Source: HorseChannel.com
Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina will experience the impacts of the hurricane through this weekend.
Hurricane Matthew has taken a devastating path through the Caribbean and is now bearing down on the coast of Florida. It is expected to move along the southeast United States coast through the weekend.
Residents of the areas of projected impact have been urged to evacuate. Here are some evacuation resources for horse owners in affected states:
Florida Resources:
A searchable database of relocation resources is available at evac.flahorse.com If you have space available in a safe location, you can also provide your information to help other horse owners.
Bar M Ranch Rescue has offered stabling and is compiling some evacuation resources on its Facebook page.
The Florida Horse Park in Ocala has offered stalls for evacuees for $10/night as well as trailer hookups for $25/night. Contact publicrelations@flhorsepark.com or call 352-307-6699
Floridahorse.com lists these resources on its website.
- Sunshine State Horse Council – Searchable stable directory
- Sumter Equestrian Center, Bushnell, FL – emergency stabling and camping – 352-303-4325 LEAVE A MESSAGE.
- Marion County Animal Care and Control (352) 671-8900
- Broward County Animal Care and Control (954) 359-1313
- Palm Beach County Are and Control (561) 233-1201
Georgia Resources:
News4Jax.com lists these pet-friendly shelters:
Houston County * Horses ONLY* 60 Stalls
Georgia National Fairgrounds
401 Larry Walker Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Sumter County
Sumter County Humane Society
108 Industrial Blvd
Americus, GA 31719
Tift County
Tift County Extension Bldg
1468 Carpenter Rd
Tifton, GA 31794
South Carolina Resources:
The Hippodrome in Aiken County has 300 stalls available. South Carolina residents can call 211 for more information about stabling at the Hippodrome, as well as finding pet-friendly accommodations as most shelters do not allow pets.
North Carolina Resources:
The Equine Disaster Response Alliance maintains a list of emergency facilities here.
There are two regional shelters available depending on the storm track.
Virginia Resources:
The Virginia Horse Park in Lexington is offering free stalls for evacuees if the storm reaches Virginia before moving out to see. Contact the stabling office at (540) 464-2966.
Be prepared for a natural disaster in your area. Visit HorseChannel.com/Emergency for more resources for horse owners.
Likewise, Elaine Nash on Facebook has a wealth of information: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.nash?fref=ts
Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse Health, Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Fleet of angels is mobilized on the rest coast to help evacuate horses. And HSUS has emergency rescue mobilized to help. I’ve been watching things on Elaine Nash FB site. They were very active in South Carolina last night. They have their map set up of volunteers to assist horses to safety and the good people of the east coast are offering their homes, barns and pastures for evacuees. This group is saving many that would otherwise not get out. They should be commended.
LikeLike
https://www.facebook.com/elaine.nash?fref=ts
LikeLike
There were also suggestions for identifying your horse like painting your info on hooves, braiding info into name or tail, shaving info into fur.
LikeLike
Florida horse owners moving horses to Ocala
http://www.wuft.org/news/2016/10/06/horse-owners-take-livestock-to-ocala-seeking-shelter-from-storm
LikeLike
This storm is huge over 600 miles wide. I live in Bradenton Florida. We were spared the wrath of this monster. Unfortunately nany were not.I have lived in Florida for 23 years. gave experienced many Hurricanes. This us one of the worst I have seen and powerful.
To evacuation methods, it is so important to have a plan. Thankyou for sharing this information to all. This nasty storm is packing a fierce blow to many parts of the country right now.
If it does a loop then we will experience more. This is a serious storm.
Remember when the barometric pressure drops it is a good idea to fix a bran mash and give to your horses, then you must do a mineral oil. For mini horses, ponies use half a container of mineral oil. Full size horses use a full bottle. Pour on their horse feed. This is important so they will keep their guts from backing up and keep them regular. They must keep drinking water and will if you do this. Also make sure they have electrolytes too. You can purchase as a powder and add to their food too. In Florida it is very important and all across the country in heat prone areas.
LikeLike
What will happen to the wild horses on the east coast islands of Georgia and South Carolina and perhaps even further north?
LikeLike
GG, I have been wondering this as well, can’t find anything on it. I suspect the NPS will just leave them to the whims of the storm, but if the storm surge is as expected they will have no shelter or high ground at all.
LikeLike