Natural Disaster Plan

Living in Oklahoma, we get some crazy weather! Which means, you have to be prepared all the time for a tornado, grass fire or even strong winds that can be damaging.  After the recent tornadoes that swept through our state, I found myself wondering if I was as prepared as I could be. Turns out, I’m not!! So, I decided to come up with a list for myself to help keep track of important items and make sure I had each one readily available at a moment’s notice. As I started doing more research and getting tips from others, I began to compile a list of things that you need to have on hand all the time. The first list is for your info binder. I like to use 3-ring binders with plastic sheet protectors so I can just slide in important papers and keep them protected from the elements. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to include in your binder…

• Current proof of Coggins test & vaccines
• Any past vet records that you may have
• Ownership records & any official breed papers
• Current photos of each side, front and back of your horse (Appys’ spots change frequently, so it’s important to switch the photos out fairly often!)
• A description page of your horse’s markings, brands, tattoos and microchip number (if you have one)
• List of what your horse eats (including supplements) and any special dietary restrictions or concerns (allergies, etc…)
• Contact information sheet that includes your contact info, your vet’s contact info, your farrier’s contact info and any alternate contact numbers

 

The next list is for your tack room…

• A first aid kit for your horse (be sure to include lots of Vetrap!)
• A first aid kit for humans
• Spare non-melting halters (make sure each horse has one too and is near the stalls)
• At least a 3-day feed supply for each horse
• Portable buckets
• Portable water tanks (I’ve heard you can also use plastic trash cans with unscented trash bags for water in an emergency)
• A few large bandanas (in case you have to blindfold your horse to get him out)
• Fire extinguisher
• Battery powered radio

Other things you need to prepare for in advance…

• Make sure all of your horses load onto a trailer easily in case you have to evacuate quickly
• Keep a small first aid kit for both horse & human in your trailer
• Keep your trailer clean and make sure it’s always ready to use (or have a friend who will help out with a trailer in an emergency)
• Create a plan of evacuation for your barn: which horses leave first, who gets horses, who gets supplies, etc…
• Have a safe place to take your horses in case of an emergency (neighboring farm or vet clinic)
• Place battery powered smoke detectors in your hay storage area, tack room and in barn aisles
• Place metal tags with your name and contact info on your horse’s halter

 

Specific Situations

It’s important to stay calm in any emergency situation because the old saying is true: “your horse can only be as confident as you are”. Take a few seconds to assess the situation in order to ensure safety for both you and your horse. There are some situations, however, that can be hard to navigate.

Tornados:

Growing up in Oklahoma, I know what I’m supposed to do in case of a tornado. But what about the horses? Or other livestock? They say it’s best to leave a horse in an open pasture rather than in the barn if you know there will be strong winds and tornadic activity. Leaving a horse in the barn when a tornado has been spotted on the ground can be very dangerous for the horse if the barn collapses on top of him! Leaving him turned out can be safer, but he will be exposed to flying debris and lightening. My opinion? Load him up in the trailer and drive as far away in the other direction as you can! (But do this far enough in advance that you won’t run into another storm or tons of traffic!) The only safe place during a tornado is underground and that isn’t an option for 99.9% of horses. It’s also not an option for many humans. Why take a risk and stay when, with enough time to prepare, you could potentially avoid the entire situation. If you don’t have time to pack up and leave safely, use your best judgement as you keep a close eye on the local weather reporting. Sometimes the threat of hail can add confusion to the decision on whether or not to turn out or leave your horse in the barn. I tend to keep my horse in the barn during hail storms and strong thunder storms where the threat of lightening is also involved. The structure of your barn is also an important thing to consider. Wood/metal barns tend to be less sturdy than concrete or cinder block barns, but nothing will withstand a direct hit from a tornado.

 

Fire Safety:

There are many things you can do in advance to help make your barn safer and reduce the risk of fires! Here is a list of things that you can do in your existing barn (interior and exterior) and some that you can consider when building a barn to make life safer for you and your horses…

• Make sure your address is posted clearly at your barn’s entrance
• Post “NO SMOKING” signs all over your property
• Make sure your driveway can accommodate a fire engine or emergency vehicle
• Let the fire department know where all of the water sources are on your property
• Clear all debris, weeds and dead vegetation from around your home and barn
• Trim overhanging trees on your property
• Have a sprinkler system inside of your stable if possible
• Clearly mark utility shutoffs
• Install updated fire extinguishers at each exit (One every 50 feet – minimum 10 pound extinguishers).
• Make sure everyone in the stable knows how to use the fire extinguisher
• Have more than one doorway from the inside leading out the barn and make sure they’re unlocked
• Make sure all electrical wire is encased in non-corrosive conduit
• Enclose all light fixtures in safety cages
• Do not use extension cords anywhere in the barn!
• Cobwebs, hay, and debris should be removed on a weekly basis
• Keep every horse’s halter on their stall doors
• Every horse and every boarder should practice emergency evacuation procedures (horses should practice with and without a blindfold)
• Store hay and shavings at least 50 feet away from the barn – not above the horses
• Store all fuel and chemicals at least 50 feet away from the barn
• Make sure barn aisles are clear of any hazards, including hay bales, tack boxes, electrical cords, and cleaning equipment such as rakes.
• You must have clear and easy access to a secure space away from the barn where horses will be evacuated
• Install lightning protection on top of the barn.
• Use flame retardant paints, varnishes, and coatings on the wood in the barn.
• If possible, design your property to use a “run out” method of fire evacuation for the horses, where you can open the stall doors to the outside wall, chase the horses out into the aisle (without having to individually catch them), close the stall door, and let the horses run down the aisle to a safe paddock at least 100 feet from the barn

 

After a disaster…

 

Some helpful products…

• Metal tags – you can make them at Petsmart in the machines with your name and contact info – keep a few extra on hand for your horse’s halter or to braid into their manes if you know a storm is coming.
• “Ride Alert” ID tags are another safety precaution that’s great for disasters and has also been helpful for people who ride alone and/or trail riders! They also have tags for travel!
• Calming paste – I like Quietex – this can be given to your horse a few hours before an event like a tornado or even 4th of July fireworks and will prevent your horse from becoming overly excited. I keep at least one of these on hand at all times.
• Livestock Marking Crayons – available in many farm & ranch stores in a variety of colors – are a cheap and easy way to help identify your horse – write your number and be sure to include some other mark such as a symbol in a specific spot (star on the right front hoof, etc…) that could help others know that the horse they found was definitely yours