Help your Horses in the Event of a Wildfire!

In Arizona the most common natural disaster is fire - in the form of wildfires.  For most of you that have horses you live in more rural areas that are close to forests and brushy areas.  This page is to help you think and prepare for a fire.  We encourage all horse owners to plan ahead when it comes to knowing what you will do if you are asked to evacuate your area.

 

Here are some helpful hints on things you can do now:

 

• Determine transportation and location if you are asked to evacuate - Find a friend with horses that does not live in your area and work out an exchange so you can evacuate to each other's locations if one of you has a need.  DO THIS BEFORE FIRE SEASON!  If you cannot transport all your horses be sure you arrange with your friends ahead of time for help...make sure you arrange with people NOT in your area that have enough space in their trailers to move all your horses.

• Train your horse to load in a trailer - please don't wait...make sure all your horses will get in a trailer under normal circumstances because in an emergency it will be that much harder.

• If you have too many horses to move then MAKE A FIRE BARRIER....have at least 30 feet around your property or around one arena that is clear of all brush and trees and anything else that is flammable.  Plant aloe vera plants around your arenas or barns as they are full of water and prevent fire from spreading.  Have sprinklers installed in an arena that can be pointed outwards so that you can spray down the ground around the area you are protecting.  Concrete walls are an excellent fire barrier too.  Be creative but if you have too many horses to move then think about how you can create a safe space for them to stay.

• Always have your horses fully documented and Identified!  In an emergency if there is an evacuation and you have to take horses to a disaster recovery site for horses you want to be sure that your horse is identified so you can get it back.  You can use a yellow grease marker, a fetlock band (buy them ahead of time) with your name/number, or you can microchip your horse.  If you need any information on any of these items please contact us for more info on how to get them.  Have full pictures of your horse and if your horse has any special care needs be sure you have it documented.  If your horse needs medicine always keep an extra supply on hand thru fire season.

• DO NOT RELY solely on the government resources to take care of your horses in an emergency - although there are plans in place to aid horse owners in a disaster it is important to remember that you are the first line of protection for your animals and planning ahead gives you a much better chance of getting your horses out safely then relying on government resources to help you during the disaster.  Horses are very difficult to relocate in large numbers and prepared owners give everyone a better chance in an emergency.

• Ask us questions!   We will be happy to answer any other questions you might have on this so that you can be better prepared!