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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Disaster Management > General Disaster Management Information


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Washington Racetrack Braces for Regional Flooding
Emerald Downs of Auburn, Wash., is on alert this winter for possible flooding in the Green River Valley, and has outlined procedures to ensure the safety of employees, patrons, and horses. Although Emerald Downs, which sits on 167 acres just north of downtown Auburn, is in a safe zone on a map outlining Green River Flood Impact, the track is taking ... Read full story
 11/16/2009
Large Animal Rescue Training to be Offered in Kentucky
Registration is now open for an annual large animal rescue training opportunity for first responders, emergency medical technicians, veterinarians, firefighters, and other emergency/rescue personnel. Technical Large-Animal Emergency Rescue Training is provided cooperatively by USRider and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Two rescue training seminars ... Read full story
 10/28/2009
Six Tulsa Horses Killed on Highway  *
Six horses were killed and two drivers were hospitalized after a reported eight horses got out of their pasture and ran loose on Highway 169 in Tulsa, Okla., about three o'clock this morning (Oct. 16), according to kjrh.com. At one point there were reports of 30-40 horses loose on the highway, which was closed until the surviving horses could be ... Read full story
 10/16/2009
Georgia Horse Farm Damaged in Flash Floods   *
Recent flash floods in Georgia killed nine people and caused the region to be declared a federal disaster area. Willowbrook Equestrian Center in Villa Rica, Ga., sustained significant damage including the loss of two horses. Willowbrook is owned by U.S. Dressage Federation silver and bronze medalist and U.S. Equestrian Federation “R” rated judge Leslie ... Read full story
 9/29/2009
Seven Horses Die in Maryland Boarding Barn Fire   *
Seven horses died in a fire at a boarding facility in Chesapeake City, Md., Sunday morning, The Associated Press reported. Joseph Zurolo, a spokesman for the state fire marshal's office, said five of the horses belonged to one family. The fire at Royal Equestrian Center caused damage of around $1 million. The report noted it took 75 firefighters ... Read full story
 9/28/2009
Louisiana State Animal Team Acquires Disaster Response Vehicle  *
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), has acquired a deluxe custom-designed animal emergency response unit. With support from the ASPCA and IFAW, LSART was able to outfit a heavy-duty truck and ... Read full story
 9/24/2009
13 Fires Burning in California, Horse Evacuation Sites Available  *
It's fire season in California, where a shortage of rainfall has resulted in dry conditions. As of Monday evening, there were 13 fires burning throughout the state. In Southern California, the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Flintridge had already burned more than 100,000 acres and was only 5% contained as of Monday evening. It destroyed ... Read full story
 9/1/2009
Los Angeles Horse Owners Evacuating Ahead of Fire  *
Horse owners in the path of the Station fire are urged to bring their animals to Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, the Los Angeles Times reported. The previous site, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Griffith Park, was filled as of Saturday night. The fire has burned more than 20,000 acres. The paper reported mandatory evacuations ... Read full story
 8/30/2009
Tips to Protect Horses, Livestock from Wildfire   *
Horse owners and ranchers can take precautions to reduce the risk and spread of wildfire and protect their animals from injury or death by fire, said Texas AgriLife agents. "The most important thing to remember is to have a fire plan in place," said Rick Machen, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist in Uvalde. "You'll have a limited ... Read full story
 8/21/2009
Storm Causes Severe Flooding at Churchill Downs; Horses Safe  *
A torrential rainstorm in the Louisville, Ky., area Aug. 4 is wreaking havoc at Churchill Downs. Flooding has caused several horses to be removed from the barn area, both the main track and infield are completely underwater, and employees at the racetrack have been unable to get off the property due to severe flooding in the parking lot and on many ... Read full story
 8/4/2009
Drought Burdens Texas Horse Rescues  *
Texas' worst drought in 50 years has burnt up pasture and raised the price of hay, leaving horse rescues to cope with an increase in abandonment and neglect cases as owners struggle to feed their horses. "The cost of hay is going up, if you can even find it," said Jennifer Williams, PhD, president and executive director of Texas' Bluebonnet Equine ... Read full story
 7/23/2009
Horses Evacuated from British Columbia Fires  *
Most horses are now safe from forest fires that have been burning west of Kelowna, British Columbia, thanks to the efforts of the Kelowna SPCA, the B.C. Interior Horse Rescue, and the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team. The fires drove more than 11,000 people from their homes over the weekend, while several thousand more remain on evacuation ... Read full story
 7/20/2009
Horse Owner Disaster Prep Videos Available   *
When an emergency or natural disaster occurs, horse owners must be prepared to take the necessary precautions. In some circumstances this requires evacuating the area. Texas A&M University developed three video segments on sheltering and evacuating horses during a natural disaster or emergency situation. Video Segments Evacuating Horses ... Read full story
 7/15/2009
Horse Farms Damaged in Ice Storm Will Not Receive USDA Aid  *
Dozens of Central Kentucky horse farms that suffered significant damage from a January ice storm will not receive any relief from the USDA due to the wording in the agency's handbook. Five months after horse industry officials lobbied for funds from the USDA's Emergency Conservation Program to help cover farm property damage, the USDA delivered its ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Georgia Horse on the Mend after Lightning Strike  *
A 12-year-old gelding in Dalton, Ga., is recovering after being struck by lightning on Thursday, according to an article from The Daily Citizen. Clues suggest Hershel was standing under a pine tree with two other horses when lightning associated with a midday storm struck the tree, ran down the trunk, and hit Hershel, who was knocked to the ground. ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
Florida Vet Clinic Hosting Free Hurricane Expo for Horse Owners   *
Thanks to support received from the ASPCA as well as many other local and professional groups, Surgi-Care Center for Horses of Brandon, Fla., will host an expo June 13 to help area horse owners learn how to prepare for hurricanes and other disasters. Lectures will include: Introduction to hurricane and disaster preparedness The roles of animal ... Read full story
 6/10/2009
Hurricane Season Tips for Horse Owners   *
With the hurricane season upon us, it is important for horse owners to ready themselves in advance for evacuation and other recommended tasks related to hurricane preparedness. Here are some tips from the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) and the Equine Health Studies Program at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for effectively preparing ... Read full story
 6/4/2009
Dealing with Disaster: Equine Nutrition in Less-than-Ideal Conditions   *
Horses thrive on routine, and nowhere is this more true than in feed management. After the ideal type and amount of grass, hay, and grain are determined for each individual horse, with attention to that animal's age, body condition, use, and metabolism, it's best to stick to that regimen to maintain health and avoid digestive upsets. Clean water should ... Read full story
 5/26/2009
Florida Horse Owners Urged to Make Disaster Plans  *
Hurricane season gets under way in just a few weeks, and Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is reminding people to get an emergency plan in place now for their animals. Bronson says people should not wait until the last minute to think about how they are going to keep pets and other animals safe during a hurricane. ... Read full story
 5/18/2009
After the Flood: Returning Horses to Sodden Stables   *
After a flood, stalls and paddocks need to be cleaned and disinfected before horses can go back to those areas. Charlie Stoltenow, DVM, North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian, and Carrie Hammer, DVM, PhD, NDSU Extension equine specialist, recommend removing any bedding, feed, manure, debris, or mud and sweeping or scrubbing ... Read full story
 5/6/2009
Kentucky Ice Storm Illustrates Anatomy of a Disaster   *
A winter weather warning for Kentucky had been issued, and all the horses were in the barn for the night as a precaution. After all, how often have the weather forecasters been overenthusiastic about "catastrophic" storms? Overnight the electricity went out; both landline and cell phones were dead. Trees, limbs and telephone poles were down, blocking ... Read full story
 4/7/2009
Vet Groups, Red Cross form Disaster Relief Partnership  *
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have signed a partnership agreement with the American Red Cross to help protect animals and pets during emergencies. "The American Red Cross is proud to continue our partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Association," said Mary DeWitt-Dia, ... Read full story
 3/30/2009
Australia Bushfires: Groups See to Horse Health, Care  *
As uncontrolled bushfires continue to sweep through the Australian state of Victoria, horse health and rescue aid associations are working round the clock to keep up with the expanding need for emergency equine care. The fires have reportedly affected hundreds of horses, as the flames continue to consume hot, dry, mountainous areas. Horse owners ... Read full story
 2/25/2009
Australia Fires: Lost and Found Horse Registry Launched  *
Equine charity Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria (PHHWV) has launched a lost and found registry for horses misplaced during the recent bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria. The registry can be accessed via the PHHWV Web site. "We have received many calls from people who have had horses wander into their properties after the fires," the ... Read full story
 2/17/2009
Australia Fires: Livestock Assessment Begins, Feed Needed  *
Recovery from the recent fires in the Australian state of Victoria is just beginning. The fires burned an estimated 850 square miles. According to the state's Department of Primary Industries, Victoria produces around 26% of Australia's agriculture and food from 3% of Australia's arable land. According to a statement on the DPI Web site, livestock ... Read full story
 2/9/2009
AAEP 2008: Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Barn Fires   *
At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, noted that barn fires are the No. 1 local emergency that affects everyone from horse owners to veterinarians, and property owners to the horses themselves. Barn fires kill more horses annually than any other type of nonmedical ... Read full story
 2/4/2009
Hay Situation Emerges After Washington Waters Recede  *
Although the floodwaters that covered much of western Washington earlier this month have receded, they left a lot of damage--and a lot of ruined hay and grain. The horse community is working together to help those in need, and some businesses are also chipping in. People from around the country have sent donations to www.flakesale.com, raising more ... Read full story
 1/25/2009
Safety Tips for Horses Caught in Floods  *
In the wake of the recent flooding in the Pacific Northwest, Tomas Gimenez, Dr.Med.Vet, of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue weighed in on safety tips for horse owners managing horses and farms in flood conditions. His pointers include: Keep horses in a safe place on high ground. In high water, they might not see fences and can get caught ... Read full story
 1/13/2009
Floods: Washington Water Begins to Recede   *
Washington residents are starting to recover from this week's flood conditions, which the Associated Press reported as the worst on record. Horse owner Josie Owens of Carnation, Wash., was trapped on the second floor of her home yesterday. Today she was able to walk outside, feed the 14 horses that remain on the property, and assess damage. "I ... Read full story
 1/9/2009
Washington Horse Owners Seek High Ground  *
More than 30,000 Washington residents have fled their homes due to flooding caused by deep snow melting in warm, rainy conditions. Many horse owners are evacuating their horses or moving them to high ground. Josie Owens of Carnation had to make a decision as to which of the 30 horses in her care to send to Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe for safekeeping, ... Read full story
 1/8/2009
Weathering Gustav and Ike  *
We had our plan for Hurricane Gustav. We had been here before with Katrina. Schedules were set. Evacuation of coastal parishes was going well. Coastal pet owners and their pets (large and small) were settling in to shelters. Most horse owners knew they needed to move quickly before mandatory contraflow (government routing of evacuation traffic outward ... Read full story
 11/1/2008
California Fires: Horse Owners Take a Stand  *
Los Angeles Animal Regulations rescue worker Kim Avalos was tied up in another evacuation when she heard that her own ranch was in the line of the wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County last week. But the hard work of those on the scene kept the 83 horses at her Mountain Meadows Equestrian Center in Chatsworth safe. Unable to reach the ranch ... Read full story
 10/20/2008
California Fires: One Fully Contained, Another at 90%  *
Los Angeles County horse owners slept a little easier last night, as the Marek fire was completely contained and the Sesnon fire 90% contained. All evacuees have been given the all-clear to return to their homes. The fires began on Sunday morning and were fueled by high winds and dry conditions. The two fires charred over 18,000 acres, destroyed 57 ... Read full story
 10/17/2008
California Fires Coming Under Control, Red Flag Warning Remains  *
By Wednesday night, firefighters in Southern California were gaining ground against the wildfires that had been affecting the area, forcing many horse owners to evacuate with their animals. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported the Marek fire was 92% contained with predictions of being fully contained by midnight, and the ... Read full story
 10/16/2008
California Fires: Not all Equine Evacuations According to Plan   *
Although the Los Angeles Department Animal Care and Control and the Equine Response Team coordinated to help as many horse owners as possible with evacuations, the fire moved too quickly to allow them to reach everyone. With high winds spurring on the flames, some owners were forced to escape with their horses on foot until help could arrive. Erica ... Read full story
 10/16/2008
California Wildfire Danger Eases as Winds Fade   *
Like thousands of residents, Tanya Valdivia was allowed back in her neighborhood after firefighters began to surround the remnants of three major wildfires that forced widespread evacuations this week in Southern California. The news for Valdivia wasn't good: Her home was among 54 lost in one of two big fires that erupted in suburban Los Angeles ... Read full story
 10/16/2008
Fires: Some California Horses Able to Return Home, Others Now Evacuating   *
After living in evacuation centers for nearly three days, some of the horses displaced by the Marek fire in Los Angeles County were allowed to go home Tuesday night. The fire was 80% contained with 4,824 acres burned by 9:00 p.m. It should be fully contained Thursday, according to CalFire. However, the horses leaving the shelters at Hansen Dam, Pierce ... Read full story
 10/15/2008
Fires: L.A. Animal Services Allows Horses to Leave Shelters  *
Los Angeles Animal Services is currently monitoring the welfare of horses in the various shelters, according to Kathy Davis, assistant general manager. The animals are allowed to leave as the Fire Department releases holds on various areas. A full debrief will take place within the next week to discuss what went well and what can be learned from the ... Read full story
 10/15/2008
Horse Owners Evacuating Ahead of California Fires  *
Horse owners are trying to get themselves and their animals out of the way as two fires burn out of control in the Los Angeles area. The Marek fire in the San Fernando Valley had burned 4,726 acres by Monday afternoon, and the Sesnon Fire, located in the Porter Ranch area, had consumed 5,000. The many horses in the area are finding refuge at the Hansen ... Read full story
 10/14/2008
Some California Horses Waiting Fire Out at Holding Facilities  *
Horses evacuated from fire zones in Ventura County, Calif. are residing in temporary holding facilities at the county fairgrounds while firefighters battle the latest round of wildfires sweeping the region. According to Capt. John Alford of the Ventura County Fire Department, county fire officials ordered owners to evacuate their horses on Monday ... Read full story
 10/14/2008
Galveston Horse Rescue Effort Wraps Up  *
A week and a half after Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston, Texas, horse rescue groups working the scene are scaling back their involvement as horse owners return to reclaim their animals and start the long rebuilding process. Jerry Finch, president of Habitat for Horses, an equine protection organization based in Galveston County, played a key role ... Read full story
