22/12/2024
🔥 Horse Preparation for Bushfires 🔥
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the fires across the country. With this week, particularly Boxing Day, predicted to be hazardous, I wanted to share important tips for preparing your beloved horses during bushfire season.
Having lived in a high-risk area (Toolangi) and experienced multiple fire seasons, including Black Saturday, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of preparation.
Key Tips for Horse Safety:
🌟 Plan Ahead
* If your area is high-risk and your property isn’t well-prepared for fire survival, consider moving your horses a day before the danger period.
* Roads can be shut off during fires, and loading horses under stress increases risks for both you and them.
🌟 If Keeping Horses on the Property
1. Provide Space to Move:
* Open all internal paddocks so they can move freely. Horses instinctively run through the fire front to safety on the other side.
2. Reduce Fuel Risks:
* Ensure grass is very low, or keep them in surfaced areas like arenas.
* Flames can be double the height of the fuel, and burnt hooves are a risk if they run through fire.
3. Remove Flammable Items:
* Take off rugs, halters, and fly masks, as these can ignite.
* Plait manes and tails to reduce the risk of them catching fire (leave the forelock down to assist with flies).
4. Keep Them Contained:
* Do not open external gates.
* Loose horses on roads during fires are at significant risk of being hit by cars due to poor visibility.
5. Identification:
* Write your mobile number on their hooves with a marker so they can be identified if needed.
6. Provide Water:
* Ensure plenty of water is available for them.
Stay Safe
I truly hope you won’t need these guidelines, but it’s always better to be prepared. Stay safe, and let’s protect our horses and ourselves during this concerning period.
Feel free to share this post—it could help someone in need. 🐴💛
Janine & The Horse Sense Team
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