Regardless of whether you stay or evacuate, start early to clean up your property and remove all debris that may be tossed around by hurricane winds. If you plan to weather the storm at home, here are some guidelines:
- The choice of keeping your horse in a barn or an open field is entirely up to you. Use common sense, taking into consideration barn structure, trees, power lines, and the condition of surrounding properties.
- Remove all items from the barn aisles and walls, and store them in a safe place.
- Have two weeks supply of hay (wrapped in plastic or waterproof tarp) and feed (stored in plastic water-tight containers). Place these supplies in the highest and driest area possible.
- Take two plywood boards and spray paint on one side of each board, "HAVE ANIMALS, NEED HELP." On the other side of each board paint, "HAVE ANIMALS IS OK FOR NOW." Put both plywood boards with your feed supply.
- Fill clean plastic garbage cans with water, secure the tops, and place them in the barn.
- Prepare an emergency animal care kit (waterproof) with all the items you normally use: medications, salves, ointments, vet wraps, bandages, tape, etc. Place the kit in a safe place where you can get to it after a storm.
- Have an emergency barn kit containing a chain saw and fuel, hammers, a saw, nails, screws and fencing materials. Place this kit in a secure area before the storm hits.
- Have an ample supply of flashlights and batteries, and at least one battery-operated radio.
- Using camper tie-downs, secure all vehicles, trailers and maintenance equipment.
- Notify neighbors where you will be during the storm.
- Before leaving the barn, attach identification to all horses.
- Turn off circuit breakers to the barn before leaving. A power surge could cause sparks and fire.
- Do not stay in the barn with your horse during the storm.
- Place a supply of water and hay with each horse.
Remember, trees could be down blocking roads, and you may not be able to return to the barn immediately following the storm. Leave two buckets of water in your horse's stall.
Neighborhood Disaster Committees
Most horse owners live in horse communities. Contact your neighbors long before hurricane season, and organize your own neighborhood disaster committee. Schedule meetings at which horse owners discuss who has what in the way of equipment, concrete barns, flood areas, etc., and explore ways in which neighbors can help neighbors to accomplish a great deal. Contact your county animal disaster team and they will be glad to help you form such a committee.
Animal Identification
The following list includes a variety of alternatives from which you can choose:
- Take a picture of your horse with a family member in the photo as well. Then staple a copy of your current Coggins test to the picture with any other information such as tattoos, microchip ID, special scars and any other permanent identification, your local vet's name and number and any medications your horse may need. Place all these items in a zip-lock bag, and keep them in a safe place where you can get to them after a hurricane.
- Purchase fetlock ID bands and place them on both front feet before a hurricane hits.
- Put a leather halter on your horse with a luggage tag attached showing the horse's address, phone number and owner's name and any medication information. Write any special needs on an index card; place this inside a small zip-lock bag, and wrap it around the side of the halter with tape.
- Take a second luggage tag with the same information and braid it into the horse's tail hair.Caution: Do NOT tie the tag around the tail; this would cut off circulation.
- Neck ID bands with the same information can also be used. Check with your local tack store.
- Using small animal clippers, body clip the same phone number your horse's neck.
- A permanent method of identification is Freeze Branding. For further information on this option, check out: www.horseweb.com/kka
- Do not put a copy of the horse's Coggins test on the horse. Animal Rescue may not be the ones to find your horse. A coggins test is a passport out of state and, as we learned from Andrew, not everyone is honest.
One of the goals of Animal Rescue is to find loose horses and get them reunited with the owners as soon as possible. These suggestions will help tremendously. Remember, you cannot have too much identification with your horse