Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness for Horses
The time to prepare for evacuating horses is well in advance of a storm. When a hurricane is threatening your area, the first order of priority is to save human lives but with proper planning, we can save the lives of our horses as well.
Table of Contents
Decisions
Well in advance of an storm or other natural disaster, decide how bad things will have to be before you evacuate with your horses. For example, in the case of a hurricane, will you evacuate if it is a category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Decide on two possible evacuation shelters in opposite directions so that, depending on the direction of the storm or changes in it’s path, you will already have chosen a safe place. Once you make your choices, make sure you know what the shelters require.
Documents
You will need a current negative Coggins certificate on each horse that you plan to move to a safer location. Make sure your horse is current on vaccinations for tetanus and encephalitis viruses (Eastern, Western and West Nile) Network a plan with the horse owning neighbors in your area and be prepared to help each other during a disaster.
If you plan to move your horses to another state, you may be required to have a recent health certificate from a veterinarian. You should have a copy of the horse’s medical history, including your veterinarians contact information, and a signed permission for emergency treatment that goes with the horse. You can set the mazimum amount you will be willing to pay without personal notification, but if you don’t sign an approval for emergency treatment, it could cost your horse’s life. Make copies of your emergency treatment and horse health history forms, place them in plastic bags, seal them well and tape them to the horse’s halter. If someone else is hauling your horse, do not include the Coggins or health certificate, as possession of these documents can allow anyone who has possession of your horse to take them out of the state without your knowledge.
Medications
If your horse requires special medications or must be sedated for hauling, have these supplies on hand and send them with the horse along with instructions for their use.
Identification
Each horse must have either a micro-chip, a tattoo, brand or ID bands affixed to their halter for identification. Of all these forms, the micro-chip is the best means of tracking the horse and contacting it’s owner. It is low cost and highly effective. In addition, use latex spray paint or clippers to clip your phone number on the horse’s back or use indelible ink (permanent) marker to write on a wide ribbon your horse’s description, your name and contact information, or use a light weight luggage tag or business card size paper that you laminate with this information and braid them into each horse’s mane and tail, or use latex paint to paint your name and number on the horse’s side. If you are required to evacuate, use the number of a relative or close friend who will know how to reach you and who is aware of what you will want done concerning emergency medical treatment of your horses. This person should live in an area not affected by the storm.
Emergency Boarding
Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. In cold weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before placing birds inside. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the bird’s feathers periodically. Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Have a photo for identification and leg bands. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area. Do not let the birds out of the cage or carrier.
Tack
All horses should be shipped with their own halter and lead ropes. (Halters can carry diseases, so make sure that the halter is clean and that it was not used on a sick animal. Do not saddle horses prior to shipping. Do not halter horses that left behind in the field as halters can become entangled in debris and cause the horse serious injury or death.
Trailer
Check your trailer to make certain that it is safe to transport horses. Check the floor, the tires, the brakes and lights, and the hitch ball to make certain they are in good working order. Plan to move you horses while the storm if at least 4 days away. Once the governor calls for mandatory evacuation, no commercial vehicles or horse trailers may not be allowed on certain evacuation routes. In addition, contra flow could make evacuations with horses very uncomfortable.
Truck
Check to make sure your truck is ready to pull the trailer. Check the hitch to make sure it is secure and in proper working order. Keep the gas tank full at all times during hurricane season, since gas stations can sell out quickly when a storm is approaching. DO NOT carry full gas cans in your horse trailer.
Commercial Haulers
If you plan to use a commercial hauler, you must arrange to have them pick the horse up well in advance of mandatory evacuation.
Feed
Pack enough feed and hay to last each horse for at least one week and send it with them.
Prioritize
If you have a trailer that does not have the capacity to transport all of your horses, decide now which ones you will transport first. Plan so that you have plenty of time to make necessary round trips long before mandatory evacuations are ordered.
Emergency Fencing
Purchase several rolls of orange plastic construction fencing that can be used to temporarily repair damaged fencing. It can be put in place with a staple gun to trees or to wooden fence posts.
Barn/Stable Preparation
Store all loose items, jump standards, jump cups, cross rails, arena letters, bleachers, furniture, etc. inside the barn or storage area so that these items do not become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Secure all gates. Clear items not permanently and securely attached from all aisle ways and barn walls and store them in a safe place. Do not stay in the barn with your horses during the storm.
Signs
Make signs with a full 4’ X 8’ sheet of wood or a king size flat sheet, using large letters and dark spray paint - on one side “Have injured animals, need help” and on the other side “Have animals, am ok for now”. Store the signs in a safe place in case they are needed after the storm.
Horses that Remain in Place
If you cannot move your horse and are in an area prone to flooding or severe wind damage, leave you horses in a covered area but do not close the doors or gates. If water begins to rise and the horses are trapped inside their stalls, they will drown. If the barn is damaged by wind, the horses will be unable to move out of the way of falling debris if they are shut in their stalls. Make sure the horses have access to plenty of safe water and hay or grass as it may be up to a week or more before you are able to get back to them. If you leave the horses outside, make sure the location is free of power lines and other potentially hazardous conditions. Do not leave them outside with halters on.
Emergency Horse Supplies
You should have a supply of topical antiseptics, gauze pads, vet wrap, antibiotics and pain medication. If possible, try to attend some emergency first aid training classes for horses before a disaster strikes. Having the ability to clean and bandage wounds, give shots and other medications may be crucial to caring for your horses in the event of a storm when you might not be able to get in touch with a veterinarian for several days.
Make sure the have access to feed, hay and water in the event that a storm wipes out your barn and feed room. Wrap hay securely in water proof tarps or plastic. Store feed in tightly sealed, water tight containers. Move wrapped hay and containers to the highest possible spot. Do not use feed or hay that has been in flood waters. Fill clean plastic garbage cans with water, cover tightly and store in a safe place. To prevent colic, if your horse has been injured or stressed, limit the amount of grain and give clean, mold-free hay until the horse is calm.
Emergency Barn Kit
Put together a chain saw and fuel, hammers, a hand saw, nails, screws, fencing materials and fire ant killer. Place the kit in a secure area before the storm hits. Have an ample supply of flashlights and batteries . Listen to local radio stations in your area for updates.
Secure all vehicles, trailers and maintenance equipment with camper tie downs.
Follow Up
If your horse has been transported to an emergency boarding facility, call and verify that your horse was received and make sure you have all of their contact information.
Contacts
When a hurricane is threatening, contact the head of your local office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness or Civil Defense to find out more information about options for livestock in your area.
After the Storm is Over
Going Outside
Be very careful. Live electric wires can be lying all around you. Locate your animals and tend to any wounds. Check fencing and put up emergency fencing where needed. Carefully try to clean debris from the barn and clear the driveway to the road.
Check Stalls
Make sure they are clean of debris, water and snakes before putting your horses back in them. Do not put your hands into places where you cannot see. Snakes can be hiding in them.
Signs
Put out the appropriate signs to show whether or not you are okay or need help in a place that is visible to passing traffic and to low flying aircraft.
Fire Ants and Snakes
Ants and snakes will look for the driest place to nest and will move from wet to high ground when their nests flood. Check your barn/stall walls and feed/hay areas. Ants will also seek refuge from wet ground on fence rails and tree branches, so take care when clearing debris after a storm. Do not put hands or feet in places where you cannot see. Snakes will also hide between hay bales and banked shavings.
Fencing
Check your entire fence line for damage and either repair it or put up emergency orange plastic construction fencing to keep your horses from getting onto roads or other potentially dangerous situations.