Hurricane Preparedness (8/25/98) from Bob Mowrey,
Extension Horse Husbandry
With the possibility of hurricanes once again hitting the North Carolina coast,
there are several preparations that horse farm owners can enact prior to a storm to
enhance their situation:
1) Contact your county extension office to obtain the name(s) of the REINS (Regional
Equine Information Network System) Coordinating Agents and volunteers who are
serving as Equine Disaster and Emergency Management Coordinators. A number of REINS
volunteers/organizations have received indepth training on disaster management. Several
REINS organizations have developed a disaster/emergency equine management plan for their
area. The REINS organizations will serve as the lead equine contact during an
mergency/disaster within an area.
Information Sources:
REINS web site: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/hhreins.htm
Extension Horse Husbandry Web site:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/hhmain.html
2) Secure structures on your farm:
- move loose objects indoors.
- tie jumps and poles together.
- Fill all water tubs.
3) Store drinking water (if possible a seven (7) day supply).
- allow for twenty (20) gallons of water/horse/day.
- line garbage cans with plastic bags and fill with water.
4) Order and store a seven (7) day supply of feed and hay.
- place water repellent tarps over feed bags and place on pallets to reduce the likelyhood
of water damage.
5) Bed all stalls including aisle ways for pastured horses to be tied during the storm.
- store additional bedding in plastic bags indoors.
6) Secure a generator (4 horsepower or greater) for use as an electrical reserve unit.
Make certain the generator is large enough to run your waterpump while providing
electrical outlets for a refrigerator and lights. Store a large supply of gasoline.
7) Place fly masks on pastured horses to reduce the incidence of eye injuries from flying
debris.
8) Identify your horses with name tags braided into the manes or attached to halter. Make
certain the halter will break if caught on an object.
- the name tag should include- your name, delivery address, phone number(s) and horse's
name.
9) If practical, evacuate yourself and your horses well in advance of the storm to a safe
holding area. Contact your REINS coordinating agent to identify approved sites within 48
hours prior to intense weather. It is extremely difficult to pull a horse trailer during
gale-force winds! Note: Your normally docile mount may become upset and difficult to
handle with the enviromental changes. Loading a horse during extreme weather may be
impossible.
10) If your barn is well constructed leave your horses inside to minimize injury from
flying debris.
Example:
Pole Barns with Post concreted in the ground Block Barns
Barn Roofs with a history of routine maintenance built according to code.
11) If your barn is poorly constructed or in poor repair leave your horses in a naturally
protected well-fenced pasture area.
- select low area protected by rises (elevations); make certain the area will not by
subject to flash flooding; avoid streams, ponds, etc.
- keep horses away from shallow rooted trees or trees which had been damaged in previous
storms.
- keep horses away from old dilapidated structures to minimize flying debris injuries.
12) Secure and store temporary fencing materials to permit quick, temporary fence repairs.
Select fence systems that will contain the horse without access to electricity. Permanent
repairs can be made at a later date.
13) Obtain film for your camera and camcorder to document storm damage. If time permits,
take pictures of your structures prior to the storm. Review your insurance policy to
determine storm coverage then document damage accordingly.
14) Develop an emergency stable first aid kit, including the following:
Knife
Adhesive Tape
Scissors
Duck Tape
Nylon/Cotton Rope
Clean Towels
Antiseptic
Soap
Leg Wraps
Soap
Tranquilizers
Pain Relievers
Bandages
Bee Sting Kit
Insect Repellent
Flash Light & Batteris
In many cases, wind and rainfall from the storm does not create as many problems as the
after affect of the storm. Prolonged power interruptions, blocked roadways, downed trees
(often across fencing and structures), increased populations of biting insects are all
challenges facing the horse owner. The following recommendations will help reduce the
affects of a storm help to protect your horse's health.
1) After the storm has subsided, immediately check yur horse's welfare.
2) Take pictures of storm damage to facilties, fences and roadways.
3) If your power is out, persistantly notify the power company. Advise them of the number
of horses on your farm and importance of electricity to their well being. If possible, a
personal visit is recommended.
4) Contact the local fire department and request water delivery. Most fire departments
will accomodate, if you have a large number of horses and you are experiencing a prolonged
power outage. Make certain you have several tubs available to hold the water.
5) Check your horse's vaccination schedule against diseases caused by biting insects.
Horses should be vaccinated annually for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE). The
increased mosquito population that occurs immediately after a storm has typically resulted
in an increased incidence of encephalomyelitis. Horses located in areas with high mosquito
populations should be vaccinated twice per year, six months apart.
6) Contact your county extension agent for information concerning storm-related
agricultural assistance programs for livestock/horse owners.
Emergency situations may force horse owners to make the difficult, but practical decision
of putting human life above that of your horse. Animal owners are encouraged to care for
themselves first and their animals second. he horse has demonstrated a remarkable survival
ability in the face of natural disaster which far exceeds those of humans.For your information:
Due to the damage to trees from Hurricane Bonnie, you need to be aware of the possibility
of Cyanide Poisoning due to the ingestion of wilted wild cherry (Prunus species) leaves,
twigs, bark or seeds and/or red maple leaves (Acer rubrum).
Symptoms include: weakness, excitability, grasping for breath, incoordination,
collapse, convulsions, constipation or diarrhea, bloody urine, and death
Symptoms may result from as little as 1-2 cups of leaves on an empty stomach.
The NCSU Vet. School has experienced a case. |
