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Disaster preparedness

5/21/2020

2 Comments

 
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. ​
Picture
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: ​

Picture
  • 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:

Picture
  • 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 
2 Comments
MckimmeCue link
4/19/2022 01:14:39 am

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Mia Evans link
6/2/2022 10:49:59 pm

Thanks for pointing out that the horse should be fed and watered about 72 hours per day or about 10 to 20 gallons of it. It would probably be better to have an automatic horse waterer to ensure that the animal will not run out of it. My daughter has always wanted to have this kind of pet, so I should learn what are needed to ensure that it will be in good condition while in our care.

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  • Our Practice
    • Our Team
    • Our Patients
    • Our Clients
    • Employment
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    • Starwood Shop
  • Services
    • Emergency 24x7
    • COVID-19
    • Sports Medicine
    • Preventive Care
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    • TeleHealth
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