For My Horses
Re-Unite Quickly
Separation from my horse during a disaster may be unavoidable. To make it easy to help reunite me with my horse again, I keep contact details for permanent ID up to date (e.g. microchip, brands).
I practice with, and use, a range of temporary ID options in addition to permanent brands and microchip e.g. stock markers or tags in the mane. Current photos of my horse and me are on social media and in my smartphone ready to share.
I have copies of proof of ownership.
All of my family, friends and neighbours know never to let any of my horses out onto the roads.
I also know that there is some help available. The PIRSA Animals in Emergencies Plan explains who is undertakes what job roles.
Agistment
Our agistment centre has an emergency plan, which forms part of our agreement. We practice the plan each year and the agistees help each other out with preparation.
I have a list of temporary and long term alternative agistment options, which is kept updated, with properties pre-inspected and draft agistment agreements sorted.
A 'buddy' for emergency accommodation was arranged through our club as a networking activity.
I kept up to date with community initiatives
Bushfires SA Assistance Facebook page
(click on 'more' and 'files')
First Aid Confidence
I am confident with basic first aid and to cope with common injuries or health issues associated with fire, floods (e.g. standing for prolonged periods on wet ground), heat stress or hypothermia.
Here are a few ideas for items to include in an Equine First Aid Kit, perhaps kept in a waterproof container.
Bandages/gauze swabs
Betadine
Saline
Ointment
Eye rinse,
Wound gels
Scissors & tweezers
Thermometer
Towel
Bandages
Non-adherent dressings
Disposable gloves
Current medications
List of veterinary numbers and SAVEM number
Emergency Kit
Protective clothing, boots, face scarf
Battery powered or wind-up radio & torch
Batteries for torch & smartphone
Current veterinary medications
Halters, leads, spare rope, hoof pick
Rug/blankets
Emergency contact list
Laminated, written instructions for horse feed & care
Horse food and water for 3 days
Water bucket
Wire/ fence cutters
Knife & baling twine, duct tape, Large cable ties
Maps of local area
Rubbish bags
Fly repellent
Electric fence kit for yarding
Equine first aid kit
Packed in waterproof containers, in a wheelie bin ready to quickly load into the float
Alternative power e.g. generators are maintained & tested.
Trailer Train Today!
My horses all load into trailers, which we practice several times a year. Sometimes at night, sometimes in the wind or with different people handling.
The loading sites selected has shed walls or fence lines to help guide horses, as I know that even with practice, moving horses ahead of a disaster threat is likely to be stressful.
I have more horses than float spaces. All horses are float trained but if I had time only to get the first load out, they are pre-evaluated for risks associated with 'go or stay', e.g. welfare benefit, age.
The float is always well maintained, registration up to date and we have a 'safety kit' e.g. reflective road cones, Hi-Viz vests and torches should we be caught out on the side of the road at night. It might be a fallen tree over the road or police road block.
Large Animal Rescue Kit
Here is my basic kit:
Old life jacket and several towels to protect the horse's head
2 x 3 m slings (or ‘strops’), 3-tonne capacity
1 x 4WD snatch strap
2 x 15 m synthetic rope, 12-13mm
1 x broom handle or similar, rock climbing rescue clip and duct tape
1 x head collar and long lead with strong clip
Tarpaulins for screening, shelter
A helmet, pair of gloves and hi-viz vest for each helper
Hook on the end of a pole suitable for reaching to move a leg e.g. extendable walking stick
A useful book titled, 'Equine Emergency Rescue', is available for purchase from the Horse SA online store.
