health care incurred during temporary stays in the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

It is used in the event of a temporary stay in the territory of a State Member, regardless of the nature of the stay. It is free of charge and valid for 2 years.

Note: If you are travelling in a group, each individual must have their own card even if they are minors.

UK riders should get a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have an EHIC it will still be valid as long as it remains in date. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date and your kits are ready. Make sure everything is packed zipped lock plastic bags. Take the doctor's letter with you and make a copy (you can also take a picture of it with your smartphone) to put in your luggage in case you lose the original. Take the necessary adapters if you need to use electronic devices. Lastly, take your medication with you in your hand luggage – if your checked bag is delayed or lost, you will have your essential items with you!

What should you take with you?

When going on a trip it is easy to give priority to technological gadgets and riding gear however you should never forget about your health. Depending on the continent you are headed to there are different things that you should keep in mind.

Basic Kit: This Kit is ideal for your stays in Europe, North America and Oceania however it should also be the foundation for ALL your trips, no matter where you are going. You might be able to find these kits available for purchase at your local pharmacy, or you can make it yourself which will make it more efficient since you will be choosing the products that work best for you. This kit will address common injuries like cuts, blisters, burns, sprains …

First Aid Checklist

· Personal medication + prescriptions

· General antibiotic + prescription

· Aspirin or paracetamol

· Antidiarrhoeals

· Eye drops

· Scaring cream

· Ointment for bruises/aches (e.g. Voltarol)

· Bandages (various shapes and sizes)

· Sterile gauze

· Tweezers

“Advanced” Kit: As a complement to the basic travel kit, this one is perfect to accompany you on your holidays in South America, Africa and Asia. Here are the things you should add:

· Medication to treat dehydration, severe diarrhoea, dysentery or other intestinal infections and ENT infections

· Water purification tablets

· Rehydration sachets

· Insect repellent, preferably containing deet

Mind the following…

Altitude

If you are planning on riding at high elevations (if riding in Nepal or Ladhak in Asia, or in the Andes in South America) alk to your doctor about appropriate medication to manage headaches, sleeping disorders and other side effects of heights.

Mosquitoes and insect bites

We advise you to take special tropical mosquito and insect spray. There are also sprays for clothing and some sportswear brands that offer clothing that is effective against mosquito bites.

Water Purification

You can buy Micropur or Hydroclonazone tablets to disinfect the water. There are also straws and special bottles with UV lights to fil

Time to go!

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date and your kits are ready. Make sure everything is packed zipped lock plastic bags. Take the doctor's letter with you and make a copy (you can also take a picture of it with your smartphone) to put in your luggage in case you lose the original - also keep a passport copy in your emails. Take the necessary adapters if you need to use electronic devices. Lastly, take your medication with you in your hand luggage – if your checked bag is delayed or lost, you will have your essential items with you!