20/11/2024
🔥 It’s Getting Hot in Here… Are You and Your Horse Prepared? 🔥
As summer approaches (or is it already here?), it’s essential for horse owners to think ahead and ensure their horses have everything they need to stay safe and comfortable during the season’s heat and potential extreme weather events.
In Australia, we’ve all seen the push to have emergency plans for our homes and families. But what about your horses? Every horse owner should take a moment to create a plan for their equine companions in case of storms, fires, or floods.
Key Considerations for Horse Owners:
• Water Access: Does your horse have a reliable water source? Remember, horses drink more as temperatures rise! If you can’t access your horses for a few days, will they still have enough water?
• Shade: Unlike us, horses don’t have air-conditioning! Ensure they have ample shade to help them stay cool.
• Rugs: Horses naturally sweat to cool down. Airflow is key for this process, so consider leaving rugs off on especially hot days to prevent overheating.
• First Aid Kit: Have a kit ready and easily accessible. It’s vital to have supplies on hand in case of minor injuries or illnesses.
• Veterinary Care: Plan ahead for access to a vet in case of injury or illness. Make sure you have a record of vaccination dates, health conditions, and current medications, in case you need to seek care from a different vet.
Emergency Preparedness in Case of Storms, Fires, or Floods:
• Stay or Go: Decide in advance if it’s safer to stay or to move your horses. If moving them, know where you’ll go.
• Transportation: Do your horses load, unload, and travel calmly? Practice loading and unloading in calm conditions, so they’re prepared if things get chaotic.
• Access: Can you reach your horses in an emergency? Know how much time it will take to gather and transport them, and prioritize which horses to move if time is limited.
• Supplies: Keep essential supplies—such as buckets, feed, and any medications—in a readily accessible location for easy transport.
• Gear: Consider removing any gear from your horses during extreme weather, as it could become hazardous (e.g., embers from fires or debris in storms).
• Identification: If your horses get loose, how will they be identified? For bushfire areas, it’s recommended to paint your phone number on your horse’s body (avoid the feet). Microchips are the best permanent ID method, but make sure your details are current in the database.
Finally, put it all in writing! Having a written emergency plan for your horses can make all the difference in reducing stress when every second counts. Keep it somewhere easily accessible.
Stay safe and be prepared this summer!
