Hurricane tips for horse owners
Now that the season’s first storm has swept ashore, many animal owners realize it’s time to reassess their plans and provisions—just in case other hurricanes aren’t as adept at avoiding the Gulf Coast as Arlene.
While cat and dog owners may be able make arrangements on the fly, transporting livestock to a safe haven demands a significant amount of strategy.
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) and the Equine Health Studies Program at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine offers recommendations both for equine owners who decide to evacuate and those who plan to ride out the storm.
Equine Evacuation
If you are planning to move your horses from areas prone to hurricane damage, consider making the following plans in advance:
• Keep your horse current on vaccinations for tetanus as well as Eastern, Western and West Nile encephalitis.
• Network with horse- or farm animal-owning neighbors. Talk through different disaster scenarios, identify local emergency resources and discuss ways to help one another.
• Provide your neighbors with your evacuation contact information.
• Know your parish emergency managers such as those at Office of Emergency Preparedness, Animal Control, Sheriff’s Office, etc.
• Be sure your horse has two forms of identification: (1) permanent identification such as a microchip, tattoo or brand, and (2) luggage-type tag secured to the tail and halter (which should be leather for breakaway purposes). Fetlock tags can be acquired online or at local farm supply store. Alternatively, you can use a paint stick or non-toxic spray paint. Place your name—and/or that of an out-of-area contact—addresses and phone numbers legibly on the tags.
• Store your horse’s microchip number (i.e., Coggins form) in an accessible location. Also, send a copy to a friend or family member who lives outside your area. That way, you can easily access the information if your copy is lost or destroyed.
• Transport your horse a sufficient distance from the coast—ideally, north of Interstate 10 and even as far as Alexandria. LSART will set up large animal shelters in the Monroe or Shreveport/Bossier areas.
• Arrange to leave a minimum of 72 hours before the storm’s arrival. Since horses do not travel in the air-conditioned car, there is danger in getting stuck in heat and traffic with a trailer full of horses as a hurricane approaches.
• Prepare a waterproof emergency animal care kit with all the items you normally use, including medications, salves or ointments, vet-wrap, bandages, tape, etc. Leave the kit in a safe place that is easily accessible after the storm.
• Start to clean up your property early. Remove all debris that could be hurled by hurricane force winds. When you return, look out for downed power lines, which can be “live” and represent a danger to people and animals.
Weathering the Weather
If you decide to weather the storm at home—which is not usually recommended— the following precautions will improve your ability to take care of your horse after the danger passes:
• When debating whether to keep your horses in a barn or open field, consider barn structure, trees, power lines, the condition of surrounding properties and the likelihood of flooding. If the farm is subject to storm surge or flash flooding, turn the horses out to prevent them from getting trapped or drowning.
• Clear the barn aisle and walls. Store all items in a safe place on higher ground.
• Have at least a two- to three-week supply of hay wrapped in plastic or waterproof tarp and feed stored in plastic watertight containers.
• Place supplies in the highest and driest area, out of reach of floodwaters.
• Fill clean plastic garbage cans with water, secure the top and place them in the barn for use afterward.
• Maintain an emergency barn kit containing a chain saw and fuel, hammer(s), saw, nails, screws and fencing materials. Place this kit in a secure area before the storm hits, so it’s easily accessible after the storm.
• Keep an ample supply of flashlights and batteries and other non-perishable items.
• Listen to local radio stations in your area. If Internet access is available, visit state-run websites that contain accurate status information (i.e., state police, university, department of agriculture) and take all cautions/warning serious and act accordingly.
For more detailed information on hurricane preparations for animal owners, visit www.LSUEquine.com or www.lsart.org.
Click here for this week’s Creature Feature.
Click here for this week’s City Lynx.
