Horses

The safest preparation is to move your horses out of the area likely to be affected by an emergency.

Coordinate with neighbours, friends or livestock associations to relocate your horses.

Late evacuation could increase the chance of injury or death, particularly if the horse is hard to catch or difficult to load.

If it is not possible to move your horses, assess whether the environment will be safe for them for the duration of a disaster.

When planning for emergencies, consider:

• location and accessibility of your property
• condition and placement of your stable, yards and fences
• amount of available resources to combat a cyclone or flood.

Horse emergency kit

You should include the following items in your horse emergency kit:

• food and water for a minimum of five days
• feed buckets
• blankets and towels
• extra lead rope and halter
• wire cutters or pliers
• torch, portable radio, and fresh batteries
• wire cutter or plies
• equine first-aid items
• information about whether your horse is branded, registered or microchipped, stored in a waterproof container
• an emergency contact number for a vet stored in a ziplocked bag or waterproof container.

Move your horses early

A late evacuation could increase the chance of injury or death, particularly if the horse is hard to catch or load.

• Check local arrangements for relocation of horses.
• Coordinate relocation of horses with neighbours, friends or livestock associations as early as possible.

If you have to leave your horses

If it is not possible to relocate your horses:

• leave horses in a solid coded structure with loose objects tied down or stored away
• make sure the fences are secure if you leave horses in a paddock
• leave several horses together, if practical to do so, as they are herding animals.
• try to place horses in a smaller paddock that may prevent them from getting into a fast gallop, panicking and going through fences
• place identification on your horses by painting your name and phone number on them with livestock grease crayons or painting it on their hooves.

If you leave horses in a paddock or stable you should:

• place bell boots on them
• ensure all water troughs are full and have extra water available in case of power failure
• mark gates and water locations on a map of your property in case someone has to move your horses for you.

Download Prepare your horses for emergencies PDF (361.6 KB) quick reference guide