Horse Care During Storms and Emergencies: Preparedness and Safety Plans

Start with a written plan that covers the emergencies most likely in your area, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfire smoke, ice storms, or barn fire. Include who will make decisions, who can move the horses if you are not home, where the horses will go, and which trailer and towing vehicle are available.

Keep printed and digital copies of your horse’s records together. Helpful documents include vaccination history, a current Coggins when relevant for travel or boarding requirements, medication list, feeding instructions, microchip information, registration papers if applicable, and clear photos showing markings. Store one copy in the barn, one in your home, and one off-site or in cloud storage.

A buddy system matters. Nearby horse friends, barn staff, and family can help with loading, hauling, checking fences, or delivering water and hay if roads reopen slowly. Post emergency numbers in the barn, including your vet, local emergency management, farrier, trailer contacts, and an out-of-area family contact.

Permanent identification improves the chance of reunion if horses are displaced. Microchipping is one of the most reliable options, but it only helps if the registration is current. Keep your phone number updated with the microchip company and save the chip number in multiple places.

Temporary identification can also help during fast-moving evacuations. Common options include a luggage tag braided into the mane, a phone number written with livestock-safe paint, or a number written on the hoof wall with permanent marker. Take current full-body photos from both sides and close-ups of facial markings, brands, scars, and leg markings.

Avoid relying on only one method. Tags can come off, paint can fade, and paperwork can get wet. Layered identification gives responders and shelters more ways to match your horse to you.

Your horse emergency kit should be packed before severe weather is forecast. Core supplies include halters and lead ropes for every horse, water buckets, feed tubs, a first aid kit, flashlights, spare batteries, gloves, a pocket knife, duct tape, and basic tools for safe fence or gate access.

Pack at least a 3-day supply of hay, feed, medications, and clean water if possible, and more if your region commonly has prolonged outages. Label each horse’s feed and medication clearly. Include copies of records, your contact information, and written care instructions in a waterproof bag.

A basic restock cost range for a horse emergency kit is often about $150 to $500, depending on how much you already keep in the barn. If you need to add portable water containers, extra halters, first aid supplies, and storage bins, the total can run higher. Conservative planning still helps. Even a simple, organized kit is better than scrambling after a warning is issued.

If evacuation may be needed, leave early. Roads, fuel stations, and animal sheltering options can become limited quickly. Practice loading each horse in calm conditions, not for the first time when wind, smoke, or sirens are already present.

Check your trailer before storm season. Tires, brakes, lights, floor integrity, hitch components, and emergency breakaway systems should all be in working order. Keep the towing vehicle fueled when severe weather is possible. If you do not own a trailer, arrange transport in advance and confirm who can drive.

Know your destination options ahead of time. Some fairgrounds, boarding barns, and equine facilities may accept evacuated horses, but requirements vary. Ask what paperwork they need, whether they require a current Coggins, how feed and water are handled, and whether stall or pasture space is available.

This decision depends on the emergency and the property. A sturdy, well-maintained barn may offer protection from flying debris in some storms, but barns can also collapse, flood, trap horses, or become dangerous in a fire. Pastures may allow horses to move away from danger, but damaged fencing, trees, loose debris, and downed power lines can create serious risks.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If flooding, fire, or structural failure is a concern, evacuation is often the safer option when it can be done early. If evacuation is not possible, your vet and local emergency guidance can help you think through the least risky choice for your specific setup.

Whichever option you use, reduce hazards first. Remove loose equipment, secure gates, clear debris, check fencing, and avoid leaving non-breakaway halters on horses that may become entangled.

Once conditions are safe enough to return, check the environment before handling horses. Look for downed power lines, broken boards, exposed nails, sharp metal, contaminated water, unstable trees, and damaged roofing. Then assess each horse for cuts, swelling, lameness, eye injury, breathing changes, dehydration, heat stress, or signs of colic.

Call your vet promptly if your horse has labored breathing, persistent coughing after smoke exposure, severe wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, eye pain, inability to bear weight, neurologic signs, or colic symptoms such as pawing, rolling, flank watching, or repeated lying down and getting up. Delays can make emergencies harder to treat.

Even mild stress can affect appetite, manure output, hydration, and behavior for a day or two after a storm. Keep routines as steady as possible, offer clean water and familiar forage, and monitor closely. If anything feels off, contacting your vet early is a smart step.