Do You Have An Emergency Plan In Place In The Event A Disaster Hits Your Farm?

We have all gone through some strange weather this year as well as numerous disasters hit, such as wildfires, unexpected snow and ice, or any natural or man made disasters.  The question is: Are you ready if the unexpected disasters and emergencies do occur on your farm?

Have An Evacuation Plan

The first thing you should have is an emergency plan in place.  The first and foremost should be an evacuation plan, at which time you can move horses, livestock and humans at a moment's notice.

It is important to find places before disaster strikes.  It may be just hauling them to higher ground, or you may need to find a place that can stable the horses.  Contact fair grounds, other facilities that may be possibilities.  

Next map out an evacuation route.  It is better to have a few different routes planned in case of road closures.  It may be a good idea to contact your regional emergency services for evacuation ideas.

Now think about how will you transport your horses.  Do you have a trailer?  If you will be using your own rig, make sure it is ready to go on a moment's notice.  If not, make other plans for emergency transport.  Leave early to give enough time for hauling before the roads get congested.

Make An Emergency Evacuation Kit

The last thing you want to do when disaster strikes is scrambling around to find halters, lead ropes, buckets, etc.  Put together an evacuation kit and keep it handy, such as your trailer, so it is ready when emergency strikes.

Your kit should include:

• At least 3 day supply of food (hay and grain), 2 buckets for every horse
• If you have watertight containers, fill them up before power lines go down or water lines break.  Water may be scarce.  It is better to have it in case.
• A halter and lead rope for each horse.  Include information, such as your horse's name, your name, phone number, and address.  In case your horse gets away from you, you will have a better chance of having the horse returned to you.
• Copies of registration papers, health papers-including a negative Coggins.
• At least a 3 day supply of any medications your horse may need.
• Several photos of each horse to help in identification.
• Flashlights and lanterns, along with a supply of fresh batteries.
• You may consider turning your horses out into a safely fenced pasture with shelter,  They will be safer in a pasture than in a barn, which could collapse.
• Close barn doors, so panicked horses cannot run back inside.
• Turn off power and gas lines.

Go ahead and put an emergency plan together for your farm.  When disaster strikes, you will be ready.  You never know when you will need it.