In order to end National Fire Prevention Week with a strong finish, we’ve put together some guidelines for owners of equestrian homes in the event of a fire.
Start by preparing yourself and your property for emergencies. Make a map of your home and the layout of the entire property. Delineate several exit routes on the map and make sure it is in plain view at all times, in a central location where all household members can see it or find it in a hurry. If you have staff, make sure they all have copies as well. Of course, make sure the phone numbers for the fire department are listed on the map.
Determine where all the water sources on the property are and make a map of this as well. This is critical, especially in the drier desert areas, such as Palm Desert, where fires can spread rapidly through dry brush. You may be able to significantly slow down the fire with these water sources while you wait for the fire department to arrive.
Develop a plan for transporting horses. Horses can be difficult to transport, especially if they are rushed or panicked. If you do have some warning, it may be possible to move them. Therefore, it’s essential to have suitable loading ramp on the property and sizable yards. It may be beneficial to practice loading the horses onto a truck a few times a year, so they are familiar with the process.
In the event that it’s not possible to fully relocate the horses, determine a safe zone on the property where they can be moved to. This should be a yard or area that is completely free of flammable materials and has no surrounding trees. Having this kind of area increases their chances of survival.