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Horses will require some special preparations
By CHRISTINA K. COSDON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 26, 2002
It's tough enough to prepare a family of humans for hurricane season. Horse lovers have to do some real 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 a trailer to evacuate.
The third option nearly requires a crystal ball. Owners should be on the road at least 72 hours before the storm is to hit -- that's long before watches or warnings will be issued. But if you wait until the forecasters say the storm is approaching, you run the risk of having your loaded trailer blown off the road, or being stuck in tremendous traffic or flash flooding.
As for the other two options, disaster experts disagree on whether horses should be turned out in large pastures or kept inside their stalls during the storm. Some experts think horses are better protected from dangerous flying debris if they remain in their stalls. But there's always the chance that a stall will be blown down or destroyed.
Other experts say horses are safer left in the open, ideally in a large pasture with no overhead power lines and with both high areas that won't flood and low areas for water. Loose horses, however, cannot dodge objects flying at a hundred miles an hour.
Many horses that initially survived Hurricane Andrew in south Florida were deprived of food and water for days, then died from kidney failure from dehydration or were killed by downed power lines. Horses that wandered through broken fences were hit and killed on the roadways or died entangled in barbed wire fences.
No matter which you choose, consider the following guidelines.
DISASTER PROOF YOUR BARN: Store combustibles such as gas cans, cleaning supplies, aerosol cans and oily rags in fire-resistant containers. Clear cobwebs from rafters, walls and light fixtures. Grain, hay and bedding materials are extremely combustible. Store them a safe distance from the barn and cover with flame-retardant tarpaulin. Dry horse manure is flammable. Dump it a safe distance from buildings. Keep stable surroundings clear of dry brush, grass and litter. Ladders, shovels, wheelbarrows, mowers and other equipment should 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 and remove fans to a safe area.
IDENTIFICATION: Take photographs of your horses from all angles, as well as photos of the horses with family members. Paint horses' names and your names and phone numbers in large letters on the horses' sides and hips with all-weather, long-lasting, lead-free and nontoxic sticks used for marking livestock (available at feed stores). Names and phone numbers can also be painted on 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 be up-to-date on tetanus boosters and encephalitis shots. Store copies of coggins tests, vaccinations, insurance papers and information on scars, tattoos, microchips and other permanent identification in a waterproof container.
WATER AND FEED: Water is the most urgent need for horses following 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 contaminants in the water (one ounce treats 20 gallons of water) or buy water-purification tablets. Install a hand pump on your well. Stockpile two weeks' worth of feed and hay and medications. After any disaster, it's difficult to predict how long barns will be cut off from feed suppliers. Cover feed and hay with flame-resistant tarps to protect from water, winds and flying embers.
DISASTER KITS: Kit should include all the items normally used: salves, medications, ointments, wraps, bandages, duct tape, fly spray, towels, halters and leads. Store in waterproof containers. Take two plywood boards and spray paint each with the message, "Have Animals, Need Help" and "Have Animals, Okay For Now." Boards can be placed by driveways near the road and in clear areas for planes or helicopters assessing damage after the storm.
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