Horse Training Lessons and Sales

Equine Emergency Preparedness

Here are some things you can do NOW to prepare for the next emergency:

Develop a plan of action to deal with each type of disasters that can occur in your area.

Pre-arrange locations for your horse(s) to be taken in case you must evacuate them. Map out different routes to these locations.

Post detailed instructions in several places (the barn office, tack room, horse trailer etc.) so that emergency workers can locate them in case you won’t be available to evacuate your animals.

Have your truck and trailer well maintained, full of gas and ready to go (including properly inflated tires) at all times. Practice loading your horse(s) on a regular basis (use a variety of trailers if possible).

Find the best location on your property to confine your horse(s) in each type of disaster. What source(s) of alternate water do you have in case power is lost and pumps and automatic waterers are not working after the disaster?

Have enough fresh water and hay on hand for at least 72 hours.
Keep a fire extinguisher near the entrance to each building and at the corrals.

Have your horse permanently identified (such as a tattoo,brand and/or microchip). Photograph or draw (4 views: front, rear, left and right side) each horse ahead of time so you will be able to prove ownership. Record its age, sex, breed, and color with your record of this identification.

Have a halter (with a permanent tag with your name and phone number attached) and lead rope for each horse readily available.

Make sure your horse(s) vaccinations and medical records are up-to-date and that you have proof. Some evacuation sites may turn you away without it.

Have documentation of any medicines with dosing instructions, special feeding instructions, etc.

Consider that you may wear different or unusual clothing during a disaster. Prepare your horse(s) for oddly colored, flowing and noisy clothing ahead of time.
Have your horse(s) familiar with emergency procedures and common activities they might encounter during a disaster. Desensitize them to flashlights, flashing lights, sirens, etc.

Prepare to EVACUATE EARLY. If you wait too long the roads may be jammed and you may interfere with emergency equipment.

Prepare an equine evacuation kit (see below).

Prepare an equine first aid kit (see below).

Make previous arrangements with neighbors and friends to check on each other after a disaster.

Items you might consider putting into your equine evacuation kit:

Rope Radio Shovel Towels	Bandanas Blankets Leg wraps Twitch	Water buckets Leather gloves Trash bags Wire cutters
First aid kit 1-2 weeks supply of food & water Extra halters & leads (non-nylon if possible) ID badge Copies of current medical/vaccination records Proof of ownership Detailed instructions for feeding/medicating If horses are on medications, extra supplies of medications or copies of prescriptions Hoof pick, hoof knife, hoof nippers, hoof rasp Out of area telephone contact Multi-tool (Leatherman) Sharp, all purpose knife Flashlight and batteries Flat tire repair kit

Items you might consider putting into your equine first aid kit:

Gauze pads/rolls
Bandages, scissors & tape
Elastic/stretch bandaging tape
(such as 3M Vetrap)
Hydrogen peroxide
Scrub solution (such as Betadine)
Isopropyl alcohol & prep pads
Saline solution
Towels/washcloths
Antibiotic ointment for wounds
Antibiotic ointment for eyes
Sterile eye rinse
Mineral oil
Sterile lubricant
Tourniquet
Tweezers
Thermometer
Latex gloves

Equine Emergency Preparedness
Resources

FEMA
(Federal Emergency Management Agency)

AAEP
(American Association of
Equine Practitioners)

AVMA
(American Veterinary Medical Association)

HSUS
(Humane Society of the United States)

The checklists on this page are simply a reference and may serve as a good starting point if you are not already prepared for a disaster. I strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian(s) for each different animal you own in regard to putting an evacuation kit and/or first aid kit together. I also recommend that you do your own research regarding veterinarians and boarding facilities. Having copies from a recent yellow pages in each evacuation kit regarding any appropriate heading involving that type of animal would also be a good idea.