 9/26/2008
Texas Equine Rescue Needs Help Following Hurricane  *
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, which has rescue horses stationed in foster homes throughout Texas and Arkansas, could use some help cleaning up after Hurricane Ike. While the group moved its foster and adopted horses well out of harm's way, many of the foster homes they rely on sustained damage. Society President Jennifer Williams, PhD, normally ... Read full story
 9/24/2008
Hurricane Recovery Progress Report Features Carcass Disposal Update, Hay Hotline  *
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) sent this update on Friday, Sept. 19: A TAHC assessment team has nearly completed the Galveston Island large animal assessment. Fresh water supplies are being supplied for rescued and stabled animals. The Texas Department of State Health Services has declared the island unsafe and has advised citizens to leave ... Read full story
 9/20/2008
After the Hurricane: Flooding, Mosquitoes, and Equine Disease   *
Recent flooding, including flooding from storm surge and rains due to Hurricane Ike, likely will lead to significantly increased mosquito activity in many parts of Texas. "Flooding in many parts of the state has created optimal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, making these areas a regular hotbed of mosquito activity," said Mark Johnsen, PhD, a ... Read full story
 9/19/2008
Hurricane Livestock Rescue Effort Continues   *
Since the day after 20-foot storm surges sent water destroying nearly all of the fences throughout the Chambers and Jefferson counties of Texas, forcing some 20,000 livestock to make a desperate run for high ground, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service has been directing what could be billed as one of the largest livestock rescue efforts in state history. ... Read full story
 9/19/2008
AAEP Foundation Disaster Relief Fund Accepting Aid for Horses  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation's Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Louisiana and Texas. Money donated to the fund will go to credible programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and any future disasters that might ... Read full story
 9/18/2008
Tips on Caring for Livestock After Hurricanes  *
Immediate danger to livestock from hurricanes comes from drowning due to storm surges and accumulated rainfall. Injury can occur from flying debris or electric shock from downed power lines. But the risk of injury doesn't end when the storm passes. "After the hurricane, danger to livestock can come from several sources," said Joe Paschal, PhD, AgriLife ... Read full story
 9/18/2008
Feed, Hay Needed for 20,000 Animals Displaced by Hurricane   *
An estimated 20,000 head of displaced cattle and horses in both the Chambers and Jefferson counties of Texas are in immediate need of hay and fresh water resulting from Hurricane Ike's storm surges in southeast Texas, livestock officials said Monday. Contributions of hay, water troughs, feedstocks, such as range cubes, or cash contributions are needed ... Read full story
 9/17/2008
Hurricane Recovery: Protocol Established for Livestock Carcass Disposal  *
Texas livestock owners who lost animals during Hurricane Ike need to make sure they follow protocol when disposing of carcasses, said two Texas AgriLife Extension Service engineers and other state officials. The Texas Animal Health Commission is conducting ground and aerial surveys of the storm's aftermath, but hundreds of head of livestock are expected ... Read full story
 9/17/2008
Equine Evacuation Site Reports Smooth Sailing During Ike  *
With around 175 horses protected under its roof, the Brazos County Special Event Facilities came through Hurricane Ike in fine shape, according to facility Director Tom Quarles. "The horses and the livestock made it through fine," Quarles said. "From all the comments we've had from people who evacuated, I think as a whole they were very, very appreciative ... Read full story
 9/17/2008
Hurricane Update: Horses in Coastal Texas Receive Care, Hay   *
As of the afternoon of Sept. 17, about 100 horses remained on Galveston Island, while another 23 had been moved to a staging area on the mainland for further care, according to Jerry Finch, president of Habitat for Horses, an equine protection organization based in Galveston County. Finch said the horses remaining on the island are being cared for ... Read full story
 9/17/2008
Groups Working to Rescue Stranded Galveston Horses   *
While most residents fled the island of Galveston, Texas, as Hurricane Ike approached amid National Weather Service warnings of "certain death," numerous horses and other livestock were left behind. Now rescuers are working to get the surviving animals to safety on the mainland, where a staging area for horses has been set up at Jack Brooks Park in ... Read full story
 9/16/2008
Rescuer Credits Katrina for Better Hurricane Preparation, Evacuation   *
Many horses in Texas and Louisiana emerged from Hurricane Ike unscathed due, in part, to their owners' memories of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, said large animal rescue specialist Tomas Gimenez, Dr.Med.Vet. "People relocated their horses a week before Hurricane Ike arrived," said Gimenez, founder and instructor for Technical Large Emergency ... Read full story
 9/16/2008
Tips on Horse Management Following a Disaster   *
The Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART), a program of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation that coordinates preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for animals affected by disasters in the state of Texas, has released some tips on managing animals following a disaster. The group recommends that people remain calm and seek information ... Read full story
 9/15/2008
Prior Evacuations Help Louisiana Horses Weather Hurricane Ike  *
Despite high winds and heavy flooding, horses in Louisiana weathered Hurricane Ike's assault on the Gulf Coast with relative ease thanks to evacuation plans executed just weeks ago in advance of Hurricane Gustav. "About 50 horses had to be moved to higher ground over the weekend because of flooding," said Rebecca McConnico, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVIM, ... Read full story
 9/15/2008
Hurricane Recovery: Contacts for Texas Livestock Owners, Rescue Crews  *
From the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): Animal response to Hurricane Ike continues to be a team effort, as the issues are much larger than the resources of any one agency or association. The TAHC statewide has worked with the livestock industry to establish sites for emergency shelters, and with local governments, agencies, and associations ... Read full story
 9/15/2008
Hurricane Recovery: Equine Needs Being Assessed, Vets Asked to Check In  *
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) continue to address animal issues resulting from Hurricane Ike. An Area Command was established in the TAHC headquarters Thursday, and can be reached at 800/550-8242, ext. 296. The TAHC Area Command coordinates with the State Operations Center at the Governor's ... Read full story
 9/14/2008
Texans Endure Sleepless Night As Ike Roars Ashore  *
A colossal Hurricane Ike menaced the darkened Texas coast early Saturday, ensuring a sleepless night for thousands who huddled and waited to find out if a gamble to face the storm head-on could cost them their lives. Before the eye even crossed land, the first bands were punishing. Wind-whipped waves surged over a 17-foot seawall in Galveston and ... Read full story
 9/13/2008
University of Florida Veterinary Disaster Response Team Learns New Skills  *
When it comes to teams representing the University of Florida, the national champion football and basketball teams might be getting all the headlines, but the University's College of Veterinary Medicine Disaster Response Team should not be overlooked. This group is actively seeking training to become a first-class disaster response unit. Besides ... Read full story
 9/11/2008
Find Equine Evacuation Sites in Texas   *
The Texas Animal Health Commission is advising those evacuating for Hurricane Ike to call 2-1-1 for the latest information on available facilities open for emergency animal sheltering for livestock and pets. "The 2-1-1 operators assist evacuees with other information, and operational animal shelters are another important piece of information the ... Read full story
 9/11/2008
Texas A&M Vet College Helping Coordinate Area Equine Evacuation  *
As Hurricane Ike sets its eye on the Texas Coast, thousands of coastal residents are going to be mandated to evacuate their homes. In the aftermath of Katrina, it was discovered that many of those who suffered the greatest losses were those who stayed behind because they were unable to bring their animals with them in an evacuation. Following that ... Read full story
 9/11/2008
Texas Horses Move Inland as Hurricane Ike Approaches  *
Many Texas horse owners are moving with their horses out of harm's way as Hurricane Ike approaches the coast. As of 1 p.m., CDT, Ike was a Category 2 hurricane, but the National Hurricane Center noted in a public bulletin that it was expected to become "a major hurricane" before reaching the Texas Gulf Coast. While the center of the storm is forecast ... Read full story
 9/11/2008
LSU Veterinary Hospital Carries on after Hurricane Gustav  *
The Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Teaching Hospital remained open for emergency service following Hurricane Gustav. Since the storm struck the Louisiana coast, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital has treated about 100 domestic animals, not including the large number of baby squirrels and a number of baby birds ... Read full story
 9/8/2008
Powerful Hurricane Ike Looms as Trouble for Gulf  *
Powerful Hurricane Ike rolled down an uncertain path Sunday that may lead to the U.S. Gulf Coast late this week, forcing emergency officials to pay attention and leaving millions of people from Florida to Mexico to wonder where it will eventually strike. (Hurricane Ike can be seen in this satellite image taken earlier this weekend as the well-formed ... Read full story
 9/7/2008
Horse Owners Brace for Tropical Storm Hanna  *
From Charleston to Chincoteague, horse owners along the southern East Coast are battening down the hatches as Tropical Storm Hanna heads their way. Vacillating between a strong tropical storm and a Category 1 hurricane, Hanna is expected to strengthen slightly before making landfall around Myrtle Beach, S.C., tonight. Forecasts show the storm will ... Read full story
 9/5/2008
LSU Equine Opens Hotline for Horse Owners in Need  *
In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and team members of the Equine Health Studies Program have developed a call center for the purpose of responding to the potential needs of horse owners in southern Louisiana. The telephone number for horse owners in need is 225/578-9501. This ... Read full story
 9/4/2008
More Storms Coming, Include Animals in Disaster Plans  *
On the heels of Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storm Hanna is making its way across the Bahamas and could land anywhere between Florida and the Carolinas later this week. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is urging residents who might be in the path of the storm to gather supplies and review their animal evacuation plans. Tropical Storms Ike ... Read full story
 9/4/2008
Four September Hurricanes in Forecast  *
Colorado hurricane researchers are forecasting five tropical storms in the Atlantic this month, including four hurricanes, two of them major. Former Colorado State University climatologist William Gray said Tuesday that, if predictions hold true, activity would be nearly twice as busy as an average September. Gray has been issuing hurricane forecasts ... Read full story
 9/3/2008
Kentucky Horse Council to Coordinate Disaster Relief  *
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) has offered to provide a central coordination point for those in Kentucky organizing efforts to support horses affected by hurricanes, floods, fire, and other natural disasters. KHC responds to equine crisis through its welfare hotline, which connects Kentucky horses in need with feed, care, and transport. "Providing ... Read full story
 9/3/2008
Louisiana Horses Weather Gustav Well  *
Retired Thoroughbred racehorse Robyn Dancer was in his stall at Shady Lane Farm in Opelousas, La., when Hurricane Gustav swept through on Monday. Gustav's wind ripped the roof off the stallion's stall and demolished the tack room beside it. But Robyn Dancer came through the storm without injury, as did the more than 50 other horses and foals on the ... Read full story
 9/3/2008
Mississippi Horse Park Available as Equine Evacuation Site   *
When hurricanes approach the Mississippi and Louisiana shores, many coastal horse owners seek refuge at the Mississippi Horse Park near Starkville. The horse park has 300 stalls and 150 RV sites. "We expect to see a lot of repeat customers from past hurricane evacuations," said Bricklee Miller, manager of the Mississippi Horse Park and Agricenter, ... Read full story
 9/2/2008
East Coast Warned of Potential Hurricanes Hanna, Ike  *
Families clutched mattresses, chairs and other belongings and slogged through waist-high floodwaters Tuesday as Tropical Storm Hanna killed at least 13 people in northern Haiti. The slow-moving storm threatened to hit the southeastern U.S. coast as a hurricane within days. Hanna's maximum sustained winds slipped to 70 mph, but the U.S. National Hurricane ... Read full story
 9/2/2008
Louisiana State University Seeks Volunteers to Aid Hurricane Recovery  *
Louisiana State University (LSU) is seeking volunteers to assist with hurricane recovery efforts. Areas of the school have been prepared to serve as triage centers. These areas are being staffed with university and state representatives who will be prepared to triage and accept patients from evacuated areas. In 2005, the LSU community impressed ... Read full story
 9/1/2008
Veterinary Assistance Requested in Hurricane Path  *
The State of Louisiana is immediately seeking veterinarians and veterinary technicians who would like to volunteer their time and skills during evacuations and sheltering following Tropical Storm Gustav. The state anticipates a need for six veterinarians and 12 veterinary technicians, who would be deployed into areas to work in emergency shelters. ... Read full story
 9/1/2008
Gustav Makes Landfall West of New Orleans   *
A weakened Hurricane Gustav crashed Monday into the flood-prone but nearly deserted coast of Louisiana, making landfall west of New Orleans as a Category 2 storm. Water was splashing over some floodwalls, but city officials were optimistic the levees protecting the city would hold. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Gustav hit just before ... Read full story
 9/1/2008
ASPCA Deploys Disaster Response Team for Hurricane Gustav   *
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has deployed a team of disaster response experts to assist the state of Louisiana in pre- and post-storm evacuation and sheltering in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav. Louisiana state officials have declared a pre-storm State of Emergency, and Gustav is a Category 3 Hurricane ... Read full story
 8/31/2008
HSUS Prepares Rescue Team for Response as Gustav Nears   *
As Tropical Storm Gustav continues to strengthen, residents of the Gulf Coast brace themselves for the potentially deadly impact. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is preparing its staff and equipment to respond. "Our entire animal rescue team has been put on standby to deploy at a moment's notice if our assistance is needed," said Scotlund ... Read full story
 8/30/2008
Coastal Horse Owners and Veterinarians Get Ready for Gustav  *
On the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, horse owners and veterinarians in the New Orleans area are fleeing ahead of Gustav, a storm the National Weather Service says is likely to become "a large, powerful hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast." Although it depends on other pressure systems in the area, current predictions put ... Read full story
 8/29/2008
Katrina, Three Years Later: New Orleans Horse Industry Coming Back  *
With preparations for the approaching Hurricane Gustav taking center stage, some of the planned ceremonies to mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina were canceled or hurried. But the lasting damage of that storm cannot be forgotten, as it's still clearly visible in many areas, according to Allison Barca, DVM, a veterinarian who serves New ... Read full story
 8/29/2008
New Orleans Remembers Unidentified Katrina Victims  *
As another tropical storm looms, New Orleans residents are marking the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a ceremony to remember victims who were never identified. A horse-drawn carriage delivered seven unclaimed bodies to a memorial site Friday and a solemn bell-ringing ceremony marked the hour the city's levees began to give way in 2005. ... Read full story
 8/29/2008
Mexico Flooding Kills Horses, Watchman at Equestrian Club  *
Heavy rains have killed at least 50 horses at a Mexico City equestrian club and the 71-year-old watchman who tried to save them, officials said Tuesday. A Monday night storm sent mud and floodwaters spilling through the La Barranca horse club, trapping many of the horses in their stalls, said Mexico State emergency director Arturo Vilchis. At least ... Read full story
