HORSE PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANES

The following information is provided by the Large Animal Disaster Committee

1. Start now to pick up and clean up your property.  Try to involve and help your neighbors do the same.  Loose items and debris can become lethal missiles in a storm.
2. Check your fences, be sure they are sturdy and in good condition.  In a Class 1 or 2 hurricane, the Committee recommends animals may be safest in a reasonably sturdy barn.  In a Class 3 or 4 hurricane, your animals may be safest in a large pasture with room to move around and utilize their best instincts.  This should only be done if:

   (a)  There are no electrical wires that can create a hazard with the water that will ensue from heavy rains;

   (b)  The fences are in good repair. The Committee recommends board fences that are nailed to the posts on the inside.  So if a horse pushes or leans against them, the nails are pushed further into the post, securing the rails, rather than pushing the rails away from the post.  Barb wire fencing is not recommended as it will injure the horse.  Chain link and horse wire fences are not recommended because they will collect debris, and quite likely go down, allowing your horse to get loose.

3. Identify your horse by using at least 3 forms of identification.  Plan ahead to have appropriate materials to ID your horse on hand at all times.

(a)  Spray paint your telephone number with the area code, on the side of the animal.  Acrylic paint is recommended.  This will wear off in one or two weeks.

(b)  Attach a fetlock band or mare band to your animal with your name, address and telephone number on it in permanent ink.

(c)  Braid a luggage tag into the main or tail, close to the base.  Again, be sure its water proofed and in permanent ink.

(d)  Attach the pertinent information to the halter.  Secure tightly in a ziplock bag, and securely tap with packing tape to the halter.

(e)  Freeze branding, microchip IDs, tattoos are permanent forms of identification.  However, rescuers need to know to look for microchips and tattoos, and they have to be registered and kept current when animals change hands to serve their purpose.  More visible identification is more serviceable in a disaster.

(f)  Be sure to have photographs of you and your animal to prove ownership.  Be sure photographs show any distinguishing markings.  Keep photos in a safe dry place and send one copy of out of the area.

4. Be sure that your horse is wearing a leather halter.  The halter will make it much easier for someone to catch your horse if it gets loose.  A leather halter is more likely to break loose if the horse gets caught on something, a nylon halter will not.
   
5. It is strongly suggested that your horse have on bell boots to protect its legs.
   
6. If you plan to evacuate your animal out of the area, plan now for where you will go, and also leave early.  Remember that traffic will be heavy and you do not want to get caught on the road with animals in horse trailers.  They are unstable in high winds, and horses can easily be injured in the event of an accident.
   
7. Plan for water and feed for your animals.  Water is critical, and remember that water on the ground may quickly become contaminated.  Plan for 12 gallons per day per animal.  Hay is the most critical food for a disaster.  There is less danger of the animal foundering.  Plan to store up off the ground, and in a dry place.
   
8. Begin to evaluate your barn or stable for its resistance to hurricane winds.  Be sure roofs are strong and strapped down and that doors and gates are secure.  The Committee has more information on this topic forthcoming.
   
9. A final point and a strong recommendation is that you have on hand a supply of basic first aid items (i.e.:  bandages, anesthetics, etc.).

The The Broward County Large Animal Disaster Planning Committee (LADC) is asking all County horse and large animal owners to register their animals. This will assist in the safe return of the animals in the event that they get loose in an emergency situation.
Registering your animals does not mean that you should not identify them clearly prior to a hurricane or other threatened emergency. You still will need to spray paint your telephone number on your horse, and add other previously suggested identification formats.
To register your large animal, contact the Broward County Large Animal Disaster Planning Committee at 954-370-3725 or register online at Broward.org.
Information obtained from of the Broward County website; compiled by Mary Peters, Extension Education, Coordinator, Large Animal Disaster Committee and Mark Phillips, D.V.M., Millpond Equine Clinic, Veterinary Chair, Large Animal Disaster Committee.

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