NOTE: This is a Web Sampler. Information about the complete publication and how to order it is available here.

General Preparation

Each barn owner has their own idea of a disastrous event for their facility. For one barn it may be a tornado, for another it may be an outbreak of an infectious disease like strangles. Barn owners should consider what types of situations would be the most devastating for their barn. By identifying these situations and planning for them, negative eff ects can be minimized. Planning will also help prepare horse owners for other, unforeseen events. For instance, if fire is a concern, have an evacuation plan. This can also be used for a tornado or flood. The following information discusses steps that will help horse owners plan for any emergency situation.

Get the house ready first

The following is a list of essential items a horse owner should keep in or near their home and possibly in another location off the property as well.

• Human first aid kit
• Emergency kit with food and water for 3 days
• Important paperwork
• Photos and written descriptions of all horses
• Extra halters and lead ropes
• Generator with enough fuel for 3 days
• Working flash lights
• Battery operated radio

For more details on preparing your house, contact American Red Cross Twin Cities Chapter at (612) 871-7676

Evacuation Plans

It is important to have an evacuation plan that quickly and safely moves animals and people out of barns and other equine facilities. It is also critical that boarders and others engaged in the barn/facility know the plan. Having others know the plan ensures it is followed, even if the owner is not present when the emergency occurs. Developing a plan is also important because it helps horse owners think through potential emergencies that may occur, and helps determine potential problems in the barn prior to an emergency. Put the plan in writing and post it. Here are the nine major issues to consider when developing an emergency evacuation plan:

1. How will each horse be removed from the barn? Will they be lead individually or herded? In what order? Can they be herded out the door to a holding pen? Keep in mind it may not be possible or safe to put a halter on a panicked horse. Plans for an evacuation like a flood may be diff erent than for a fire where there is less time.
2. Do you have spare halters and lead ropes located in an area away from the barn? This is often overlooked and can be a major problem (i.e. during a fire), especially if there are large numbers of horses on the property.
3. Are there horses that need to be handled differently? Stallions, foals, elderly horses and others may need to be treated differently.
4. Where will the horses go if the barn is damaged? Ideally horses will be put in a safe paddock away from barn. During a fire, ensure the horses are placed far from the burning facility to avoid illness from smoke inhalation. Is there space to separate horses (i.e. stallions)? During an emergency, it is common for a frightened or disoriented horse to try and return back to its stall, where it feels the safest.
5. Is there more than one exit from the barn? This is especially important during a fire. Horses are creatures of habit. Practice using all exits occasionally.
6. Will you be able to get food and water to the holding area? This is more important if they need to stay there for extended periods of time.
7. Can you trailer the horses if necessary? Is there access to a functional truck and trailer? Will the horses easily load?
8. Have everyone involved in the horse facility practice the evacuation plan? A lot can be learned from practicing an evacuation plan, and improvements can then be made.
9. Do you know your neighbors or other horse owners in the area? Neighboring horse owners can be a huge resource during an emergency.

Fire

Fire Prevention

Preventing a fire for starting is the best way to avoid a fire emergency. Fires start when fuel and ignition sources come together in the presence of oxygen. Following is a table of common barn fuel and ignition sources and a list of steps you can take to prevent barn fires.

Table 1. Common Barn Fuel and Ignition Sources

Fuel Sources	Ignition Sources
Hay	Faulty electrical wiring (including extension cords)
Bedding (Straw, shavings)	Smoking materials (cigarettes, matches)
Liquid fuels (gasoline)	Sparks from motors
Wood for building materials and stalls	Improperly cured hay
Cloth, blankets, cleaning rags	Small appliances (heaters, fans, heat lamps)

Fire Prevention Steps

1. Identify all fuel and ignition sources.Draw a picture of your barn, mark the fuel and ignition sources.
2. Separate fuel and ignition sources as much as possible.Separate fuel and ignition sources as much as possible.
3. Post and enforce no smoking signs. This is inexpensive and will have immediate results.
4. Check hay temperature before storing it in the barn.Hay that was baled too wet can become hot and ignite due to microbial activity and spontaneous combustion. For more information on hay, see the University of Minnesota fact sheet "Selecting and Storing Horse Hay" (publication #08463).

Severe Weather

Drought

Fortunately, in a drought situation there is time to prepare. Unfortunately, the length and severity of the drought is unpredictable. Following is a list of steps horse owners can take to prepare for a drought:

• Stockpile hay if possible. Identify backup sources for hay.
• Identify alternate water sources. This is especially important if you rely on surface water or a shallow well. A horse's water intake needs increase during hot, dry periods.
• Be alert to fire hazards. Th e risk of fire increases during a drought.
• Remove horses from pasture to maintain the health of the pasture and the horses.
• Look for poisonous plants. When feed is short, or horses are hungry, plants normally avoided become a tempting source of feed. For more information on poisonous plants, see the University of Minnesota Extension book "Plant Poisonous or Harmful to Horse in the North Central United State" (publication #08491).

Barn Design

If horse owners have an opportunity to build or refurbish a barn, or if buying a barn, look for these elements:

• Multiple exits
• Reduced potential for rapid spread of fire through the use of curtains or firewalls
• Fire resistant materials
• Good ventilation
• Hay storage separate from animal housing
• Easy access to water
• Quarantine areas
• Facilities located out of flood plain and other wet areas
• Facility and ground cleanliness

Agriculture \ Community \ Environment \ Family \ Garden \ Living \ Youth
Home \ Search \ Product Catalog \ News \ Workshops \ Online Shopping
About Extension \ Extension Offices