 8/26/2008
Tropical Storm Fay Damages Equine Hospital   *
Although Tropical Storm Fay attacked the Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, Fla., with a vengeance on Aug. 19, no people or horses were injured. The veterinarians were quickly back at work, and the clinic was running fairly normally as of Aug. 22. "We're definitely functional," said Dawn Loesch, DVM, one of the clinic's veterinarians. "None ... Read full story
 8/22/2008
Prepare Plans and Farms for Hurricane Season   *
With the hurricane season upon us, Louisiana State University (LSU) is reminding horse owners of steps they can take to ready themselves in advance for evacuation, as well as other recommended tasks related to hurricane preparedness. Here are some tips from the Louisiana State Animal Response Team and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for effectively ... Read full story
 8/20/2008
California Wildfires: Keep Horses Healthy in Smoky Conditions  *
Wildfires continue to burn in California, renewing concerns about the effects of smoke-filled air on equine health. "Exercise (in a smoky environment) or excessive exposure to smoke may compromise a horse for weeks or months to come," said David Wilson, BVMS, MS, of the University of California, Davis, Center for Equine Health. Tevis officials ... Read full story
 7/16/2008
Fires: Emergency Planning For Your Horse  *
A wildfire occurs and you need to evacuate. In the smoke and confusion, a beloved horse refuses to load in the trailer. Now you're faced with making decisions. What's the best thing to do? This is just one of many stressful situations that can happen during a fire. While it might seem like a remote possibility, the Washington Department of Natural ... Read full story
 7/11/2008
California Wildfires: Tevis Cup Endurance Race Cancelled  *
As a result of ongoing California wildfires, the 2008 Tevis Cup endurance race has been cancelled. The 100-mile ride, which was scheduled to take place July 19, draws entries from around the world. Although the fires are not on the trail at this time, officials have deemed air quality in the area dangerous to both equine and human competitors. Road ... Read full story
 7/10/2008
Missouri Horses Relocated in Face of Floods   *
Long before the Mississippi River threatened their properties, horse owners around Hannibal, Mo., were able to get their horses safely to higher ground, thanks to early warnings and help from neighbors. "We've been fighting the Mississippi River for three or four weeks now," said Al Kennett, livestock specialist for the University of Missouri. "But ... Read full story
 6/25/2008
Midwest Flooding to Impact Corn Prices, Horse Feed   *
Just when horse owners became resigned to escalating corn prices due to ethanol demand, Midwest corn fields were swamped by floodwaters the Mississippi River's banks just couldn't contain. Now with acres of corn fields deluged, growers and consumers are wondering if the corn season can be salvaged enough to keep corn prices from growing out of control. ... Read full story
 6/20/2008
Few Horses Stranded by Iowa Floods  *
When levies failed and floodwaters put most of Cedar Rapids, Iowa under water, the Iowa Equestrian Center on the Kirkwood Community College campus became a temporary shelter for more than 700 displaced animals. But only eight of them are horses. "The only horses we got were rescued and brought to us from Palo, about 20 miles away," said Steve Carpenter, ... Read full story
 6/19/2008
HSUS Animal Rescue Team Deployed to Iowa Floods   *
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has deployed a team of trained specialists to offer logistical support and supplies, as well as perform water rescue of animals displaced by the floods. Mass flooding across Iowa has forced thousands of residents from their homes. "Animals are intertwined in our daily lives--this is most apparent during ... Read full story
 6/16/2008
Industry Debates Animal Identification System's Impact on Horses  *
Despite considerable opposition from groups who say the program is unworkable or an invasion of privacy, the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is making inexorable inroads into the lives of horse owners. Jim Morehead, DVM, president of the Equine Species Working Group (ESWG), an independent body composed of representatives from over 30 ... Read full story
 6/14/2008
Iowa Pony Club Coordinating Equestrian Tornado Relief  *
Some of the victims of the recent tornadoes in Iowa have lost almost everything they own, including their homes, barns, horses and ponies, and all of their equipment. One of the local Pony Clubs in the affected area has started to collect items for two of its member families in need. The two families have lost everything. The children are members ... Read full story
 5/30/2008
Animal Relief En Route to Myanmar  *
After weeks of resistance from the military regime which governs Myanmar (a country in southeast Asia formerly known as Burma), animal welfare workers from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) finally have been given permission to enter the country to provide assistance for millions of animals affected by a devastating cyclone that ... Read full story
 5/27/2008
Central California Wildfire Prompts Evacuations   *
Hundreds of people evacuated from their homes were anxiously waiting Friday to be let back into their neighborhoods while frustrated firefighters battled a fast-moving wildfire burning in a central California mountain range. About 1,400 homes were under evacuation orders--336 of them mandatory--as the fire continued to grow despite more than 65 engines, ... Read full story
 5/23/2008
North Dakota Database Connects Horse Owners, Hay Sellers  *
Drought conditions in parts of western North Dakota have some livestock producers in need of additional forage. Farmers and ranchers who have forage for sale can list it on a North Dakota State University (NDSU) database designed to help feed sellers and buyers connect. Producers can also use this service to list pasture they have available for rent. ... Read full story
 5/13/2008
Arkansas Horse Owners Face Floods   *
Despite rising river waters and extensive flooding throughout Northeast and Central Arkansas, Kay Jordan has not received a single call from horse owners with stranded animals. "I would have heard from local humane societies if there was a problem because we cover most of the state," said Jordan, executive director of the Pulaski County Humane Society. ... Read full story
 3/27/2008
How to Airlift a Horse  *
Attendees at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention have enjoyed accounts of spectacular helicopter-assisted equine rescues for the last several years during the popular Kester News Hour session. In 2007 the presenter of those reports, John Madigan, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, director of the large animal hospital at the University of ... Read full story
 3/24/2008
Texas Horses Avoid Mass Wildfire Evacuations  *
As wildfires continue to skip across Texas, the blazes have not yet caused mass evacuations of horses in affected areas, emergency management officials said on Wednesday. "We've had a number of fires over the past several weeks including 30 today," said Dave Tomkins, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Texas Animal Health Commission in Austin. ... Read full story
 2/27/2008
Wildfires Threaten Texas Horses  *
Monday night, reining horse breeder and trainer Dee Hertig watched a line of wildfires creep closer to her Young County, Texas, ranch. With 12 horses in the pasture, she and husband, Jack, had to think fast to come up with a plan to get their herd out of harm's way. "The whole horizon was red," Hertig said. "So my husband went out on the tractor ... Read full story
 2/26/2008
Tennessee Tornadoes: Horse Owners Recovering  *
The community of Williamson County, Tenn., is still reeling from the trio of tornadoes that ripped through Tennessee Feb. 5 and 6. The storms destroyed homes, demolished barns, and swept up horses in strong winds, according to resident Vivi Miller. "It's chaos," said Miller of her community, which is just west of Nashville. "We had three storm cells ... Read full story
 2/19/2008
Animal Disaster Planning Legislation Introduced in Washington State   *
According to a statement released by The Humane Society of the United States, more than 1,200 animals died during the recent floods that ravaged southwest Washington State. The majority were farm animals and horses that could not escape and drowned because they were confined or unable to move to higher ground. Some farmers not only lost their animals ... Read full story
 1/28/2008
USDA to Distribute $1 Billion for Crop, Livestock Loss   *
The USDA will begin issuing payments to tens of thousands of farmers and ranchers across the country who suffered losses because of natural disasters, acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced Dec. 19. "Numerous agricultural producers suffered financial hardships in recent years because of floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other weather-related ... Read full story
 12/27/2007
Be Prepared  *
Nature can be awesome, and deadly. As horse owners we love to be outside pretty much all of the time. A solitary ride through huge flakes of falling snow. A spring canter among flowers and green grass. Summer competitions. Crunching leaves in the fall forest. But Nature also means we face drought, floods, storms, blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, and ... Read full story
 12/1/2007
San Diego Fires Firsthand: Recovery  *
Follow along with horse owner and magazine publisher Cheryl Erpelding as she recounts her experience keeping her family and horses one step ahead of the flames as wildfires race across Southern California. The Southern California fires of 2007 have destroyed about 1,500 homes and burned more than 700 square miles across five counties, from Ventura ... Read full story
 11/21/2007
LSU Equine Program Co-Hosts Large Animal Emergency Rescue Course  *
The LSU Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP) at the School of Veterinary Medicine recently co-hosted a four-day technical large animal emergency rescue and large animal hazardous material training course at the LSU-Fire & Emergency Training Institute (FETI) in Baton Rouge, La., October 11-14. Sponsored by the Louisiana State Animal Response Team ... Read full story
 11/10/2007
Wildfire Smoke and Horses: Recovering from Exposure   *
The severe fires in southern California have exposed humans and animals to unhealthy air containing wildfire smoke and particulates. These particulates can build up in the respiratory system, causing a number of health problems including burning eyes, runny noses, and illnesses such as bronchitis. They can also aggravate heart and lung diseases such ... Read full story
 11/8/2007
Wildfires: Dealing With Smoke Inhalation  *
The Horse has had many questions asked about the potential of respiratory problems because of the smoke and ash associated with the wildfires in California. We turned to Phoebie Smith, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, who lived and worked in California for years before recently moving to become assistant professor in Clinical Equine Internal Medicine at The Ohio ... Read full story
 10/31/2007
SmartPak Makes Donation to USEF Disaster Fund  *
SmartPak has made a $5,000 donation to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) disaster fund. With this donation, SmartPak added wildfire relief to its list of charitable donations. Other causes supported by the company have included Hurricane Katrina relief, tsunami relief, and animal rescue and rehabilitation. Through customers who purchase ... Read full story
 10/30/2007
I Thought I Understood What A Firestorm Was ...  *
Rebecca Sparenberg, assistant editor for Riding Magazine, tells firsthand of saving horses from the California wildfires, as well as sharing stories of the horse community, which banded together in a time of crisis. The Story Unfolds... Post 1: Sunday, Oct. 21 Post 2: Monday, Oct. 23 Post 3: Tuesday, Oct. 24 Post ... Read full story
 10/28/2007
Bright Spot: Better Evacuation Saved Lives  *
The devastation in terms of property damage is staggering--over a billion dollars and counting--but there is one statistic that is markedly better than the last time California was up against numerous wildfires. The San Diego County medical examiner lists six deaths connected to the blazes: one person killed directly by the fires, and five others who ... Read full story
 10/25/2007
California Fires Still Threaten; Horses Seem To Have Fared Well  *
The good news coming out of Southern California is that horse owners learned early evacuation lessons well from the fires four years ago, with only minor equine injuries being reported. Mark Martinelli, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, of California Equine Orthopedics, continues to give The Horse an eyewitness view of the situation in San Diego County. He ... Read full story
 10/24/2007
California Wildfires: Winds Expected to Ease  *
On the fourth day of a vicious firestorm, exhausted firefighters and weary residents looked forward Wednesday to a break--an expected slackening of the fierce winds that have fanned the state's explosive wildland blazes. Forecasters said the Santa Ana wind whipping across Southern California will begin to weaken late Wednesday afternoon, followed ... Read full story
 10/24/2007
Some Southern California Horse Owners Returning Home   *
Southern California horse and farm owners were beginning to gather information on their animals and property Oct. 24 in the wake of the wildfires that have hit the area. Fires continue to rage in San Diego County, but some evacuated people were being allowed back into their homes. Leigh Ann Howard, farm manager of Jack Liebau and Tom Capehart's Valley ... Read full story
 10/24/2007
Surrounded by Fire, California Thoroughbred Farm Unscathed  *
Golden Eagle Farm remains unscathed despite having been surrounded by wildfires that forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Southern California residents. On Monday, Oct. 22, it was business as usual on the farm owned by the Mabee family in Ramona, near San Diego. "We are 100% up and operating," Larry Mabee said. "The buildings, the horses, ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
California Wildfires: Seven Counties Declared Federal Emergency Areas   *
Thousands more California residents were ordered to evacuate their homes Tuesday, bringing the number of people chased away by the wind-whipped flames that have engulfed Southern California to at least 300,000. President Bush declared a federal emergency for seven counties, a move that will speed disaster-relief efforts. He also sent federal disaster ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
HSUS Team Arrives in California  *
Flying into California's fire-ravaged San Diego area was shocking to Allen Schwartz, a consultant with disaster services and an equine specialist with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). He said the scene reminded him of Hurricane Katrina's ravaging of the Gulf Coast region in its widespread impact on the landscape. "It's like Katrina with ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
California Horse Owners, Vets Wait to Access Burned Areas   *
It's a waiting game now for horse owners and veterinarians in the areas of Southern California affected by wildfires--waiting to see if the fires still roaring through the area will miss the designated evacuation points that each hold hundreds of horses, and waiting until officials allow them to access areas the fire has swept through in order to treat ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
Farms and Del Mar Offering Shelter from California Wildfires  *
Wildfires continued Oct. 23 to threaten homes and horse farms in Southern California, particularly in San Diego County. Scoop Vessels' Vessels Stallion Farm is among the facilities that have taken in evacuated people and horses, even while a new fire has broken out just east of the farm near Bonsall, Calif. Del Mar racetrack has taken in evacuees ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
California Horse Owners Evacuating in Face of Fire   *
Strong Santa Ana winds and a landscape already parched by drought have combined to help nearly a dozen fires spread across Southern California since the weekend. Many horse owners have evacuated, applying the lessons learned after a string of similar fires ravaged the area in 2003 and left dozens of horses dead and hundreds abandoned. According to ... Read full story
 10/22/2007
Louisiana Equine Disaster Preparedness   *
The Equine Branch of Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) has spent the past two years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita working on local, regional, and state emergency preparedness and response. LSART is the operational arm of ESF-11 (emergency support function 11--all official emergency response having to do with animals in the state of ... Read full story
 9/7/2007
Emergency Planning Workbook Added to TheHorse.com PDF Library  *
A free PDF download intended to guide horse owners through the process of planning for emergencies is available in the TheHorse.com's PDF library or can be accessed directly at www.TheHorse.com/pdf/emergency/emergency.pdf. The download is brought to you by TheHorse.com and EquineU.com as a part of National Preparedness Month, a nationwide coordinated ... Read full story
 8/29/2007
USEF Initiates Equine Disaster Relief Fund   *
