VENTURA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL REGULATION
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR HORSE OWNERS
PLAN AHEAD
Familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that can occur in your area and develop a plan of action for each type. Disasters to consider in Ventura County are wildland fire, earthquake, flooding, dam breakage, tsunami, hazardous material spill, landslides, and the ever-present threat of a terrorist caused nuclear event.
Define the best location on your property on which to confine your animals in each type of event.
If you determine that in some or all events your horses will need to be evacuated, identify a number of locations the animals could be taken to such as relatives or friends homes, stables etc. and discuss your options with these people ahead of time. If you are considering moving your horses to another equine facility, find out what the entry requirements are and make arrangements in advance. Be sure to contact the owner/operator prior to moving your animals there as they may be facing similar evacuation orders themselves.
Inform family, friends, and neighbors of your evacuation plans. Post detailed instructions in several places including your barn office, tack room, horse trailer etc. so that emergency workers can locate them should you be unavailable to evacuate your animals.
Prepare an ID packet for each horse and permanently identify each animal by tattoo, microchip, brand, or photographs (4 views, front, rear, left and right side). Record the age, sex, breed, color, distinguishing marks (scars etc.) along with the ID information and keep the packets with your important papers and take them with you if you evacuate.
Have a halter and lead rope readily available for each horse. Using I.D. tags, metal plates or even tape, be sure that your name and phone number (including cell phone and an out of area contact number) are printed on each halter. Be sure that all horses are halter broke and will stand tied for prolonged periods.
Keep your horses vaccination and medical records current, in writing and up to date. Have documentation of any prescribed medicines along with dosing instructions, special feed requirements and the name address and phone numbers of your regular veterinarian available for each horse. If you must evacuate, take these records with you.
As difficult as it may be, prioritize the order in which you wish your animals to be evacuated and post the list in a conspicuous location.
There may be times when it is impossible to take your horses with you during an emergency. Depending on the type of disaster, you need to plan where the animals would be better housed. For example, during wildland fires, do not keep them locked in a flammable barn or enclosure. Sometimes the only alternative is to set them free and hope for the best.
Prepare an emergency kit, an Equine Emergency Kit and keep it in a safe and accessible location.
Be sure that all trailers and tow vehicles are in GOOD working order, have properly inflated tires and full fuel tanks. As the disaster approaches, have every vehicle properly hitched and facing out of your property in the direction that you intend to travel.
Train all of your horses to load and ride in a variety of trailers and vans.
Make arrangements in advance to have your horses trailered in case of emergency. Have friends on stand-by to assist if you don’t have adequate trailering capacity yourself.
Remember that during emergencies you are taking minimum actions to assure your animals safety and survival. Since you may be required to “shelter in place”, particularly post flooding or earthquake, have enough feed and water on hand at all times for at least 5 days.
Check for and plan for alternative water sources for at least 5 days worth. Horses require 5 gallons/1000 lbs. of water per day.
Since you or the people coming to assist you during a disaster may be wearing strange clothing (rain gear, fire suppression suits, haz-mat suits) be sure that your horses are pre conditioned to oddly colored, flowing and noisy clothing ahead of time.
If you know that some of your horses are exceedingly nervous or high strung under stressful situations, have your veterinarian prescribe a tranquilizer specifically for each animal so affected and store them with your emergency first aid kit.
Develop a Buddy System. Talk with neighbors and friends and make arrangements to check on each other after a disaster. Let each other know if you are evacuating and to where. Exchange out of area contact phone numbers (i.e. your aunt Tilly in Buffalo). Buddies may agree to pool resources such as generators, water, trailers etc.
Program the Department of Animal Regulation telephone number (805-388-4341 or 1-888-223-PETS) into you cell phone for use during a disaster.
DURING THE DISASTER
STAY CALM AND FOLLOW YOUR PLAN.
Call the Department of Animal Regulation if you need assistance with evacuation or want evacuation center information.
EVACUATE EARLY. Do not wait until the roads are jammed and emergency equipment is attempting to move into an area.
Listen to the Emergency Broadcast System station (KVTA 1520 AM) on your radio and check the Ventura County Fire Department website for updated information.