With extreme drought conditions throughout Florida, many areas are currently under threat of wildfire. For horse owners, it is important to develop an evacuation plan now, before mandatory evacuation orders are placed.
The information below can be printed as a checklist here:
Wildfire Checklist for Florida Horses
Make an Evacuation Plan:
- Create a list of a few locations to call as soon as evacuations are ordered. Confirm that there is currently space for your horse(s).
- When you know where your horse(s) will be staying, identify what will be provided and what you will need to bring along or purchase upon arrival.
Vaccines and Health Records: Ensure that your horse’s core vaccines are up-to-date. These include Eastern/Western Encephalitis, West Nile, Tetanus Toxoid, and Rabies. Place copies of health records in your “go bag” or digitize them for storage in a device you will take with you.
State Transport Requirements: In general, a health certificate and negative Coggins test are required to cross the state line.
Identification: Each horse should be identified with at least one, if not all, of the following:
- A leather halter with name/farm information in a zip lock bag secured to the halter with duct tape.
- A luggage tag with horse/farm name and phone number braided into tail. Make sure this is waterproof.
- Photos of each horse as proof of ownership highlighting obvious identifying marks.
Water: Prepare enough 6-gallon water buckets for transit to the destination.
Trailer Safety: Confirm trailer is in travel-ready condition.
- Check tires, brakes, lights, floor condition, etc.
- Fuel up vehicle(s).
- Ensure a fire extinguisher is on board and basic tools for vehicle maintenance.
Feed: Store the amount of food required to reach your destination at a minimum, but ideally enough for 3-5 days.
- Plan for feeding needs once at the shelter barn, especially if on a specialized diet.
Emergency First Aid Kit: Place in trailer.
- Bandages (leg wraps and quilts)
- Antiseptics
- Scissors/Knife
- Topical antibiotic ointments
- Tranquilizers
- Pain Relievers (phenylbutazone or Banamine®)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Extra halters/lead ropes
- Clean towels
- Fly spra
Turn Off Electrical Power to barn.
Until Evacuation is Ordered: If the area has a high concentration of smoke, bring horses indoors or consider evacuation until the air is clearer. Horses can also suffer from smoke inhalation lung injury.