Back-to-back hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 catapulted equine enthusiasts from around the country into a cooperative effort to assist horses and their owners. The biggest challenge was not manpower, since there were hundreds of potential volunteers, but funding to obtain and transport much-needed feed and supplies to the equine victims of the ... Read full story
 8/16/2007
Kentucky Rescue Course Has Audit Positions Open  *
Two three-day courses designed to instruct first responders, veterinarians, and horse owners on the art of hands-on rescue and transport of a recumbent horse, containment of large animals, mud and water rescues, and night search and rescue will be held Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 24-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park. There are some audit openings left at a cost ... Read full story
 8/12/2007
Wildfires, Drought, Lightning, and Horses   *
Wildfires in the United States in the first six months of 2007 have been significant, with hundreds of thousands of acres affected in Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Minnesota, and even Catalina Island, California. The National Interagency Wildfire Center has predicted the hot zones of wildfire risk through August. While wildfires are common natural ... Read full story
 7/27/2007
Preparing a Veterinary Practice for a Hurricane   *
Careful planning can help a veterinary practice, its patients, and the area equestrian community to ride through and recover from a hurricane. Dana N. Zimmel, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ABVP, clinical assistant professor in the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, described steps for veterinarians in hurricane-prone areas to take long ... Read full story
 7/14/2007
Western Wildfires: Few Horse Evacuations Thus Far  *
Although wildfires have recently burned thousands of acres in eight western states, officials in the affected regions report few fire-connected horse evacuations. They credit preparedness and a measure of good luck with preventing the need for equine emergency relocations. "We just got lucky," said Louise Kursave of the Black Hills Horse Sanctuary ... Read full story
 7/13/2007
Flooded Plains States: Drying Out, Bracing for Mosquito-Borne Equine Diseases   *
The waters might be receding, but horse owners in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and other areas affected by recent flooding shouldn't drop their guard against flood-related problems just yet. Veterinary authorities say owners in the soggy states should prepare for a potential surge in cases of mosquito-borne equine diseases, such as Eastern and Western ... Read full story
 7/12/2007
Uplifting Applications for UC Davis Large Animal Lift   *
John Madigan, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of medicine and epidemiology and section chief of equine medicine at the University of California, Davis, developed the UC Davis Large Animal Lift (LAL) with colleagues over the last several years. He reported on the lift's applications and success stories in its first months of use at the 2006 AAEP Convention, ... Read full story
 7/11/2007
Drought: Managing Horses in a Long Dry Spell  *
Drought conditions, exacerbated by the long-term effects of last year's dry season on hay production, are making life tough for horse owners in several areas of the country. According to a May 29 report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, large areas of California, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida are in D3 (severe) drought condition. Most of the land in ... Read full story
 6/2/2007
Rough Wildfire Season Predicted in Western States  *
Forecasters and fire officials are predicting an increased wildfire risk for the western part of the United States due to abundant plant growth expected to dry out by mid-May. The Humane Society of the United States recently urged residents to prepare for the possibility of evacuation, and to make plans for farm animals and pets. "Be prepared to ... Read full story
 5/7/2007
New Madrid Fault: Earthquakes in Kentucky  *
Just when we think life is under control, Mother Nature surprises us with something new or unusual. Emerging issues such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in horses, ivermectin-resistant parasites, and the ever-present threat of foreign animal disease pathogens entering the United States via insects or migrating birds pose ... Read full story
 4/22/2007
Disaster Preparedness for Horse Owners  *
Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere and can take many different forms, from barn fires to earthquakes, from a propane line explosion to flooding from a violent storm. Any of these might necessitate evacuation. If you have horses or other large animals, it is important to have a plan to move your animals to a safe area. A plan is even more critical ... Read full story
 1/24/2007
Chaplaincy Launches Disaster-Aid Response Program  *
The Racetrack Chaplaincy of America has launched "White Horse Riders," a group of specially trained RTCA chaplains who will deploy to assist racing-related victims during disasters in areas where racing workers and racetracks are adversely affected. The program was unveiled Dec. 14 at Fair Grounds in Louisiana, a state hit by two hurricanes in 2005. "From ... Read full story
 12/16/2006
Rescue Official Advises Owners: Prepare for Disaster  *
In the wake of recent California wildfires, an animal rescue official reminds horse owners that planning is critical to helping their horses through natural disasters. "Whether it's a threat of wildfires, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes, people in disaster-prone areas tend to become desensitized about the prospect of having to evacuate themselves and ... Read full story
 11/28/2006
Lessons Learned Hard  *
We have just passed the five-year anniversary of the most horrific terrorist attack on the United States in the country's history. It was on Sept. 11, 2001, that two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, another struck the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed into the ground in Pennsylvania. The near-hysteria that gripped parts ... Read full story
 11/1/2006
California Wildfires Force Horse Evacuation   *
Six horses were evacuated Thursday (Oct. 26) to avoid the flames of a wildfire that engulfed thousands of acres in several Riverside County, Calif., communities. The evacuated horses were pleasure horses stabled on residential properties in the area, according to Peter Lent, emergency services supervisor for the Riverside County Office of Emergency ... Read full story
 10/27/2006
PETS Act Gets Presidential Approval  *
President George W. Bush--who said during Hurricane Katrina that if he had to evacuate the one thing he would take would be his dog Barney--signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act Oct. 6 to help ensure that America's pets and service animals aren't left behind in the next disaster. The bill--which was introduced in the ... Read full story
 10/21/2006
Kentucky Governor Urges Horse Owners to Prepare for Emergencies  *
In a joint statement issued today (Sept. 25), Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and the directors of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security and the Kentucky Horse Park stated, "Kentucky and horses are innately, inseparably connected to one another. Horses are an integral part of our state's national identity, our history and future. They embody the ... Read full story
 9/25/2006
Horse Owners Encouraged to Have Evacuation Plan  *
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) is actively encouraging horse owners to have a disaster plan for the animals in their care. Lessons learned from prior hurricane experience have led the group to the development of comprehensive response plans for the state's agricultural industries. "These plans work best, when owners of animals are ... Read full story
 9/7/2006
Ernesto Trudges Up the East Coast   *
Ernesto struck land in North Carolina just after 11 p.m. yesterday (Aug. 31), reports the National Weather Service. Packing 70 mph winds, it was just short of being classified as a hurricane. The storm is now moving inland along North Carolina's northern coast into Virginia and Maryland, where significant rainfall in amounts up to 10 inches is expected ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
Preparing for Disaster  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) reminds horse owners and veterinarians that when an emergency or natural disaster strikes, it is in the best interest of the horse for everyone to be prepared. With this in mind, the AAEP updated its online equine emergency and disaster preparedness resources in light of the Atlantic hurricane ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
Ernesto Gaining Strength, Carolinas Under Hurricane Watch  *
The National Weather Service released a statement at 11 a.m. today (Aug. 31), warning that Ernesto is gaining strength over open water. Ernesto passed over the Florida peninsula as a comparatively docile tropical storm, but it has since shifted into open water northeast of the Florida coast. The storm is currently moving north-northeast at 17 mph, ... Read full story
 8/31/2006
Ernesto Nearing Hurricane Strength  *
As of 2 p.m. today (Aug. 31), the National Weather Service is reporting sustained winds of 70 mph associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto as it nears the Carolina coast. The minimum requirement for sustained wind speed for hurricane classification is 74 mph, meaning that Ernesto could potentially be considered a hurricane when it reaches shore later ... Read full story
 8/31/2006
Drought Grips Areas of the United States  *
Drought and excessive heat could strain the nation's agricultural industry. From Florida to California farmers and ranchers have already felt the effects in decreased hay production and waning grazing pastures. "A big concern right now is hay," said Sam Holland, DVM, South Dakota state veterinarian. With pastures starting to dry up, ranchers and farmers ... Read full story
 8/22/2006
Congress Passes Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act   *
The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a Senate substitute to H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, just before adjourning for the August recess. H.R. 3858, as originally introduced in the House, was approved by that chamber in May by an overwhelming vote of 349 to 24. The PETS Act, introduced in the House by U.S. ... Read full story
 8/4/2006
Equine Evacuation Guidelines Available on AAEP Web Site  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) reminds horse owners and veterinarians that when an emergency or natural disaster strikes, it is in the best interest of the horse for everyone to be prepared. With this in mind, the AAEP has updated its online equine emergency and disaster preparedness resources in time for the start of the Atlantic ... Read full story
 7/5/2006
Noah's Wish Offers Disaster Preparedness Guidelines for Horse Owners  *
As hurricane season approaches, Noah's Wish, an organization that exclusively rescues and shelters animals in disasters, is urging horse owners to take steps before a catastrophic situation to reduce the chances of loss, injury, or death to their animals. Because it is more difficult to move a horse than a small pet to safety, any disaster plan must ... Read full story
 6/16/2006
Pet Evacuation Brochure Available From Homeland Security, Humane Groups  *
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign has teamed up with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to educate pet owners about the simple steps they can take to prepare their ... Read full story
 6/15/2006
Family Disaster Plan Should Include Pets  *
Storms, floods, fires, disease outbreaks and terrorist attacks are frightening realities that people all over the world face today, and when disaster strikes, people are often unprepared to care for themselves, let alone their animals. Having an emergency disaster plan can benefit everyone in the family, including the family pets. Allison Fedash, ... Read full story
 6/14/2006
Hurricane Season Begins: Remember Pets in Preparation  *
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday (May 31) a joint effort with the American Kennel Club, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Humane Society of the United States to encourage pet owners to prepare for emergencies. The Department's Ready Campaign and ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
Weather Extremes  *
A record hurricane season and drought conditions throughout the United States last year hammered home the message that horse owners need to be prepared for the effects of extreme weather conditions. The immediate effects of these conditions are usually visible in the form of increased feed prices, but there are many other underlying effects that are ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
House Passes Pet Evacuation Act  *
On May 22 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, H.R. 3858, which requires state and local emergency management agencies to make plans that take into account the needs of individuals with pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. The legislation passed by a ... Read full story
 5/25/2006
NOAA: Season Could Present Four to Six Major Hurricanes  *
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today (May 22) announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that a very active hurricane season is looming, and it encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods. May 21-27 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During ... Read full story
 5/22/2006
May 21-27 is Hurricane Awareness Week  *
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. This year Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 21-27. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's National ... Read full story
 5/15/2006
Pensacola Man Charged in Horse Shooting Case  *
The Escambia County Sheriff's Department arrested Craig M. Smith, 24, of Pensacola, Fla., in connection with the April 17 shootings in Beulah, Fla., which left Desmond Davis' five dogs dead, nine horses either dead or in need of being euthanatized, and one horse injured. (To view the original article, see www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6847.) According ... Read full story
 5/5/2006
Ham Radio Communication and Horses  *
To successfully manage and recover from terrorist attacks, medical emergencies, accidents, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, floods, blizzards, etc., reliable communications are absolutely necessary. A relatively simple way to vastly increase your communication potential during emergency circumstances--as well as during normal day-to-day horse ... Read full story
 5/4/2006
Bloodhorse.com "Morning Line" Takes You Behind the Scenes at the Kentucky Derby  *
Beginning Monday, May 1, and running daily through Derby Day, Saturday, May 6, bloodhorse.com introduces Morning Line, a new feature designed to bring the horses, people, and places of Thoroughbred racing closer to racing enthusiasts. bloodhorse.com is launching the new feature with a behind-the-scenes journal of Derby Week written by Evan Hammonds, ... Read full story
 4/28/2006
10 Horses, Five Dogs Shot Near Pensacola  *
Editor's Note: To see the update on this case go to www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6919 An April 17 shooting on a Florida farm left seven horses dead and three others fighting to survive.Desmond Davis of Beulah, Fla., returned to his home that evening to find 10 of his horses and five of his dogs shot. According to a police report, Davis returned ... Read full story
 4/25/2006
AAEP Disaster Update  *
In the wake of catastrophic world events, the AAEP created the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Task Force in 2002. The World Trade Center bombings, the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom, and Hurricane Lili pounding the Gulf Coast served as a collective wake-up call to the equine veterinary community. The AAEP realized that a safety ... Read full story
 4/1/2006
Ways to Help Horses and Horse Owners Affected by Katrina and Rita  *
(Note: This was first published online in September 2005 and the article date is continually updated) Rescue teams and officials have said that the best way to help Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims is by making financial contributions to various organizations that are earmarking funds for horses and horse owners. Please see the list below. If you ... Read full story
 3/8/2006
Equine Groups Band Together to Provide Feed for Hurricane-Affected Areas  *
(Edited press release) Five equine organizations joined together this week to provide 6,500 bales of hay to nearly 800 horses in Vermilion Parish, La., that were affected by Hurricane Rita. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association ... Read full story
 2/17/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: Community Disaster Planning  *
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, wildfires, tornadoes, and outbreaks of diseases at equine facilities raised awareness of disaster planning this year in the horse industry. That was reflected by the large crowd at the Community Disaster Planning table topic session at the American Association of Equine Practitioners' Convention, held Dec. 3-7 in Seattle, ... Read full story
 1/26/2006
Appaloosa Horses Lost in Two Barn Fires  *
