Emergency Equine Evacuations

Making an emergency kit for your horse is not as difficult as it sounds. Whenever I have had to buy new tack and equipment for my horse, I put the replaced items in my horse’s emergency kit. For my kit I had a duffel bag that had an extra halter, lead rope, fly mask, first aid kit and copies of important documents (including emergency contact information, Coggins test & photographs). My horse didn’t require medications, but if your horse does, make sure to keep extra in your kit. Also add veterinary papers, medical history including any allergies that your horse may have. Depending on weather conditions you might want to consider adding a blanket to your kit. You will need a kit for each horse that you have.

 

Here is a great video on the topic by Texas A&M Extension, featuring horse specialist, Brett Scott…

 

My horse was kept at a stable and I had a plan in place with the stable manager should an emergency occur. If you board your horse on your property, don’t wait until an emergency occurs to find a place to take your horse. Search for large animal emergency evacuation centers in your area.

Save some space in your trailer to put a bail of hay and feed. According to the HumaneSociety, horses require 12-20 gallons of water per day, so make sure that you consider that when finding a place for your horse to stay. Having a preparedness plan in place will make a disaster less stressful for you and your horse.

 

William J.P. Smith

Founding Contributor at 2BeeReady.org