Horseketeers Pony Club

FIRE PREPARATION:

Be sure to keep shrubs and palmettoes 50' from the barn.

Install ground rods.

Use metal conduit for wiring inside the barn and underground use pvc.

Use industrial extension cords.

Inspect cords regularly for signs of chewing from rats and mice.

Install smoke detectors.

Have fire extinguishers every 40' and at both ends of the barn. They will not extinguish the fire but can allow time to get animals out.

Store hay and shavings in seperate building.

Keep cobwebs and dust to a minimum.

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING (enough said)

Do not store gas cans or lawn equipment in barn.

Use a metal trashcan instead of rubber. If a fire starts, the metal will help contain it.

Make sure your driveway is clear for a fire truck to reach the barn. Trim trees and bushes. The closer a fire truck can get to your barn, the faster they can start putting the fire out.

Install easy to read street address at road.

IN WILDFIRE SITUATIONS:

Evacuate early. You may not get a second chance.

Keep tranquilizers on hand. Fire trucks, helicopters and fire can aggitate some horses.

Make sure your horses load!

HURRICANE PREPARATION:

Make a plan NOW and stick to it! Have a backup plan in case the hurricane changes its path.

To consider for evacuating:

-Elevation

-Flood Zone

-Building construction

Category of storm

EVACUATING:

If evacuating, know routes. Plan on traffic.

Evacuate a day or 2 earlly. Better to evacuate for no reason than to evacuate and be stuck in traffic with a trailer full of horses.

If evacuating, take your horses and pets. You don't know when or if you can return.

Have an evacuation kit.

Make sure your horses are current on vaccinations and coggins NOW.

Keep current photos of your horse from different angles. Include close ups of scars and markings.

NOW is the time to locate potential evacuation sites. Contact them now to find out requirements.

 Travel with 3-7 days worth of feed, hay and water.

IF YOU STAY:

Stock up on feed and hay. Make sure it is high and dry. Cover with a tarp.

Fill every container with water.

During storm, leave halter on horse.

Have 2 types of ID on your horse.

TYPES OF ID:

-Microchips

-Freeze markings

-Tattoos

-Front and side view photos WITH YOU IN THE PICTURE

-Bill of sale

EMERGENCY ID's:

-Paint hooves

-Body marking with livestock chalk

-Neck banding

-ID tags on halter

-Braid ID tag into mane or tail. Use a small baggie with emergency info

-Velcro strips along coronet band with owner info

-NEVER INCLUDE YOUR COGGINS

-USE MORE THAN ONE ID METHOD

-DO NOT LEAVE A NON-BREAKAWAY HALTER ON YOUR HORSE

-INCLUDE A PHONE # OF AN OUT OF STATE CONTACT. Chances are land line and cell phones may be down

TO LEAVE IN OR OUT?

Whether you choose to leave your horse in or out during a hurricane is a personal decision. There is much debate about which is safer.

If you leave your horse inside:
-You risk collapsing roof

-If you have runs, leave the doors open for escape in case of collapse

If you turn out:

-You subject your horse to flying debris

-Make sure pasture is clear of possible flying missles. The smallest object can become deadly.

-Downed fence line can make for escapes.

-If your horse escapes, he is subjected to being hit by cars and being electrocuted from down power lines (the 2 biggest causes of death to animals during Hurricane Andrew)

EQUINE EVACUATION KIT:

3-7 day supply of feed, water and hay

Bandanas (blindfolds)

Batteries, flashlight, radio

Copies of vet records, coggins and proof of ownership

Duct tape

Emergency contact list

First Aid kit

Flashlight

Fly spray

Heavy gloves

Hoof instruments

Instructions for feeding and medications

Knife

Leg wraps

Maps of local and alternative evacuation routes

Medications

Leather/break away halters and cotton lead ropes

Paper towels

Plastic trash cans to store water

Radio

Rope

Shovel

Tranquilizers

Tarps

Trash bags

Twitch

Water and feed buckets

Wire cutters

Water purifier (bleach)