The Appaloosa Horse Club extends its sincere regrets to two families who recently lost horses in barn fires. On Jan. 9 at 3 a.m., former director and president, Larry Edwards of Dayton, Ohio, awoke to the smell of smoke and saw one of his barns was on fire. Five fire departments responded to the call, but the fire claimed the lives of 10 boarded horses. ... Read full story
 1/24/2006
Fires Force Horse Evacuations   *
Smoke rising from wildfires in Los Angeles County, Calif., provided an uneasy backdrop for rescue teams tending to animal evacuees housed at Pierce College, located just eight miles from the fires. The college housed up to 225 horses along with a few mules and other livestock during September and early October. Wildfires fueled by dry conditions ... Read full story
 12/22/2005
Publisher Tries to Keep Equine Magazine Going After Hurricanes  *
For more than eight weeks, Bonnie Clark, president of the Louisiana Equine Council (LEC) and publisher of Horseman's Guide of the South Central Region, set her life aside, unpaid, to head up an operation at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. There, she helped reunite 357 rescued horses and mules with their owners following Hurricane Katrina. ... Read full story
 11/11/2005
Sixteen Horses Die in Colorado Storm   *
After a powerful thunderstorm struck Calhan, Colo., in mid-October, a neighbor of rancher William DeWitt found 16 of DeWitt's horses dead in their pasture while checking his own adjacent pasture. Police and a veterinarian have determined that severe lightning recorded in the area caused the horses’ deaths. El Paso County authorities arrived at DeWitt's ... Read full story
 11/11/2005
Penn's Vet School Receives $10-Million Gift  *
University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann, PhD, and Alan Kelly, PhD, dean of the university's School of Veterinary Medicine, have announced a $10-million gift from Vernon and Shirley Hill to the School of Veterinary Medicine. The gift will be used towards the completion of a new teaching and research center, currently under construction, to ... Read full story
 11/11/2005
Ellis Park Racetrack Clean-Up Focuses on Clubhouse
Clean-up efforts were underway at Ellis Park yesterday (Nov. 9) to reopen the storm-battered track for simulcasting operations tentatively on Nov. 16. Structural engineers from Louisville construction firm Luckett & Farley certified the track's clubhouse, main grandstand, the Sky Theatre and the lower level of the jockeys' quarters as structurally ... Read full story
 11/10/2005
Picking Up the Pieces at Ellis  *
No call at 2 a.m. is good. Rodney Leibring, DVM, received one of those calls on Nov. 6. Leibring, a Thoroughbred racetrack practitioner, was asked by the male caller if he was at Ellis Park yet. Leibring, confused because he wasn't expected there until after 8 a.m., replied, "No why?" The man told Leibring that he needed to get there right away. A ... Read full story
 11/10/2005
Reflecting on Katrina: A New Orleans Vet's Perspective
"It's just so amazing to me that in one day, it can all be lost and suddenly you live in a dangerous place," said Allison Barca, DVM, who has served many of the equines in and around New Orleans for years. Barca's home is just north of New Orleans in Harahan, La., and most of her clients were in some way affected by the hurricanes. Since the storm, ... Read full story
 11/9/2005
Ellis Park Tornado Damage Assessed; Trainers Ponder Options
Insurance adjusters were at Ellis Park Nov. 7 assessing the damage wrought by a tornado that struck the western Kentucky racetrack early in the morning the previous day. Three horses were killed and several others were injured, according to reports from track owner Churchill Downs Inc. and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association ... Read full story
 11/8/2005
Tornado Kills Three Horses in Northwestern Kentucky  *
According to an Associated Press article on bloodhorse.com, a tornado that tore through Ellis Park racetrack in Henderson, Ky., early yesterday morning (Nov. 6) killed three horses and injured several other horses and track workers. Large sections of the grandstand were also destroyed. "The twister tore across southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky ... Read full story
 11/7/2005
Hurricane Wilma: First Assessments  *
"The roads into the Keys are basically tide-dependent at this point," described John Haven, Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS) branch director, from the State Agricultural Response Team (SART) incident command post that is currently set up in Kissimmee, Fla. to offer aid after Hurricane Wilma. "When the tides are down, you can drive…when ... Read full story
 10/25/2005
Katrina Pounds the Southeast   *
Hurricane Katrina made its second landfall on Aug. 29 as a Category 4 storm, striking the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines just days after damaging parts of south Florida. See www.TheHorse.com for updates on how Katrina affected horses. ... Read full story
 10/21/2005
Event Celebrates Equine Volunteers at Lamar-Dixon  *
The scene at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center during the past five weeks has been all business. Veterinarians, veterinary students, and volunteers have dutifully cared for the facility's residents--Katrina's equine refugees that were rescued from their flooded or storm-torn homes. But for a few hours last night (Oct. 9), the pace slowed and a pair of hulking ... Read full story
 10/10/2005
Only Four Rescued Horses Are Unidentified at Lamar-Dixon; Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony to be Held Oct. 9  *
Nearly 400 horses and mules have been processed at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La., since post-hurricane rescues began, and according to Bonnie Clark, president of the Louisiana Equine Council, all but four have unique identification (breed association tattoos or microchips). Clark has been heading up equine operations at the staging ... Read full story
 10/5/2005
Vet on Hurricanes: The Ripples are Impressive  *
Sonny Corley, DVM, of Acadiana Equine Clinic in Lafayette, La., climbed a fence to leave another note Tuesday night on the door of the clinic belonging to Johnny Reina, DVM, in Lake Charles, La. He had visited the hurricane-damaged site three days in a row and hadn't caught up with Reina yet. Interrupted phone services are just one symptom of the general ... Read full story
 9/29/2005
Responding to Calls after Rita  *
Days after Rita, equine rescue requests are still coming in to the Louisiana State University Horse Hurricane Hotline, although not with the urgency or number of calls that poured in after Hurricane Katrina hit several weeks ago. "Today we're sending a team over to Sulphur, La., which is on the western side of Lake Charles," said Rustin Moore, DVM, ... Read full story
 9/29/2005
Disaster Response: Top 10 Ways to Make a Real Impact
This article is dedicated to the thousands of hard-working animal response organizations and their volunteers that slept on the concrete, ate MREs, endured the horror of dragging drowned or killed animal carcasses out of buildings, trees, and mud after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and occasionally proclaimed joyfully, “This one’s ALIVE!” The horse ... Read full story
 9/28/2005
Louis Pomes: Standing Strong in St. Bernard  *
"When the water started coming in, I know it was the one we'd been waiting for," recalled Louis Pomes quietly, leaning against his truck and surveying his battered lifelong hometown of St. Bernard Parish, La. He had been expecting a colossal storm like Hurricane Katrina for most of his adult life, but the storm was even more devastating than anyone ... Read full story
 9/28/2005
Updated Supplies Needed List for Rita-Affected Horses and Other Animals  *
Veterinary and medical supplies are needed immediately in Southwest Louisiana for Hurricane Rita victims. Below is the current list; it will be updated as information becomes available. Please contact those listed if you are able to donate any of these supplies. Medical Supplies Anything to treat cuts (i.e., Silvadine ointment or triple antibiotic ... Read full story
 9/27/2005
Recovering from Rita's Wrath  *
Initial assessments of storm-torn areas in southwestern Louisiana showed that many horse owners were able to get out of Hurricane Rita's way before it battered the coast as a Category 4 storm on Saturday, Sept. 24. Veterinarians said that while many cattle perished as a result of Rita, only a handful of horses have been found dead, mainly due to the ... Read full story
 9/27/2005
Idaho County Added to Kentucky VS Embargo  *
The first case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) was confirmed Sept 26 in Bear Lake County, Idaho. That county, along with Alamosa County, Colo., and Platte County, Wyo., were added to the list of states from which the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has restricted animal movement.Additionally, Mesa and Ouray counties in Colo., and Davis and San Juan ... Read full story
 9/27/2005
AHJF Helps Katrina Victims  *
A press release from the board of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) expressed their sadness over the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. As the need for emergency recovery assistance declines, the board of the AHJF stated they are preparing for financial requests from those in the hunter and jumper sport. "The recovery from this disaster ... Read full story
 9/26/2005
Texas Addresses Hurricane Rita's Animal Issues  *
Before Hurricane Rita passed through Texas, agricultural-related agencies and associations teamed up in support of the Division of Emergency Management to address animal and livestock rescue, and recovery and disposal of carcasses. "In preparation for Hurricane Rita, hundreds of sites, such as livestock markets, arenas, fairgrounds, kennels, individuals, ... Read full story
 9/26/2005
Equine Rescue and Relief in Louisiana  *
The following is a report from the Larmar Dixon Expo Center in Louisiana. The horse rescue and relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina are still ongoing and have been a resounding success. A total of 381 animals (approximately 15 goats, two pot bellied pigs, and the balance of horses/mules) have been processed by the Horse Unit staged at Lamar ... Read full story
 9/25/2005
Texas Horses Evacuate  *
As Hurricane Rita begins to make landfall, evacuees are stuck in gridlock traffic. In some areas traveling a single mile can take up to four hours. And these folks are seeking shelter for their animals. "The traffic is maddening," said Jean Cook with the Texas Racing Commission. According to her, volunteers workers from a shelter who were trying ... Read full story
 9/24/2005
Texas Prepares for Rita  *
With the Hurricane Rita preparing to make landfall, many pet owners are scrambling to find refuge for their animals. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) in response has placed a list of holding areas for those evacuating the Hurricane's path. "We started out with a listing of 180 sites, and now I think it is well over 200 that will accept ... Read full story
 9/24/2005
USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund Will Assist Rita Victims  *
All donations made to the USEF Equine Relief Fund from Sept. 23, 2005, forward will be used to assist victims of any 2005 hurricane, including Katrina, Rita, or any others that could occur. The Fund will assist those agencies working directly with the equine victims and refugees from hurricanes. Every dollar of the money donated to the fund will be ... Read full story
 9/24/2005
HSUS Report, Sept. 22  *
As the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Hurricane Katrina response headed into its 20th day, their Disaster Animal Response Teams continued to rescue stranded pets while bracing for the potential arrival of Hurricane Rita, noted a press release from HSUS. Here's the latest update on what's happening in Louisiana and Mississippi from the HSUS. Three ... Read full story
 9/22/2005
ETI To Match Funds For Equine Hurricane Victims  *
At the September meeting, the Equestrian Trails Inc. (ETI) board of directors voted to make a contribution to Hurricane Katrina's equine victims hoping to raise $25,000. The board voted unanimously to contribute up to $5,000 in matching funds for any contribution by individual ETI members, friends, Corrals (regions), or feed/tack stores. The group ... Read full story
 9/21/2005
Making Horses Eligible for Federal Emergency Funds  *
Language making horses eligible for federal disaster assistance is now included in the USDA FY 2006 appropriations bill. The provision was added as an amendment offered by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). It was passed by voice vote. Its effective date would be July 28 in order to cover losses suffered because of Hurricane Katrina. The full 2006 USDA ... Read full story
 9/21/2005
Disaster Training for Veterinarians Pays Off  *
So how do veterinarians who teach school, give dogs rabies shots, and work on lame horses get ready for something like Hurricane Katrina? These folks don’t work in HAZMAT suits in their normal jobs. Most have never been in situations where there are contaminants that could affect their lives. As in all other aspects of their lives, veterinarians who ... Read full story
 9/20/2005
Animal Rescue--Two Weeks in Mississippi   *
Tomas Gimenez, Dr.Med.Vet, is a professor of animal and veterinary sciences at Clemson University, an instructor in emergency and disaster planning and rescue (along with his wife, Rebecca, PhD, a Major in the US Army Reserves mobilized to Active Duty this year), and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Veterinary Medical ... Read full story
 9/20/2005
TheHorse.com Database Aids In Cat Rescue   *
Thanks to the rescue efforts of Shawn Alladio, owner of K38 Rescue, and the list of animals stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina featured on TheHorse.com (www.TheHorse.com/Rescue/RescueLocationList.aspx), two cats were saved last Tuesday (Sept. 13) and reunited with their owner. Cherie Holton was forced to evacuate her home in New Orleans when ... Read full story
 9/20/2005
Louisiana Convoy Put on Hold  *
With Hurricane Rita heading for the Gulf Coast, a convoy of feed, hay, and medical supplies from Shreveport, La., destined for Tangipahoa Parish and Plaquemine Parish, has been put on hold until further notice. The convoy of 15-20 trucks and trailers, organized by Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue (HHERO), was scheduled to leave Saturday, Sept. 24, but will ... Read full story
 9/20/2005
Mississippi Horse Slaughter Rumors Untrue  *
Officials working with the official horse rescue organizations in Mississippi say that rumors that 5,000 horses have been abandoned and/or shipped to slaughter is untrue. According to official reports, there are very few horses in the hands of rescue organizations or the state or federal government; most are on farms. Feed, water, and supplies are ... Read full story
 9/16/2005
Mississippi Animal Relief Fund  *
Anyone wishing to help horses, horse owners, veterinarians, or small animals in Mississippi should contact the Mississippi Animal Relief Fund toll-free at 888/722-3106. Mississippi State Veterinarian Dr. Jim Watson said today (Sept. 16) that while there still is a need for feed, baled hay, general supplies, and veterinary supplies in his state, he ... Read full story
 9/16/2005
Louisiana State University Equine Rescue Operations  *
Whereas the needs of horses and local equine facilities have changed somewhat in the two weeks following Hurricane Katrina, the rescue efforts of the Louisiana State University (LSU) team continue on a daily basis. Horses continue to be brought in, although on a much smaller scale. Horses and mules are now being claimed by their owners, and feed and ... Read full story
 9/14/2005
New Orleans Carriage Horse Update  *
Seventeen carriage horses and two carriage mules from New Orleans' Charbonnet Mid-City Carriage Company are living at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzalez, La. The rest of the company's animals have been moved from Louisiana to a farm in Nashville, Tenn., said Darnell Stewart, one of the men who stayed behind with the animals after Hurricane Katrina ... Read full story
 9/13/2005
Deworming Strategies and Hurricane Recovery  *
The level of equine parasite transmission should be diminished on pastures that were so flooded they had to be evacuated, said Craig Reinemeyer, DVM, PhD, president of East Tennessee Clinical Research in Knoxville, Tenn. "Many larvae would get washed away, and others would go down into the soil," he said. "In either case, climatic conditions right ... Read full story
 9/13/2005
LSU Reports Good News for Horses  *
"We have lots of horses that are in fresh, clean stalls," reported Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, direcotr of the Equine Health Studies Program at the Louisiana State Univerity College of Veterinary Medicine the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 13. "We have had about 350 horses rescued, but thankfully we have release 80 or more to their owners. Our rescued ... Read full story
 9/13/2005
North Carolina Horse Refugee Plan  *
This plan was organized by the State Animal Response Team, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. If any horses are requested from states affected by Hurricane Katrina are to be sent to North Carolina, it is hoped that no sick or injured horses are asked to make the long trip. Healthy ... Read full story
 9/12/2005
Evangeline Downs Helps Hurricane Victims  *
The Hurricane Katrina relief benefit initiated by Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas, La., has been added to a growing list of U.S. companies who are successfully raising large sums of money and providing relief for hurricane survivors. The racing operation donated 100% of its revenues from its Sept. 4 racing program to the Acadiana ... Read full story
