When a wildfire is bearing down, animals need to be evacuated quickly. If a horse is involved, that can only happen with advanced planning.
Every horse needs a go kit containing a halter and lead rope, feed and water buckets and at least one week’s worth of food and supplements. Also essential are a two-week supply of medications and a basic first aid kit. Key documents include photos, proof of ownership and the horse’s medical history, test results and vaccination records.
Well ahead of time, horses need to get used to boarding trailers with several different handlers. During evacuation, minimize smoke exposure and moisten hay and feed as needed.
If any horses have to be left behind, close the doors to empty barns and provide means of escape from fenced-in areas.