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Preparing for Fire
There is one thing that strikes fear into the heart of a horse owner more than anything during summer and that is the risk of bush fires. Whilst fires are an unavoidable reality of life in Australia, proper planning and preparation can help reduce the risk to your animals and property and help you feel ready should fire event occur.
Whether your horses are located at your own property or on agistment you should have a bushfire plan in place. Liaise with neighbours to have a community approach to fire preparation, and your property is as prepared as possible. Ensure fence lines are cleared; fire breaks mowed or ploughed and cleanup fallen trees and limbs. If you can help neighbours out it may help save your property.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE
Leaving early is the safest option – this means either the night before or morning of a day of elevated fire danger. It is often too late to leave once a fire has started.
Plan where you will go – you will need to check that the property is open, suitable for and willing to take your horse and is prepared in the event of a fire. Some examples include;
Neighbour or friend’s property
Local showgrounds
Sale yards
Racetracks
Pony Club ground
Contact your local council if you require further information on safe places you can take your horses.
If you have more horses than spots in your float or truck, know where you can obtain additional transport.
Communicate with friends and neighbours to advise them of your intention to evacuate and where you plan to go.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO STAY
Prepare your horses;
Remove all gear including rugs, halters and fly veils
Move your horse to a designated “safer area”, this may be
A large eaten out paddock
A serious of smaller eaten out paddocks with the internal gates left open, DO NOT open any external gates
A sand arena/ménage, provided there are no close by structures or vegetation that could catch fire
If available put the horses into a paddock that contains a dam
horses are quite good at avoiding bush fires if they have enough room to move freely and quickly into a large space without vegetation.
DO NOT let horses out onto roads
DO NOT lock horses into stables or small yards, they are likely to panic and injure themselves.
If possible, have hoses connected and sprinkler systems set up to spray surrounding areas to reduce embers catching and to spray over your horses.
AFTER THE FIRE
Check paddocks for any dangers including trees or limbs that may be likely to fall or fallen powerlines
Check water is not contaminated
DO NOT put horses back into paddocks that maybe have any potential dangers
Check fencing before putting horses back into paddocks
Move horses from hot ground so they don’t sustain any foot injury and to prevent laminitis
Horses tend to recover well from fire, but can sustain facial burns and swollen eyelids. If burns occur seek treatment from your vet and apply anti-inflammatory first aid (sponge cold water or stand in bucket of cold water).
There is no way of preventing fires, however, if we are proactive, we can minimize the damage fire can do to our properties and our horses. For more information, visit the CFA website who have technical notes for horse owners on how to prepare and deal with the threat of fires. Good Luck and Stay Safe. www.cfa.vic.gov.au