 9/12/2005
Notes from the Field, VMAT-2, Sept. 10, evening  *
Following is a report from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Veterinary Medical Assistance Team 2 (VMAT-2) now working in Gulfport, Miss. Team members, Army personnel, and Humane Society volunteers have spent the last couple of days building, equipping, and setting up the field veterinary hospital. Today is the first day of accepting ... Read full story
 9/10/2005
Louisiana Animal Update, Sept. 10  *
Companion animal rescue teams composed of the Humane Society of the United States and Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals personnel are dispatched daily to New Orleans from the Lamar Dixon Expo Center to rescue animals that have been abandoned or are stranded in houses. Rescue teams returned with 350 animals yesterday (Sept. ... Read full story
 9/10/2005
Mississippi Animal Update, Sept. 10  *
Companion animal rescue, sheltering, and care operations are being conducted from four staging areas in Mississippi. The staging areas are located at the Mississippi State Fairground in Jackson, the Forest County Multipurpose Complex in Hattiesburg, the Jackson County Animal Shelter in Gautier, and the Human Society of Southern Mississippi complex ... Read full story
 9/10/2005
VCA Offers Free Shelter  *
The Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) has agreed to board companion animals needing shelter due to Hurricane Katrina at no cost. VCA operates over 370 animal hospitals in 38 States across the nation. These hospitals are staffed by over 1,300 fully qualified veterinarians and provide a full range of general medical and surgical services as well as ... Read full story
 9/10/2005
Helping Louisiana Horse Victims of Hurricane Katrina   *
There has been a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and concern for the horse victims of Hurricane Katrina. In Louisian, veterinarians and staff of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, stepped up in the immediate aftermath of the storm to start assiting animals and their owners. Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, Director ... Read full story
 9/10/2005
Veterinary Team (VMAT-2) Update Sept. 9, Morning  *
Today the Veterinary Medical Assistance Team 2 (VMAT2) is building a field hospital in Gulfport, Miss., area about 40 minutes away from Keasler Air Base where it is staying. We've seen very few cases of acute trauma in the Mississippi area. Skin problems are the most common ailment. All surgeries are referred to local clinics to prevent VMAT from ... Read full story
 9/9/2005
A Day in the Life of a Hurricane Rescue Team From LSU  *
"There are hundreds of little interest stories that have or will come out of this thing" said Ky Mortensen, Director of Advancement for the Equine Program at Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Some will be remembered for a long time, written down, and shared nationwide. Others will only live in the memories of those immediately ... Read full story
 9/9/2005
The Jockey Club Foundation Donates $100,000 To Hurricane Relief  *
The Jockey Club Foundation, which assists needy individuals throughout the Thoroughbred racing industry, has made a $100,000 contribution to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts being spearheaded by two industry organizations. A check for $75,000 was sent to the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association's Hurricane Katrina Relief ... Read full story
 9/9/2005
USEF Operating New Equine Emergency Hotline for Mississippi  *
Equine Supply Depots in Mississippi Now Operational Mississippi horse owners affected by Hurricane Katrina now have a new lifeline to help through the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). As of today, USEF has a dedicated phone line to take emergency calls from Mississippians in need of emergency assistance for their horses. The USEF Mississippi ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
Veterinarians Allocate $500,000 For Hurricane Relief  *
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board announced Sept. 7 that it has allocated $500,000 in matching funds to solicit monetary donations for a fund established by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to go toward disaster relief efforts in the Gulf States ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Board members unanimously approved ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
AVMA Disaster Update # 13  *
The evening of Sept. 7, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) posted the following report. To donate to the AVMA's Foundation and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs), visit www.avmf.org. Contact Numbers for Louisiana Animal Rescue Needs For Hurricane Katrina information, questions, donations, etc., Contact: Katrina@ldaf.louisiana.gov. ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
St. Bernard Parish Horses Rescued  *
A report from Louisiana State University Veterinary School this morning stated that about 40 horses were rescued out of St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana yesterday, and about 10 the day before. They are sending five tucks with large trailers down there today for more horses. There was no injury or casualty report given. ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
Warning To Pet/Horse Owners In Stricken Areas  *
Allan Schwartz, vice president of Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) in Lisbon, Md., who is doing animal rescue in Mississippi, warns pet and horse owners in stricken areas to ask for identification before they allow their animals to be taken by anyone. He said stories are growing of people who turned their animals over to "rescue" workers and never ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
Louisiana Animal Evacuee Update  *
The Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) has posted information on its web site regarding animal evacuees. They noted that animals from the following veterinary clinics are being housed at the John M. Parker Coliseum on the LSU Campus: Belle Chasse Animal Hospital; Causeway Animal Hospital (some pets); Metairie Small ... Read full story
 9/8/2005
Assistant State Vet: Louisiana Horse Rescues Underway, Donations Needed  *
"Horses are being pulled out as we speak," said Martha Littlefield, assistant state veterinarian for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The Horse spoke with Littlefield yesterday (Sept. 6) about the state of Louisiana's equine rescue activities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Littlefield has been fielding hundreds--if not thousands--of ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Rescuing the Horses of St. Bernard Parish  *
Jay Addison, DVM, of New Orleans, La., hasn't been able to see if his home withstood Hurricane Katrina, and the house of one of his partners in veterinary practice, Ronald Giardina, DVM, was completely destroyed. Regardless of their situations, Addison, Giardina, and other area veterinarians, technicians, and volunteers are making their number one ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
TheHorse.com Creates Emergency Database to Report Animals Stranded By Hurricane Katrina  *
In response to a request from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs), www.TheHorse.com has created a database for citizens to report stranded animals in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. This list will be used by the VMATs to direct their searches for large and small animals for rescue. If you ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Veterinarians Rescue and Reunite Animals and Owners  *
For the past week, wall-to-wall television coverage of the Gulf Coast disaster has shown countless stories of people who have lost everything yet are willing to trade what little they may have left to save their pets. "Veterinarians know how unique the human-animal bond is, especially during a crisis," said Dr. Cindy Lovern, assistant director, scientific ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Saving the New Orleans Carriage Horses  *
"I wasn't leaving," said Lucien Mitchell, 40, who stayed behind in New Orleans for nearly a week caring for 22 carriage horses and mules after Hurricane Katrina ripped through the city, destroying structures and lives, and leaving water that overwhelmed levees and produced catastrophic flooding. "If you love animals like I love animals, you'd stick ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Katrina Refugee Animals Welcome in Kentucky; State's Livestock Will Be Protected  *
Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout, DVM, has established procedures for movement of equine and livestock into Kentucky from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that were evacuated, displaced, or abandoned as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The procedures will speed up the process of relocating rescued animals into the state while at the same ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Update From the Field, Mississippi, Sept. 7, afternoon  *
Allan Schwartz, vice president of Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) from Lisbon, Md., was reached by cell phone this afternoon (Sept. 7) in Mississippi. While service was spotty, he managed to give a brief account of what had been happening with his rescue team. “It’s devastation like I’ve never seen,” he said. “It’s beyond words. We are winding ... Read full story
 9/7/2005
Notes From the Field, Sept. 6 morning  *
Veterinary Medical Assistance Team 2 (VMAT 2) is currently commanded in the field by Karen Iovino, DVM, of Virginia. The Team Commander is Patrice Klein, VMD, in Maryland working issues from the rear. The team has been doing assessments for the last four days focusing in Hancock and Harrison Counties in Mississippi. We have completed a few missions ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
AVMA Vet Teams At Work  *
For the first time in their 11- year history, four complete Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) have been simultaneously deployed. Staged in neighboring communities since Aug. 30, all four teams have now moved in to Katrina-ravaged areas to provide assistance. Two teams, VMAT-1 and VMAT-5 of 25 members each, have arrived in Baton Rouge. They ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
Thoroughbred Industry Supports Hurricane Relief  *
Individuals in the Thoroughbred industry are teaming up with Starquine and Brisnet to host a Thoroughbred stallion season auction to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Live bidding will take place Sept. 26 thru Sept. 29th at www.Starquine.com. All proceeds go directly to help in the hurricane relief efforts. To donate a stallion season or ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
Keeneland To Accept Donations For Disaster Relief; Casners Commit $1 Million  *
Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) chairman and WinStar Farm co-owner Bill Casner and his wife, Susan, have made a commitment to match up to $1 million raised during the Keeneland September Thoroughbred Yearing Sale at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., which begins Monday Sept. 12. Keeneland, in partnership with the TOBA and Thoroughbred ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
Pfizer Commits $2 Million and Healthcare Products  *
The colleagues of Pfizer express our sympathy and support for the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and other states whose lives and communities have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Since the first hours of disaster, we have been in contact with local, state, and federal officials to assess how our company can best respond to the ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
Notes from the field – Sept. 5, morning  *
Editor's Note: The following is from veterinary emergency personnel assigned to duty in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. If veterinary personnel are deployed they should take their captive bolts; there is minimal euthanasia solution available for all the horrific injury and infectious cases that need to be put down. Emergency veterinary volunteers ... Read full story
 9/5/2005
Churchill Downs' Louisiana Safe List Names Grow  *
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has located approximately 40% of its Louisiana workforce displaced by Hurricane Katrina. As of Sept. 5, 203 employees had been located through the company’s toll-free CDI Louisiana Employee Hotline 877/244-5536 or through Fair Grounds’ Web site, www.fgno.com. Members of CDI’s corporate human resources staff are providing ... Read full story
 9/5/2005
Horses Saved; Rescuers Live the Highs and Lows  *
Eighty-nine equines rescued from areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina are alive and well and staying at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. They are being cared for by a dedicated team of Louisiana State University (LSU) veterinarians, veterinary students, technicians, and other volunteers. The center was quiet when The Horse finally got through ... Read full story
 9/5/2005
Hurricane Horses Being Reached  *
As southern Louisiana reaches the one week anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, rescue efforts continue on a large scale for horses affected by the storm and subsequent flooding. Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, the central staging area for horses recently retrieved from the New Orleans area currently houses 90 horses and mules yet to be claimed by their owners. ... Read full story
 9/5/2005
Animal Evacuation and Recovery Plan for New Orleans  *
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA), the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA), the Louisiana Animal Control Association (LACA), and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) are managing animal evacuations and recovery plans for New Orleans pets and displaced animals. Pets Traveling With Owners The ... Read full story
 9/4/2005
More Ways to Help  *
Louisiana SPCA The LA SPCA will coordinate all animal rescue from affected areas to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. This will be the primary staging area. Donations of food, kennels, etc are needed. Please donate through the LVMA (see below). Contact: Kathyrn Destriza 504\329-5209 or Lorretta Lambertson, 504\329-0701 Lamar-Dixon Expo ... Read full story
 9/4/2005
Word From the Field  *
The Humane Society of the United States Situation Report: Friday, Sept. 2, 2005Filed from reports by Laura Bevan, HSUS Southeast Regional Office Director and HSUS Animal Response Branch Director for Mississippi; and Lou Guyton, HSUS Southwest Regional Office Director and HSUS Animal Response Branch Director for Louisiana; compiled by Anne Culver, ... Read full story
 9/4/2005
$27.25 Million in Emergency Energy Assistance Released  *
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced $27.25 million in emergency energy assistance to assist states hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. This release of funds reflects initial requests from the affected states and their current ability to distribute the funds. Further releases are anticipated when additional ... Read full story
 9/3/2005
LSU Veterinary School Sets Up Horse Hurricane Helpline  *
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has set up a Horse Hurricane Helpline to help those horse owners with questions regarding rescue, shelter, and veterinary care. Please call 225/578-9501 for your horse-related questions. ... Read full story
 9/2/2005
AAEP Foundation Fund Established to Aid Hurricane Victims  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation (AAEPF) today announced the creation of an Equine Disaster Relief Fund to help with recovery and rebuilding efforts that are to follow from Hurricane Katrina and future disasters that may occur. These funds will only be used to benefit the welfare of horses affected by disasters. "The AAEP ... Read full story
 9/2/2005
AVMA Relief Update: Missions Beginning  *
Mission assignments were falling into place last night when the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sent its seventh disaster update in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As of 11:30 pm CDT yesterday (Sept. 1), here were the locations and assignments of the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) in Mississippi and Louisiana, which were ... Read full story
 9/2/2005
Reaching the Equine Victims of Katrina Slowly, but Surely  *
Rescuers have begun to successfully access areas with horses trapped in flooded stalls and paddocks and the horses are being shipped out for veterinary medical attention. This afternoon The Horse received an update on rescued horses from Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, director of the Equine Health Studies Program at Louisiana State University's ... Read full story
 9/2/2005
AVMA: Teams Ready to Assess Hurricane Damage  *
According to the latest Hurricane Katrina disaster update from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) at 9:00 pm CDT on Aug. 31, four Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) were deployed and awaiting mission assignments for various devastated areas. The VMAT teams were to begin with "overall assessments of veterinary facilities, animal ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Horse Rescue Groups Mobilizing Hurricane Relief Effort  *
