A Light in the Dark Equine Advocates

16/08/2022

27/07/2022

ARE YOU PREPARED IN CASE OF FIRE?

In 2022 alone, wildfires have burned over 5 million acres—some ignited by natural causes and some started by people. As record temperatures and very dry fuels continue to be reported in many states, the National Interagency Fire Center is encouraging all of us to do our part to prevent wildfires because firefighters cannot do it alone.

Do you have a prevention strategy and an evacuation plan for your barn in case of fire? The graphic below illustrates some simple measures to get you started in your efforts of reducing fire risk but this list is certainly not meant to be exhaustive. We encourage you to be proactive and consult your local fire department and your veterinarian on the best ways to design a prevention plan, respond to a fire and remove horses safely from the barn.

Barn fires are the number one local emergency affecting agricultural facilities; they can cause horrific injuries and kill more horses than any other type of disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest. Additional helpful links and resources are available on our website at https://aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/owner-emergency-disaster-and-preparedness

18/07/2022

14/06/2022

23/05/2022

07/03/2022

As barn fires keep making the news, the question bears repeating:

DO YOU HAVE A FIRE-PREVENTION STRATEGY FOR YOUR BARN?

Barn fires are the number one local emergency expected to affect agricultural facilities; they can cause horrific injuries and kill more horses than any other type of disaster. If you are guilty of overlooking fire prevention for your barn, don’t wait for that gut-wrenching whiff of smoke and fear — consult your local fire department and your veterinarian today on the best ways to design a prevention plan, respond to a fire and remove horses safely from the barn.

The graphic below illustrates some simple measures that may be employed to reduce fire risk but the list is certainly not meant to be exhaustive. Additional helpful links and resources are available on our website at https://aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/owner-emergency-disaster-and-preparedness

13/01/2022

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HORSE IS CUT OR BLEEDING?

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing, and maintaining your presence of mind could save your horse's life. The graphic shows some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency; how you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances, and on the advise you will receive from your veterinarian.

Read more on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/guidelines-follow-during-equine-emergencies

02/12/2021

DO YOU HAVE A FIRE-PREVENTION STRATEGY FOR YOUR BARN? 🔥

Barn fires are the number one local emergency expected to affect agricultural facilities, and they kill more horses than any other type of disaster. One important thing to remember as you prepare for the cold season, is that farm buildings can have an increased fire risk in winter because of all the extra stress put on the electrical and heating systems.

If you are guilty of overlooking fire prevention for your barn, don’t wait for that gut-wrenching whiff of smoke and fear — consult your local fire department and your veterinarian today on the best ways to design a prevention plan, respond to a fire and remove horses safely from the barn.

09/08/2021

Does your barn have an emergency plan for human accidents? Here's how to make one: https://www.proequinegrooms.com/tips/barn-management/people-emergencies-at-the-barn-make-a-plan

16/07/2021

Some interesting new information about removing water from your horse so it doesn't heat up and make your horse hotter.... I was really surprised! The Sweat Scraper for Horses - New Science about Cooling Horses https://www.proequinegrooms.com/tips/health-and-well-being/sweat-scraper-horses

10/07/2021

CAN YOU RECOGNIZE HEAT STRESS IN HORSES? ☀️🐴

A horse’s body maintains its normal temperature in hot weather by moving heat through the muscles and out through the skin. Exercise is a major source of body heat, and horses that cannot sweat will usually overheat very rapidly, even in cooler weather with a small amount of exercise.

When outside temperature + relative humidity = 150 or above, it's hard for a horse to keep cool because their ability to sweat is compromised — especially if the humidity contributes over half of the 150.

Signs of heat stroke may range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Foals usually cannot take as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day. Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will have more problems. Keep in mind that strenuous exercise on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and signs of heat exhaustion, as heat exhaustion can advance to heat stroke quickly. Above all, be kind and attentive to your equine partner’s need. If you feel hot, they feel hotter. So if they look tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.

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Source: Heat Stroke | https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke

28/06/2021

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, many equestrians and farm owners are dreading the endless fireworks that are going to terrorize their animals in the night.

The graphic lists some tips to keep your pets and equine friends safe during the booming festivities. If you horses are staying out overnight, now is a good time to check on your fencing and for any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents and sedatives.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so everyone may enjoy the celebration. 🇺🇸

04/03/2021

HOW CAN WE HELP??
The weather in Kentucky has been nothing short of wild and many horse owners have lost a lot (if not everything), including feed and hay supplies to rising flood waters.
Do you know a horse owner who needs help feeding their horses? The KHC has an Equine Safety Net program in place to assist people in need of short-term financial relief to feed their horses, and applying is easy: Find the application at the link below. If a postal mailed application is best, message us with your mailing address or call our office at 859-367-0509
Should you wish to donate to the KHC Equine Safety Net fund, please visit here and mention it in the comments: https://kentuckyhorse.org/Donate

https://kentuckyhorse.org/resources/Documents/Equine%20Safety%20Net%20Application.pdf
PC: Facebook/Rough Terrain Rescue

01/12/2020

When a house fire occurs, the displaced family can rely on the helpful hands of the Red Cross. But what happens after a barn fire and it’s horses or livestock that are in need of a warm/safe place to go!?!?

Our plan is to create a directory of local volunteer equestrians that are able and willing to jump into action and assist horse owners after a barn fire or disaster occurrs. It may be helping with temporarily housing displaced horses, being able to transport injured horses to a veterinary hospital, or helping to supply hay and feed to get the horses through the night.

We ask that those on the directory be willing to be contacted at any hour, as emergencies can happen at any time of night or day. We also ask that they offer their services at no cost to the victims of the fire/disaster and understand that it is completely volunteer.

All contact information will be kept confidential and you will only be contacted by the administrators of this group. As the need for services arises, we will coordinate with the victims to see what is needed and then contact the volunteers most suited to assist in that situation.

If you wish to be added to the directory, please send a private message to the page, or email us at [email protected]. We will ask that you provide what you would be able to assist with, if stalls would be available, pasture, if you can help transport etc.

May we all strive to help one another when disaster strikes, and let us become a light in the dark ❤️

01/12/2020

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.horseillustrated.com/horse-keeping-30-tips-to-prevent-barn-fires

A barn is basically a fire waiting to happen. Full of hay, straw, shavings and other flammable materials, all it takes is the smallest spark to ignite. Because the risk is so high, it’s important to be proactive about fire prevention. “In an ideal world, all of our barns would be constructed wit...

01/12/2020

A barn Fire is every horse owners worst nightmare! With this page we hope to educate equestrians with fire prevention and barn safety tips in hopes to create a safer home for our much loved horses.