Hurricane season is upon us and it is time to prepare and plan for the worst while we hope for the best. This includes a plan not only for yourself and home, but for your four legged friends as well.
You might have several plans, A, B, C, and D for various strengths of storms with a variety or warning timeframes. The best plan might be to get out of dodge with your horses in a trailer to a pre-arranged location North or West. This may not be practical however, depending on how much warning we have, how predictable the "cone" of the possible hurricane path is and how many horses you have.
Plan A might include an arrangement with a friend or associate far enough away to be out of harms way. You will need your horses' papers handy as well as enough special medicines, feed, etc. for at least a few days away, plan for at least seven. This plan requires you leave well ahead of an anticipated storm as trying to trailer a horse with an approaching storm might end up in both of you being hurt, not to mention the driving conditions with a trailer in a storm.
Plan B might include a hurricane built barn on your own property or a reserved stall at a hurricane prepared facility or another friend's place. This again requires pre-planning and reservations. It also requires proper food, hay, water and meds as well as up to date vet records.
Plan C might be to leave your horses at your farm, but turn them out into a secure field, which is often more safe than a dubious barn. If you do this, make sure to mark your horses so if they get out when a fence comes down or jump a fence in fright, being re-connected with them will be easier (consider micro-chipping).
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Food, hay, water, identification, medication, documentation, reservations, and more are all crucial to getting through a storm safely.
Please make sure to adequately inform and prepare yourself. The lives of your horses depend on it!
Janie Coffey
Owner/Broker, GRI, TRC, QSC
cell: 786-252-4970
email: janie@papillonllc.com
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Good post Janie. However, I can't understand leaving horses behind in the field. After hurricane Andrew horses were found impaled on telephone poles. I talked to several horse owners who evacuated their horses during Frances, came home and were told it was silly when all you had to do was turn them out. Its like leaving a dog out in a hurricane. If you go, so should your horses.
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!