Hurricane Season is Here… Are Your Horses Prepared?

Maryland Dept. of Ag.

Hurricane season begins in June and runs through November 30. To help ensure that people heed evacuation orders during a hurricane or other disaster (rather than stay behind with their pets), the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is prepared to open pet shelters on either side of the Bay Bridge along side state-run shelters opened for people by the Maryland Department of Human Resources.

Local city and county governments usually open the first shelters for both people and pets; however, MDA will activate the state’s pet sheltering plan when mass care evacuation centers open or local shelters reach capacity or are otherwise unable to serve residents.

Note that while state shelters for pets and humans are set up at the same facility, not every shelter will house pets. If you need to locate a shelter for your pet during an emergency or disaster, listen to the radio for instructions from local civil authorities, or contact the county emergency operations center to find a shelter that accepts pets.

Preparedness for Horse Owners:

Horse owners should also think about what they will do if their horses need to be moved, especially if they are boarded in a facility you do not own. Tips for horse owners:

• Familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that can occur in your area and develop a plan of action to deal with each type (i.e., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, etc.)
• Survey your property to find the best location to confine your animals in each type of disaster. Check for alternate water sources in case power is lost and pumps and automatic waterers are not working after the disaster.
• If you need to evacuate your horses, find several locations where the animals could be taken NOW and outline several routes to get to them. Make arrangements in advance with the owner/operators.
• Permanently identify each horse by tattoo, microchip, brand, tag, photograph (four views: front, rear, left and right side) and/or drawing. Record its age, sex, breed, and color with your record of this identification. Keep this information with your important papers. If not identified at the time of the disaster in the above manner, paint or etch hooves, use neck bands or paint telephone number on side of animal.
• Be sure your horses’ vaccination and medical records are written and up-to-date, and take them with you along with any medications, with dosing instructions, special feeding instructions and the name and phone number of the veterinarian who dispensed the drug.
• Place a permanent tag with your name and phone number, and the horse’s name on each animal’s halter.
• Have trailers and vans maintained, full of gas and ready to move at all times.

For more good advice for horse owners, see the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s disaster preparedness webpage.

Preparedness for Livestock

Many farmers are prepared to handle bad weather, but MDA offers the following refresher recommendations for livestock owners:

• Move all poultry and livestock to high ground and shelter them in securely battened barns, houses, or tightly fenced areas.
• Cover and secure all water, food, and medical supplies for poultry and livestock.
• Pump and collect adequate supplies of drinking water in case of electrical failures.
• Top off all gasoline, propane, and other fuel tanks and check operations of all portable generators.
• Remove or secure all loose objects that could be moved by high winds.
• Board all glass windows and other similar items that could break from high winds or from objects being blown against them.
• Ensure that all animal holding areas are as clean and sanitary as possible.
• Have available portable radios, extra batteries, flashlights, and candles.

Notify MDA through MEMA if any agricultural assistance is needed before, during, or after the storm, including injured animals in need of veterinary assistance or dead animals that require disposal.

Anyone in the agricultural community who needs assistance with livestock, including horses, should contact their local emergency operation center. For a list of local emergency management offices click here.

For more information about disaster planning, contact the Maryland Emergency Management Agency at 1-877-MEMA-USA.