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, horse rescue groups are mobilizing to provide assistance to horses and livestock impacted by the devastating storm and are seeking financial support for the effort. The National Horse Protection Coalition, along with Texas based Habitat for Horses and the Louisiana Equine Council have joined forces to assemble ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Texas Equine Rescue Group Helping Louisiana's Horses  *
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue is organizing a massive relief and rescue effort to help the equines of southern Louisiana after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina forced millions to evacuate. A large number of horses, mules, and donkeys are now in danger of starvation, injury, and death if relief efforts are not immediately taken. The ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Disaster Prep Reflections  *
I love my job working for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a field research analyst in zoonotic diseases. I recently attended—in my capacity as certified veterinary technician (CVT)—a three-day seminar at the Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, Vt., on the rescue of large animals in disaster situations. The seminar was presented by Drs. ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Fair Grounds Race Course Sustains Hurricane Damage  *
Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States with damaging winds, rains, and flood waters, caused damage to Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La. Fair Grounds and its affiliated off-track betting facilities and video poker operations are owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). "We have much work to ... Read full story
 8/31/2005
Safe Havens and Veterinary Services Needed for Hurricane Katrina's Equine Refugees  *
Place Your Facility on the USEF Hurricane Equine Relief List (Lexington, KY) – As Americans view the newscasts of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina it is clear that both humans and animals require immediate emergency relief from not only official agencies but from the generosity of individuals. If you have a facility or pasture which you ... Read full story
 8/31/2005
Katrina Strands Many; Rescuers Wait for Evaluation of Worst Hit Areas  *
Katrina's fury has been felt widespread in Louisiana and Mississippi, scattering storms and high winds across hundreds of square miles. Many horse owners are likely stranded in the storm's wake, says Bonnie Clark, publisher of the Horseman's Guide of the South Central Region, who is currently stuck at her farm north of Baton Rouge, La. She thinks Katrina's ... Read full story
 8/30/2005
Fair Grounds Racetrack Damage Unknown; Track Used as Staging Area  *
As Hurricane Katrina moved through New Orleans, La., Monday, the Fair Grounds racetrack sustained some structural damage and the track's parking lot was being used as a staging area from which rescue vehicles and personnel could work. Julie Koenig-Loignon, a spokeswoman for Churchill Downs Incorporated, said there were some security personnel at the ... Read full story
 8/30/2005
Damage on Louisiana Thoroughbred Farms Not as Bad as Expected  *
The damage of Hurricane Katrina on south Louisiana Thoroughbred farms wasn't as bad as originally feared, but it will take time to repair and replace fencing and barns, as well as remove debris and tree limbs. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be," said Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud near Folsom, La., located about 50 miles ... Read full story
 8/30/2005
Schwartz Joins Veterinary Medical Assistance Team  *
According to a July 20 article in the Mt. Airy Messenger, Allan Schwartz, vice president and co-founder of Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR), has been accepted as a member of a Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT). Veterinary Medical Assistant Teams are "established by the American Veterinary Medical Association and trained to respond to natural ... Read full story
 7/22/2005
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Hosts Large-Animal Rescue Training  *
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will once again offer an extensive three-day training course on August 8-10, 2005, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. This training is designed to educate first responders such as firefighters, police and other rescue personnel, veterinarians and individual horse owners. Drs. Rebecca and Tomas Gimenez will ... Read full story
 6/28/2005
Victoria's Horse Disease Plan Put To The Test  *
Victoria's emergency response plan to a horse disease outbreak was put through its paces June 7 when Racing Minister, John Pandazopoulos, launched Exercise Pegasus. Pandazopoulos said over the past three years the State Government had been working closely with Racing Victoria and Harness Racing Victoria to protect the industry from equine disease. "In ... Read full story
 6/8/2005
Horses and Fire  *
Fire can be both friend and foe in nature. While fire can do extensive damage to the environment, the damage is often short-lived and the long-term benefits outweigh short-term problems as new vegetation springs forth to populate the landscape. For animals, including horses, fire's short-term effects can be deadly. If they are caught in the middle ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
ASPCA to Host Large Animal Rescue Summit  *
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced today that the organization's New York State Disaster Response Services will host the first-ever Large Animal Rescue Summit at Cornell University on May 16, 2005 as part of its continued effort to support planning and preparedness for emergencies affecting animals. ASPCA ... Read full story
 5/6/2005
Large Animal Emergency Response Training at the Kentucky Horse Park  *
"Horses often find themselves in extremely dangerous situations, and we want to do everything in our power to save their lives," said John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. "That's why we're so pleased that Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is offering a Large Animal Emergency Response Seminar here at the park." The ... Read full story
 4/13/2005
Emergency Transportation  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Understanding Equine First Aid by Michael Ball, DVM. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Driving with a trailer full of horses is an ordinary, everyday task for most horse people. The task can become more difficult, stressful, and sometimes dangerous in an emergency situation. You should be prepared ... Read full story
 3/23/2005
Tsunami's Effects on Horses Unclear; Work Animals Likely Affected   *
No one has ventured to guess the extent of devastation to horses in tsunami-ravaged areas in Asia. The initial disaster and the resulting shortages of food and clean water could affect many work animals in regions of southern India areas and in areas where horses are integral to daily life. Internationally, animal welfare groups are analyzing the immediate ... Read full story
 1/10/2005
Be Prepared for the Worst   *
September 15th is a day I will never forget. The Dearborn County Sheriff's office asked if I would respond to a horse trailer accident involving 50 horses, and I was on my way. I was the only vet present to help fire and rescue personnel extract 20 horses from an overturned horse trailer. Once that was done, my tech and I began triage of 30 horses ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Hurricanes Smash the Southeast--Horses Relatively Unaffected   *
Hurrricane preparation, toleration, and clean-up--take four. Horse owners and veterinarians in Florida weathered Category 3 Hurricane Jeanne beginning late on Sept. 25, their fourth natural disaster in six weeks. Veterinarians and animal rescue officials, weary from the back-to-back hurricane visits (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) reported few ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Horses and Hurricane Charley   *
Despite widespread structural damage and economic devastation to areas of Florida, the horse population fared well in the path of Hurricane Charley. At least three horses were euthanized in Florida from injuries resulting from flying debris during Charley's strike, said Alan Schwartz of Days End Farm Horse Rescue of Lisbon, Md. Friday, Aug. 13, was ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Hurricane Jeanne Smashes Florida—Horses Relatively Unaffected  *
Hurricane preparation, toleration, and clean-up--take four. Horse owners and veterinarians in Florida weathered Category 3 Hurricane Jeanne beginning late Saturday, their fourth natural disaster in six weeks. Veterinarians and animal rescue officials that are weary from the back-to-back hurricane visits (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) report that ... Read full story
 9/27/2004
Louisiana Publication Collecting Information for Disaster Database  *
The Louisiana Horseman's Guide (LAHG) has joined efforts with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health Studies, State Veterinarian’s Office, in compiling information for a new disaster information database specifically for horse owners. In the event of hurricanes or other natural disasters, the data will be used ... Read full story
 9/24/2004
Assessing Ivan's Damage  *
Hurricane Ivan made furious landfall near Gulf Shores, Ala., early yesterday, tearing into the landscape with winds of up to130 mph, causing coastal storm surge flooding, and spurring tornadoes in several southeastern states. As of Friday morning, little is known about how horses fared in the hurricane. The opinion of many is that horse owners were ... Read full story
 9/17/2004
Florida Veterinarians Battle Hurricane Season with Help from the AAEP Foundation  *
With Florida veterinarians and horse owners anticipating the arrival of Hurricane Ivan and still struggling with power outages caused by hurricanes Charley and Frances, the American Association of Equine Practitioners'(AAEP) Foundation has donated $3,000 to help supply area veterinarians with satellite telephones. Satellite phone capability will ensure ... Read full story
 9/15/2004
Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness for Horse Owners  *
Editor's Note: This information was provided to The Horse by the Louisiana Horseman's Guide--this is information that has been compiled for Louisiana horse owners. Find more information on hurricane and disaster preparation at www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=4587. The time to prepare for a hurricane is well before you need to move out of its ... Read full story
 9/15/2004
Horse Owners Brace for Ivan; How You Can Help  *
After being pummeled by Hurricanes Charley and Frances, areas in the southeastern United States are bracing themselves for the arrival of Hurricane Ivan, which is scheduled to make landfall shortly. The Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association and the Louisiana Horseman's Guide have asked that if you have stalls or facilities available to house evacuated ... Read full story
 9/15/2004
Health and Human Services Personnel Ready to Assist Florida Families  *
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that HHS emergency medical personnel are prepared to provide assistance to families and communities in Hurricane Frances' path. Secretary Thompson also directed the Department to make all necessary emergency response resources available to states, ... Read full story
 9/3/2004
Hurricane Charley Update; How You Can Help  *
Things are settling down for the animals in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, said Alan Schwartz of Days End Farm Horse Rescue of Lisbon, Md., on Aug. 23. "We treated a couple of horses, a bull, some pigs and goats, mostly for puncture or debris wounds," said Schwartz. "A large animal vet we've worked with said he's seen a few colics lately." ... Read full story
 8/24/2004
Horses Lost In Hurricane Charley  *
Three horses were euthanized in Florida due to injuries sustained from flying debris during Hurricane Charley, according to Alan Schwartz of Days End Farm Horse Rescue of Lisbon, Md. Friday, Aug. 13, was in fact a bad luck day, as winds up to 145 miles per hour ripped across Florida. Code 3 Associates, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), ... Read full story
 8/20/2004
To the Rescue  *
Eight years ago a horse died during the shift of Capt. John Fox of the Felton, Calif., Fire Protection District. The horse had fallen into a crevice on a trail ride, and none of the emergency responders had the training to get it out. Fox, a firefighter and longtime horse owner, was distraught. In response, he and his wife, Debra, a firefighter/paramedic, ... Read full story
 7/2/2004
Equine Emergency Demonstrations and Training Offered  *
Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Associates (HDM) veterinary hospital will be offering equine emergency demonstrations to the general public on Aug.14, 2004 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. A more extensive three-day training course on Aug. 9-11 (designed for those who would like to become certified in equine emergency response) is full, but auditors ... Read full story
 6/23/2004
McBeth Foundation Issues a Challenge to UC Davis Research and Disaster Response Donors  *
For the past several years, the McBeth Foundation of Laguna Beach, California, has provided generous financial support to the Animal Rescue and Disaster Medicine Endowment at the University of California, Davis, Center for Equine Health (CEH). This endowment provides continued long-term funding for disaster response and animal rescue activities, as ... Read full story
 4/16/2004
Technical Equine Rescue   *
In today's world, a natural or man-made disaster can strike at any time. The only defense we have is preparation. Unfortunately, many animals are dragged, stranded, drowned, or dropped during attempted rescues by untrained personnel. Rescuers often get hurt, and the animals might be more injured by the rescue than they were during the accident. Rescuing ... Read full story
 4/1/2004
Maryland Farm Devastated By Fire Begins Rebuilding Process  *
Only three days after their barn was completely destroyed by fire, taking with it the lives of 25 horses, Bob and Debby LaPorta of Summerwind Farm in Damascus, Md., are in the process of rebuilding their barn and their business. The barn, which housed 22 horses that belonged to clients and three that belonged to the LaPortas, caught fire on Sunday, ... Read full story
 2/26/2004
Colorado Fires Cause Evacuation   *
Equine evacuation plans were put to the test in Colorado when the Overland Fire in canyons northwest of Boulder grew so quickly that within just a few hours, 3,500 acres were engulfed and indefensible. The fire started early on Oct. 29 near Jamestown, Colo., and spread east. By Oct. 30, wet weather and crews had extinguished the fire. Officials from ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
Equine Emergency Rescue Techniques  *
You might have seen it on television—those daring rescues where a horse is lifted from a ravine by helicopter, pulled out of a raging river, or returned to safe ground after being bogged down in mud. These rescues might awe television audiences, but how do emergency personnel know what to do? In three separate seminars sponsored by Hagyard-Davidson-McGee ... Read full story
 12/9/2003
Calif. Fire Photos Help Rescuers  *
During the recent fires in California, horse owner and full-time wildlife photographer Frank Hendriks ventured into the hills to chronicle the fears and victories of the area’s horses and horse owners. Below you will see a collection of his San Diego Firestorm images. Hendriks, who has been a professional nature and wildlife photographer for 16 years, ... Read full story
 12/2/2003
Colorado Fires Cause Evacuations  *
Equine evacuation plans were put to the test in Colorado when the Overland Fire in canyons northwest of Boulder grew so quickly that within just a few hours, 3,500 acres were engulfed and indefensible. The fire started on the morning of Oct. 29 in James Canyon near Jamestown, Colo., and spread east. On Oct. 30, crews were able to create a fire line ... Read full story
 11/19/2003
Aftermath of the California Fires--Deaths and Injuries  *
Yankee, a 30-year-old bay gelding, is one fortunate survivor of the rampant California wildfires that have plagued the San Diego and San Bernardino areas, and other parts of the state, since late October. Owner Carol Prida's home in Wildcat Canyon burned and fell on his stall Oct. 26, before he could be evacuated. Everything plastic in Yankee's stall ... Read full story
 11/4/2003
Fires Cause Equine Evacuations  *
The raging California wildfires that have killed 20 people, destroyed about 3,400 homes, and blackened approximately 552,713 acres, also had a profound effect on the equine population. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of horses were evacuated from the fire's path, by owners with their own trailers, volunteers who rushed in from as far away as Los Angeles ... Read full story
 11/4/2003
Horses Weather Hurricane Isabel   *
Hurricane Isabel hit the North Carolina and Virginia coasts with fury on Sept. 18. At its peak over the Atlantic, Isabel was a Category 5 hurricane (winds greater than 155 mph), sending coastal horse owners scrambling for safe shelter for themselves and their animals. When the storm hit land, it had faded to a Category 2 hurricane (winds from 96-110 ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
spcaLA Needs Your Support To Help The Animals During Southland Fires   *
