Horse owners need to prepare for storms

Hurricane readiness includes planning for equine needs such as food and water.

By CHRISTINA K. COSDON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 24, 2002

It's tough enough to prepare a family of humans for hurricane season. The owners of more than 4,000 horses in Pinellas County have to do some major planning.

Horse owners have three basic options if a storm is bearing down on the Tampa Bay area: Turn their animals loose in a fenced pasture, secure them in stables or load them in trailers to evacuate.

Option three nearly requires a crystal ball. Owners should be on the road at least 72 hours before a storm is to hit -- that's long before watches or warnings are issued. But if they wait until the forecasters say the storm is approaching, they run the risk of having the trailers blown off the road, stuck in traffic gridlock or tipped over by high winds and as little as a foot of fast-moving water.

As for the other options, disaster experts disagree on whether horses should be turned out in large pastures or kept inside stalls during a storm. Some believe horses are better protected from dangerous flying debris if they remain in their stalls. But there's the chance that a stall will be blown apart or collapse.

Other experts say horses are safer left in the open, ideally in a large pasture with no overhead power lines and with high areas that won't flood and low areas for water. Loose horses, however, cannot dodge storm-driven flying objects.

Many horses that survived Hurricane Andrew, deprived of food and water for days, died from kidney failure because of dehydration or were killed by downed power lines.

Pinellas County's Disaster Animal Relief program has designated Walsingham Park in Largo as a safe pasture where horses can be released before a hurricane. For information, call Pinellas County Animal Services at 582-2600.

No matter which option you choose, consider the following guidelines.

Disasterproof your barn. Store combustibles such as gas cans, cleaning supplies, aerosol cans and oily rags in fire resistant containers in an area away from the barn. Clear cobwebs, which are flame spreaders, from rafters, walls and light fixtures. Grain, hay and bedding materials are extremely combustible and should be stored a safe distance from the barn. Ladders, shovels, wheelbarrows, mowers and other equipment should also be stored away from the barn. Trailers and vehicles should be tied down away from trees and buildings. Shut off main electrical breakers and close gas and water valves. Unplug appliances.

Identification. Take photographs of horses from all angles, as well as photos of the horses with family members. Paint horses' names and owners names and phone numbers in large letters on the horses' sides and hips with all-weather, long-lasting leadfree and nontoxic sticks used for marking livestock (available at feed stores). Names and phone numbers can be painted on horses hooves with fingernail polish. Use leather bridles and fly masks to protect eyes from wind-whipped debris and shavings. Permanent identification methods include freeze branding, standard branding and microchips. Horses should have up-to-date tetanus boosters and encephalitis shots. Store copies of Coggins tests, vaccinations, insurance papers and other information in a waterproof container.

Water and feed. Water is the most urgent need for horses after a natural disaster. Water deprivation leads to dehydration and serious digestive problems. Stockpile at least 20 gallons of water per horse per day. Store in troughs, large tanks or barrels throughout the property and secure them against damage. Keep bottles of household bleach to kill contaminates in the water (one ounce treats 20 gallons of water) or buy water-purification tablets. Have an additional two weeks worth of feed, hay and medications.

Disaster kits. Kits should include all the items normally used: salves, medications, ointments, wraps, bandages, duct tape, fly spray, towels, halters and leads with ID tags, water buckets, fire extinguishers. Store in waterproof containers. Fire extinguishers, flashlights and extra water buckets should be kept handy.

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