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Here are a few suggestions which some of us have come up with:

All of this should be kept in a trunk (or some such container) which is ONLY ACCESSED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR TO UPDATE RECORDS CONTAINED WITHIN. This “trunk” should be readily accessible (to you and emergency personnel) to travel with your animals in case of (for example) evacuation!

First: a binder or notebook containing the following:

Picture id of your horses with you/your family included in the picture!

Copy of your animals’ papers

Copy of CURRENT vet records for each animal

Copy of your photo id.

Address of where the animals are normally housed

Current map of your home area: streets/routes/neighbors/GATES/DRIVABLE ROADS/ sources of water

Name (s) and copy of photo id of any other people authorized to handle (be responsible for) the animals in such an emergency

Names and emergency (not homes cuz they probably won’t be in their homes/offices) contact telephone numbers for anyone you might need to contact: Vet, family, farrier, owners of boarded animals, animal control, insurance company, horse haulers, place to board if you cannot return home, feed store, etc.

Any notes on allergies your animals might have

Any notes on special needs of your animals

Any notes on behavior/personality quirks of your animals

A little spare cash/some checks/credit card #s….in case you and your wallet are separated (which really does happen)

Copies of vehicle/trailer id’s…..including descriptions of same!

I also include in our trunk:

Basic meds and first aid equipment (list to follow in another issue)
Basic bandaging material, leg wraps, etc.
Brushes
Extra halter(s) and leads
Soap (not shampoo)
Fly spray
Extra long rope (in case you have to make a picket or tie line for your animals)
Clean bucket and sponges
Hose and nozzle
Jar of Vick’s vapor rub…you might want to put some on your animals’ nose(s) [not in it] to mask strange smells
A couple of day’s supply of any meds/supplements that your animals get on a routine basis
At least one gallon jug of clean water
Four emergency flares
At least one (clean) towel of suitable size for making a blindfold
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Pocket knife (a good one, please)
Fence pliers
A few good snaps
A few lengths of baling twine
A big roll of duct tape
At least one large flashlight and spare batteries
Portable radio, and spare batteries

And now you may be asking yourself: why the photo id’s of you with your animals: so that you are able to prove that you/your family actually and legally does belong to the animal(s)! It is probable that you and your animals will be separated during an emergency requiring evacuation. It is a big hassle (sometimes) proving to which animal you belong.

And why the flares: to mark the four corners of your building for the air support in case of fire; or to aid emergency personnel in locating you/your vehicle in darkness or in case of breakdown!

Tempers and stress are already maxed; be prepared.

We keep our trunk, clearly labeled EMERGENCY in plain sight, and easily accessed at any time, right inside the barn. Having been through this type of thing more than once, and being just a little paranoid, we also keep one in each trailer. We also keep a blanket, change of clothes, records, etc. for the humans in each vehicle and trailer.

I hope that none of you ever has need for such emergency supplies. Please be prepared to take care of your animals and of yourselves. If you ever do need such a trunk one of two things will happen: A) you will be ever so thankful you have taken the time to plan ahead B) you will be kicking yourself in the ***** for not being prepared

"Ooooppppssss and sorry" are not solutions when panic strikes! Be safe and prepared, my friends. Your animals depend on you!

By Syd Cutting