As fires continue to ravage the Southern California Region, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles' (spcaLA) resources are stretched from the high demand. From the Mexican border up to Ventura County thousands of residents and their animals are fleeing to safety. Currently, spcaLA's Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), ... Read full story
 10/31/2003
Facilities Take in Horses as California Wildfires Rage  *
Despite the nine massive wildfires that have charred nearly 500,000 acres and continue to burn in Southern California, only one Thoroughbred farm was reported to have suffered any damage, and it was considered minor, according to Dawn Gerber of the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. At Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona, which is closest to ... Read full story
 10/28/2003
Maryland Safely Sails Through Isabel  *
Maryland horses fared well during Hurricane Isabel's sweep across the state Sept. 18-19 and in the aftermath. Rob Burk, executive director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board in Annapolis, Md., believes that due to advance warning and education on disaster planning, Maryland horse owners were well prepared for the arrival of the storm, which ended ... Read full story
 9/29/2003
Isabel's Impact on North Carolina Horses  *
Hurricane Isabel announced her landfall by hammering coastal North Carolina on Sept. 18. Some of the storm's worst damage was seen in that state. However, due to meticulous disaster planning, most North Carolina horses were out of harm's way before the storm hit. Jodi Jackson, executive director of the State Animal Response Team (SART), said, "I'm ... Read full story
 9/29/2003
Horses Displaced as Fires Rage in British Columbia  *
Rain, cooler temperatures, and tenacious firefighters are finally extinguishing many of the fires that have burned in British Columbia, Canada, for the last six weeks. Owners of one Thoroughbred farm are rebuilding after flames took two barns, while two others are rejoicing after a close call. Lightning ignited the first major fire near Kamloops on ... Read full story
 9/16/2003
I Never Thought it Would Happen to Me...   *
"Tornadoes Rip Through the Midwest," "West Nile Races Across the U.S.," "Ice Storm Paralyzes Central Kentucky," "Drought, Wildfires Scorch Western States," "Chemical Spill Forces Evacuation." News headlines trumpeting natural and man-made disasters have filled the front pages of newspapers at an exceptional rate in 2003, and disaster planning has ... Read full story
 9/1/2003
Large Animal Rescue Video Deemed a Success  *
An organization has sought to remedy the problem of large animals being dragged, strangled, drowned, or dropped during attempted rescues due to improper training of emergency responders for lage animal rescues.. USRider has produced a video to increase awareness of the need for correct rescue training and has made it available free to the public. USRider, ... Read full story
 8/25/2003
West Nile Virus Antibody Product Receives Conditional License  *
The USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a conditional license to Novartis Animal Vaccines, Inc., for the manufacture and distribution of West Nile Virus Antibody, Equine Origin, for treatment of disease caused by West Nile virus (WNV). Typically, antibody products are very specific and mimic the activity of naturally occurring ... Read full story
 8/19/2003
Free Equine Rescue Seminar  *
What would you do if your horse got stuck in the mud around the pond or at a river crossing? What if he were trapped in an overturned trailer? Those are just two of the scenarios that will be addressed in free equine rescue seminars sponsored by Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Associates at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., on Oct. 23 and 26. Courtesy ... Read full story
 8/6/2003
Horseowners' Seminar to Address Disaster Preparedness  *
Even horses are not immune to the changes since September 11, 2001. Florida Equine Veterinary Services prepares to address disaster preparedness in its upcoming Equine Emergency Care Seminar in Orlando in September. "We don’t know when to expect an emergency, but we can plan for one," said Dr. Erin Denney-Jones, president of Florida Equine Veterinary ... Read full story
 7/23/2003
Horses Injured in Tornado Receive First Aid; Other Necessities Needed   *
In the wake of the May 4 tornado that destroyed homes, buildings and lives in the Marionville, Mo. area, many horses were left wounded and without the necessities for survival. Several horses were killed or had to be euthanized due to injuries sustained when one of the worst tornadoes in Missouri history ripped through the state. The horses that survived ... Read full story
 5/12/2003
Kentucky Ag Commissioner Issues Agro-Terrorism Statement  *
As the United States fights a war in Iraq and a larger war against terrorism, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith has called upon farmers and farm businesses to do their part to secure the nation's food supply."Since Sept. 11, 2001, agro-terrorism--malicious and intentional acts intended to disrupt our food supply--has become a new word ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Kester News Hour  *
Probably the best-attended session of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention, the Kester News Hour provides brief reports of studies that were too new or too brief to be included in the longer scientific sessions. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the president-elect of the AAEP and a surgeon at the Rood and Riddle ... Read full story
 2/3/2003
AAEP 2002: Equine Emergency Rescue  *
Many of us have seen the daring and exciting rescues of horses shown on television--such as rescuing a horse hanging from a bridge, or one trapped in a river. Then there’s the famous scene of a horse being carried away by helicopter. However, many of these rescues cause further injury or death of the horse, according to Tomas Gimenez, Dr.Med.Vet, of ... Read full story
 1/9/2003
Second Horse Perishes in Sinkhole  *
Despite rescuers’ desperate efforts, the second of two horses trapped after their barn was engulfed in a sinkhole died Nov. 15. According an Associated Press report, the sinkhole in Sanford, Fla. was 50 feet wide and 30 feet deep. The barn’s owner, Bob Bonwit, came home Thursday evening, Nov. 14 and discovered the sinkhole had engulfed his barn, and ... Read full story
 11/20/2002
Fire Relief in Arizona and Colorado   *
Hundreds of horses have been displaced by wildfires that spread across Colorado and Arizona throughout June. Various members of the horse industry have offered support through their time and donations. At press time, an estimated 320 horses remained at two Colorado facilities housing horses in the Latigo, Cripple Creek, and Durango areas. Some owners ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
American Humane Association Aids Animals in Minnesota  *
The American Humane Association has donated $2,000 to provide an emergency food supply for 30 horses and 1,100 head of livestock affected by the flooding in Minnesota. Combined with a matching donation by the Humane Society of the United States, the donation should cover the immediate needs of the area. The donation was requested through the Minnesota ... Read full story
 7/19/2002
Fire at The Thoroughbred Center Kills Two Horses  *
A barn fire late Monday night killed two horses at The Thoroughbred Center near Lexington, KY. The fire, which was contained to two stalls of a 20-stall barn adjacent to the training track, is suspected to have started near an electric fan being used to cool one of the horses.Jim Pendergest, general manager of The Thoroughbred Center, said an additional ... Read full story
 7/10/2002
Groups Join Together to Help Fire Victims  *
Colorado and Arizona are experiencing the worst wildfires in their histories--thousands of people and horses have been evacuated from their farms. Farnam Companies responded last Friday to an urgent call for 800-900 bales of hay that were needed by the next day at two sites housing relocated horses. The company is working with relief organizers to ... Read full story
 6/27/2002
Help Victims of the Colorado Fires  *
In the past two days, about 1,000 animals have been evacuated because of the Hayman Fire in Colorado, according to Denver's Channel 9 News online. To learn more about how to help horses and families displaced by the fire, visit: http://www.9news.com/storyfull.aspx?id=3669 or http://www.co.blm.gov/fire/firehelp.htm. ... Read full story
 6/12/2002
Fires  *
Drought and wildfires that laid waste to millions of acres were twin scourges of the West this past summer. The drought came first, leaving forests and rangelands tinder dry. Then came lightning strikes and careless acts by humans that resulted in devastating fires. By the time snow covered the high country, some 6.5 millions of acres of land had been ... Read full story
 11/2/2001
Texas Prepares for Foot and Mouth   *
What would happen if foot and mouth disease (FMD) ran rampant in the United States? If it happened, it likely would be in Texas, which has the highest density of cattle in the United States. Texas regulatory veterinarians and agency representatives recently set out to learn if the state's emergency response system could eradicate FMD (or other foreign ... Read full story
 9/1/2001
Getting A Lift--Slings for Horses  *
Your horse has fallen down a hill on a mountainous trail ride and there is no way to lead him to safety. Or perhaps your urban horse escaped and now is trapped in an abandoned swimming pool and you can't get him out. What do you do? There was a flood and the levee broke--now your poor horse is standing belly-deep in water with no chance of escape. ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
June Declared Disaster Preparedness Month  *
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has declared June National Disaster Preparedness Month for Animals. HSUS is launching programs to educate America on the need and the details for disaster preparedness for horses. These developments result from a historic agreement signed by the HSUS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
Planning to Save Horses  *
Titanic-sized calamity, or annoyance that mushrooms into a catastrophe? Either can endanger your horse. Realize that your horses are vulnerable to all manners of natural disasters, and there is no perfectly safe place. A disaster can occur anywhere, and everyone lives under some type of threat. In a disaster, you can lose the resources that keep ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
Humane Society Urges Flood Preparation For Animal Owners  *
As different areas of the country prepare for spring floods, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) urges pet owners and farmers to be prepared. "Many people mistakenly leave their companion animals behind when they evacuate during an emergency, thinking their pets' instincts will prevent them from being harmed," says David Pauli, director ... Read full story
 4/13/2001
When Lightning Strikes  *
If you think lightning never strikes twice in the same place, think again. The USDA's recently retired Chief Meteorologist Albert Peterlin says, "Lightning is not just a random event natural killer, but more an opportunist taking advantage of a preferred pathway. Where lightning has struck a tree in the past, it will likely hit again. An area of pasture ... Read full story
 4/1/2001
HSUS and FEMA Sign Historic Agreement  *
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in December signed an historic agreement through FEMA's Project Impact to assist communities and individuals to include animals in their disaster and evacuation plans. This initiative will include horses as well as pets and livestock. While horses have ... Read full story
 2/16/2001
American Horse Council: Preparedness Is Key To Fighting Disease Surprises  *
What would you do in the event of an equine disease outbreak in your state, region, or own farm? The American Horse Council (AHC) is promoting horse owners taking preventative measures. "It's like flying an airplane," said Marvin Beeman, DVM, chairman of the American Horse Council Health and Regulatory Committee. "You can have hours of routine flying, ... Read full story
 11/1/2000
MSPCA Prevention, And More  *
One goal of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is to rescue, rehabilitate, and find homes for all animals in need. The group also is in the business of educating owners, and they specifically are working to train horse people around the country to handle emergency situations at competitive events, transport down ... Read full story
 8/1/2000
N.M. Fire Rescues  *
The Los Alamos, N.M., wildfire that blazed during most of May not only ravaged the homes of residents, but also affected the lives of many horses. The fire, which was deliberately set May 4 by the U.S. Park service, grew out of control and forced the evacuation of about 20,000 people from Los Alamos. The fire was expected to be contained by May 24, ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
When My Horse is in a Fire...  *
While a barn fire is uncommon, there is nothing more devastating-with more complicated consequences-than a horse's becoming a burn victim. But it does happen. The first steps when confronted with a barn fire are obvious-remove the animal from the structure if possible. Once the horse is away from imminent danger, call your veterinarian. He or she can ... Read full story
 1/1/2000
American Humane Association Animal Rescue Efforts Continue In North Carolina  *
Over 200 Animals Rescued So Far The American Humane Association (AHA), along with Animal Planet Rescue--an 82-foot disaster relief vehicle--is continuing its efforts to help animals caught in the North Carolina flooding. Rescue teams based out of Kinston, N.C., have worked day and night to rescue over 200 animals, including dogs, cats, cows, pigs, ... Read full story
 9/24/1999
Over 250,000 Animals Face Death In Aftermath of Hurricane Floyd  *
IFAW Assists Animal Relief Efforts In Flood-Hit North Carolina Hurricane Floyd has left a destructive trail of disaster and death in the hard-hit areas of eastern North Carolina, flooding thousands of acres and threatening the lives of over a quarter million livestock, companion animals and wildlife. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (http://www.ifaw.org)--the ... Read full story
 9/24/1999
Summer Drought Affects Retirement Home For Horses   *
Ryerss Farm, a home for retired horses, is feeling the affects of this summer's drought that is affecting much of the United States. According to farm manager Tim Blevins, 70% of their feed and cash crops are ruined. “If you look here, all we have is a desert. There's no grass at all. It's devastating. It's really worse than I've ever seen.” According ... Read full story
 8/20/1999
Disaster Planning  *
“Disasters do not create new conditions; they simply exacerbate existing ones.” Wait a minute! Disasters don’t create new conditions? Horses trapped in flood waters, in fires, in wind-damaged barns are not new conditions? Horses wandering free in fenceless areas are the norm? Lacerations from flying debris. Evacuation orders. No water or electricity ... Read full story
 6/1/1999
Update On Horses Injured From Oklahoma Tornadoes   *
Upon returning from Oklahoma after seeing the destruction from the tornadoes that swept through the area on May 3, Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), a part of the United Animal Nations (www.uan.org), Director Terri Crisp reported that many of the 25 horses injured at Tinker Air Force Base when the tornadoes smashed through their barns are still ... Read full story
 5/28/1999
Wildfires: Are You Prepared -- The Recommendations Of The Red Cross   *
More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings - in or near forests, rural areas or remote sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - before wildfire ... Read full story
 4/30/1999
USDA To Test Animal Health Emergency Management System   *
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will conduct a test exercise this fiscal year of its Regional Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Organization (READEO) system. "If an exotic disease such as hog cholera or highly pathogenic avian influenza were to breach U.S. borders, our READEO teams would be called ... Read full story
 10/16/1998
HSUS Offers Tips For Helping Animals During Flooding Conditions   *
As Hurricane Georges brings heavy rain to Florida, Alabama and Louisiana, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization, reminds anyone in potential flood situations that any animal can be affected by high waters, including pets, farm animals and wildlife. The HSUS offers these basic tips for people ... Read full story
 10/2/1998
Equine Respiratory Disease Part 2: The Lower Airway  *
The lower airway consists of the lungs and the air tubing (bronchi) that supplies them. The lungs have some very interesting and unique protective mechanisms that put forth a great effort to prevent infection. Obviously, the air we breathe is not sterile and contains many contaminants such as dirt, dust, pollen, chemicals, and particles of a million ... Read full story
 8/1/1998
Five Horses Killed In Central Kentucky Fire   *
"It was the worst thing I've ever seen, and I hope I never have to see anything like it again," said Jane Lyon on Jan. 14, just hours after an early-morning fire destroyed a barn and killed five horses on the Central Kentucky farm that she operates with her husband, Frank. "The barn is a structure, and I really don't care very much about things," ... Read full story
 1/16/1998




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