Disaster Planning: Dealing With Less Common Disasters

While hurricanes, floods, and wildfires tend to be the most talked-about disasters, there are other events that will affect horses, and barn owners and managers should be prepared for them as well.

EARTHQUAKES

 Like tornadoes, earthquakes are difficult to predict, probably the least predictable of all disasters. The majority tend to strike in certain regions, so someone living in Florida or Maine probably will not be as concerned about preparing for an earthquake as someone who lives in California.

It helps to have a plan for disasters. But how does one prepare for an earthquake?

  The best way is to build your structures with earthquakes in mind. Barns should be designed to keep your horses safe should an earthquake strike, and barns should be routinely inspected for their structural soundness. One cannot evacuate from an earthquake, but one can take steps to deal with the aftermath :

· You should be able to evacuate in the aftermath if there is much destruction and keeping horses on the property is unsafe. Know where you can evacuate your animals.

· Keep sufficient food and water supplies.

· Be able to evacuate horses from barns as soon as possible. Keep halters and lead ropes accessible.

· Shut off water, gas, and water valves.

 BLIZZARDS

Blizzards are best handled by being prepared in late summer or early fall. Horses should have adequate shelter, and roofs should be built to be slanted to avoid collapsing if too much snow accumulates.

Hay can be stored in large quantities in the north without fear of it becoming moldy, so most horse owners should have stocked up on hay for the winter by the time autumn has arrived. By having extra hay and feed on hand, in the event that roads are not passable due to snow or downed power lines, there should be no worries about horses having to go without food. They must consume more calories when temperatures are freezing, and while there is often debate about when to blanket, it is usually a good idea to blanket when the weather is extreme for your area. By extreme, that can mean a 40-degree drop in Florida, from a high of 80, down into the 40s or even the30ss in 24 hours, or in northern states, where the temperatures drop below zero. Extra care should be given to elderly horses, as well as sick horses, clipped horses, and foals. Fresh and cool water should be available at all times. Horses do not like to drink frigid water; if ice is on the bucket, they will not drink. Horses that cannot drink are at risk of colic. Adding warm water to their grain will help keep them hydrated and warm them up internally.

A WARMING CLIMATE/HEAT WAVES/DROUGHTS

Undoubtedly, our weather is getting more extreme, with powerful hurricanes occurring more frequently and more wildfires out west and everywhere experiencing record heat. The last twenty years are the warmest since data has been measured and recorded.

Triple digits are now the norm for most of the country for a good chunk of the year, and not only is it making it harder to keep our animals cool and comfortable, but it is also affecting our hay and feed, the quality of air, and the rise of infectious diseases.

The study of how the climate affects horses is only in its infancy stage, but it is a looming disaster that should be watched closely, as we are all living in the middle of it. Continuing droughts are and will continue to affect hay production. Almost 50% of the acreage used to grow hay is currently affected by drought. Water is needed to produce hay and grain, but too much (flooding and hurricanes) or too little (droughts and wildfires) will seriously impact how and what we feed our horses, not to mention that the costs to feed horses will continue to rise. The rain totals will also impact how our horses graze their pastures, as the quality of grass will suffer. As pasture grasses die off, toxic plants will take hold, so care should be taken to remove them.

Smoke from wildfires will decrease the air quality, not to mention temperatures soaring into the triple digits. These will impact horse sports, as extreme heat and poor air quality are not conducive to any two- or four-legged athlete performing at their best. Moving events and competitions to evening and even overnight instead of in the middle of the day will become the new norm.

We will see the toll a changing climate takes on horses through skin issues, respiratory disease, poor hoof quality, more parasites, and increased invasive creatures. Storm damage will be greater, and there will be weather-related riding limitations.

Lastly, extreme weather patterns will drive wildlife out of their normal homes, which means more risk of interacting with our pets and horses. This means a greater chance of zoonotic diseases, while more water-driven disasters will result in vets treating more cases of waterborne pathogens such as Leptospirosis, Pythium insidiosum, and Encephalitis. 

Extreme weather patterns are affecting us all, and we need to pay attention to them in order to manage a stable of horses effectively. We can adapt to these changes if we alter our management practices to maximize our horses' health and reduce property damage.

Local Emergencies: HAZMAT Evacuation, Power Failure, Contagious Disease Outbreak

Barns, particularly where horses are constantly coming and going, should have a written standard for handling outbreaks of certain diseases, such as strangles or EHV. The risk of disease or injuries also increases after disasters, whether from contaminated water, exposure to hazardous materials, or injuries due to debris in pastures.

Unfortunately, one cannot predict when there may be a contagious disease outbreak, a HAZMAT evacuation due to a derailed train carrying chemicals, or a power outage, which will shut down wells and all access to water for a week. If you already have a disaster plan in effect and drill often, you will be better prepared for whatever emergency comes your way and be able to respond proactively, no matter the hazard.

In next week’s blog, I will conclude this series on Disaster Planning, with an evacuation checklist as well as what to do in case you decide to shelter in place.