Disaster preparedness

What does it mean to be prepared for a disaster? It means having a list of pre-planned actions that enable rapid decision making. Emergencies and disasters are not the time to be making initial decisions.  Use the following information to develop a plan and organize supplies for multiple possibilities. ​

For individual horse emergencies, your plan should include the following:

• Veterinarian phone number
• Agent/decision-maker in place in case you cannot be reached   and for triage purposes
• Budget/Insurance
• Keep insurance information easily accessible
• Transportation
• Have at least two trailering options
• Be confident at a basic physical exam and first aid/wound care 

For disaster planning, the first step is to analyze your risk of adverse events, such as wildfires, earthquakes, barn fires, tsunamis, etc.  Secondly, a barn/neighborhood action plan is key. ​

​Start with communication and set up a phone tree.

• Use LANDLINES to call- cell towers may not work
• Texting can often work when phone calls won’t go through
• Write down phone numbers in case your phone runs out of battery power
• Keep updated with state/local emergency alerts
• Local Animal Response Teams are a wealth of information
• https://contracostacart.org/index.html  ​

Transportation is the next hurdle- know the following:

• Where you are going (contact office of emergency services to find out where to evacuate in your area; consider making pre-arrangements to board at another facility away from the danger zone)
• How to get there (have at least two routes planned)
• Who will drive the trailer
• Also, be sure the trailer and truck are ready to go. Keep the hauling vehicle full of fuel, and make sure the tires, hitch, and flooring are all in good shape 
• Evacuate early- as the disaster progresses and evacuations become mandatory, officials may not let trailers through certain routes
• Be sure horses are trained to load 

Identification and paperwork:

• Photo of horse markings/brands/tattoo
• Photo of you with the horse
• Livestock marker for writing a phone number on the horse
• Braid luggage tag into the mane
• Permanent marker on the hooves with phone number
• Microchip
• ID tags on the halter

Have the following paperwork handy: 

• Current vaccination records/Coggins test (Starwood Equine clients can access this information through the client portal)
• Microchip paperwork
• List of any current medications and dosing
• Travel papers/health certificates to cross state lines
• Copies of ownership paperwork 
• Insurance paperwork- keep current
• Map of the local area with emergency facilities 
• Cash for gas/other things you may need

For each horse, have the following: ​

• Halter and lead (breakaway or leather); keep accessible and not in a locked tack trunk
• Feed/water for at least 72 hours (10-20 gallons of water per day/ hay for 48-72 hours)
• Current medications

Have a first aid kit with you in your vehicle:

• wire cutters
• wound care (betadine solution, saline flush, gauze, nonstick pad, Neosporin)
• bandage material (roll gauze, vet wrap, leg wraps)
• thermometer
• duct tape 
• stethoscope
• knife
• portable radio
• flashlight and extra batteries

If you have to leave your horses behind:

• Leave them in a pre-selected, cleared area (arena, dry lot, large pastures)
• Close off the barn so they do not go back inside 
• Leave enough hay for 48-72 hours
• DO NOT rely on automatic waterers (power may be lost)
• Leave buckets and troughs full

In the Thomas fire, livestock that was left out was largely spared because they could navigate around the fire; firefighters will cut fences if they need to.

After a disaster:

​Inspect the barn, pastures, and fencing before putting horses back.

Smoke Factors:

• Limit exercise when smoke is present
• Plenty of fresh water will help the animals be able to clear their airways of the smoke particles
• 4-6 weeks of rest to allow damaged airways to heal