During times of natural disaster, it always comes to my mind how important it is that horses in our care can depend on us to have a solid plan in place to keep them safe and give them the care they need.
The domestic horse requires human care, just as cats and dogs do. While there are some multi-generational herds of horses in the world that live in a wild setting and are unowned, ONCE A HORSE is owned by you, you have taken on an animal you carry an obligation to care for, and it would be the same if you decide to purchase a Bob Cat kitten raised in capitivty and sold as a pet (though, please don’t. Leave actual wilflife Wild). Feral horses, meaning horses from domestic stock born and left unhandled in any setting, are still domestic horses who require the same care, they just need training to be able to safely receive it.
We should be able to provide what our animals need in an emergency situations and in natural disasters. It also means doing what they need if they become injured or sick.
When we take on the responsiblity and ownership of an animal, unlike the birds, foxes, deer and so forth that may roam the pastures where we live, we ought to be sure that when our animal needs something to live a healthy, pain free life, we can provide that. We should be able to offer that safely and humanely without unfair trauma, stress or danger to animal and caregiver (whether it is a vet, farrier or handler).
I heard a story earlier this year. It was from a vet that had a horse she could not trailer safely. The horse would not load, and when fires broke out across the region, they had to leave the horse behind. The horse could have injured others in the trailer he was so frantic about hauling, but at any rate, he could not get on. In the end, the horse was found after the fires went through days later, but it begs the question of what is our obligation to the animals we own?
The time to work through handling, being able to receive vet care, being able to load or have feet handled isn’t during a crisis, either.
At any point, you can find yourself in a natural disaster or man made emergency, and anyone who has horses must know it is not rare for a horse to do any of the following: break a leg, gouge an eye out, colic, choke, have laminitic issues, contract serious viruses, get unexpected wounds that need stitching/wrapping, get hoof injures, have extreme dental issues with teeth growing through the roof of mouths/hooks through cheeks, and so forth. Horses routinely bring about situations where they need a professional to intervene, to save his life or humanely end it.
You have a legal and moral responsbility to make sure you can offer what your animal needs. And you also should to be sure you aren’t putting other human lives in a situation where injury is very likely, so if you know a horse is likely to hurt someone despite solid professional training attempts, that is something to consider. Is that good for the horse and the people who may need to work with it in an emergency situation?
If you have a horse that is dangerous to handle despite training attempts, unable to be caught and led safely, absolutely traumtized by humans/farrier care/ dental care/ touch or loading, you cannot provide what that animal needs and are actually causing harm, though sure, you dont mean to, do you?
Many horses arrive to us feral, but in a very timely way, these horses usually let their guard down, receive the care they need, become safe to handle for their own welfare needs to be met and for the safely of others who are caregivers or equine professional sevice providers.
If you have horses you’re leaving feral long term under the guise of, “He’s just living his life,” or are leaving horses that are too dangerous to handle for routine care just turned out and feel you’re doing what is best for the horse, the truth is, you are placing the horse and humans in an unfair, unkind and unsafe situation.
Part of being a caregiver to domestic animals is being sure their needs are met and being able to include them in a safety plan during a disaster, whether man made or an act of God. Best laid plans can go awry, and I know that well, but have a plan and be sure your horses are able to be safely caught, hauled and vetted. That is how you keep your horses safe. If a horse cannot, despite fair training attempts, become safe and able to receive care, humane euthansia is the kind choice. Don’t wait until something bad happens to make the right call.
If you need help with getting a horse evaluated, in training and on the path to becoming safe, we will always help give you guidance here.
