As a hurricane approaches it's crucial to be prepared to keep horses safe. Here are essential steps to take:
1. Have an Evacuation Plan: Move horses inland, away from low lying and coastal areas. Storm surges and flooding are the biggest dangers. During Hurricane Dorian (2019 Bahamas), several horses drowned because they were located too close to the coast.
2. Turn Horse Out: Unless your barn is built to Miami-Dade or similar standards, do not confine or tie animals during the storm because they can get trapped, injured or killed in the event of a building collapse or flooding. Horses should be turned out in a group in a large debris-free area. They will huddle together to weather the storm. During Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), horses in wooden barns and those left in very small paddocks suffered tremendous wounds, while those turned out in large fields fared much better. Racetracks are particularly vulnerable, so horses should be turned loose in the infield.
3. Identification: Ensure horses are microchipped and have this information with you. If not, braid a waterproof tag into your horses' mane or tail that includes the horse's name and your name and phone number so it can be identified should it get loose during the storm. All you need is a small rubber band and a label maker. A small luggage tag will work too. Do not rely on a halter as they can get lost in or storm. According to a vet who was in the USVI after Hurricane Maria (2017), “With fences down and barns torn apart horses were all over the island. It wasn’t easy to say this horse was from here or there. Halters and neck collars had also come off during the aftermath of the storm.”
4. Secure Facilities: Reinforce barn roof strapping and shelters to withstand strong winds. Ensure all structures are in good repair. Secure feed storage – CAT 4/5 hurricane force winds can easily knock over a 40ft container full of hay, spilling its contents. Clear property of all debris that could become projectiles and harm horses.
5. Stock Supplies: Stock up on feed, water, medications, and essential supplies to last at least two weeks since natural forage and uncontaminated water will be in short supply post-storm. To ensure availability of clean water, keep all water containers full. Secure feed in airtight containers. Have lots of vet wrap and wound care treatments on hand.
6. Establish a communication channel (eg. WhatsApp group) among horse owners, barn managers, vets so that help can be mobilized quickly in a dire situation -- the equestrian community is small and we all need to help each other.
7. Have a long-term plan. While the storm itself will be bad, the post disaster time period can actually be much worse. To quote a vet treating horses post-Hurricane Maria, “The trees had no leaves, the water was all contaminated, and with no power there was no way to cool off the horses. Horses with bad injuries passed away quickly, but those left behind are suffering worse! Sunburn, dehydration, starvation, and skin infections are slowly destroying the horses left.”
It takes time after a major disaster for things to return to normal. Post-storm, your islands could be without power for weeks or even months and the ports may be damaged, limiting shipments of needed relief supplies. Think about how you would get water and food to yourself and your horses during this time.
Stay safe everyone. Be prepared!
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