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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Emergency Preparedness

Let's face it.  This state is a tinderbox.  We aren't in imminent danger, but we aren't going to feel safe until the snow flies.  The hall closet has become the emergency closet, stocked with prescription cat food, dog food and animal medications.  We can snatch and go.  While the CR102 fire burned, we hitched the trailer and packed it with water, hay and bedding.  We've decided to keep it hitched and packed throughout the summer.  We've practised loading with all the horses.


Walking onto the trailer on a lovely day is a far cry from loading in a tense situation, but we've tried to prepare.

Did you notice the blue box between the trailers?
It's a mounting block.

It's standing on it's side
so David can hop on Boomer
bareback!



But I digress.  Colorado is entering the monsoon season, so maybe we'll get some rain, and get that trailer unhitched!


25 comments:

Dreaming said...

You are so smart to be prepared, especially after reading Feral Woman's harrowing tale.
We used to have a Hurricane box in case we had to evacuate. But at least with a Hurricane, you have a larger window of time in which to load of and get out of town.

Oak Creek Ranch said...

It's good to be prepared. I'm not fan of summer between the heat and the fires, I'd much rather have cold weather.

GunDiva said...

We've been revamping our evac plans as well. If we're really lucky, we'll get a pre-evac notice. We have the trailer packed with everything we need except the horses. Here's hoping that we get lots of rain and soon (we got some sprinkles earlier this evening - every little bit counts).

Lori Skoog said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lori Skoog said...

I deleted the above comment as it was messed up. Anyway....I can't imagine the situation you are in with the fires around you. So glad you are prepared just in case. Let the rains begin.

Cindi said...

sending prayers for the rain, Boomer looks great ..so smart to stay prepared...(((hugs)))

Alison said...

Hey, a little loading practice never hurt anybody, eh? Here's hoping you don't need any of your emergency stash.

Love Dave's big smile on the back of that handsome horse. :)

Dreaming said...

I need to add how tickled I was at the mounting block!
Paj looks like a tough loader!

NeighGirl said...

Stay safe, I love boomer btw.
Neighgirl

Kate said...

I am so happy you guys have a plan! And a means to get out of there!! So many farms wing it and then are caught in a jam. I truly hope it starts raining there soon.

Rising Rainbow said...

I hope the weather changes so you can relax. I shudder each day I see the weather across the country and all this heat and see fire locations. I'm glad you are prepared but hope you never have to utilize those plans. What a nightmare, just the worry of it, let alone the souls living it.

Inger said...

It's great to be prepared. I have packed my insulin pump supplies and other stuff I will need if I have to get out in a hurry. When I lived here alone, I always worried I would forget my bird if there was a fire, so I had this big note to not forget him. But he's gone now and with only two dogs and most importantly with my hubby here, I feel so much safer than I used to. Feral Woman's pictures were horrendous and represent all of our greatest fears, I think. For those of us who live in fire country.

Texan said...

Good to be prepared but I so hope you don't have to follow through with all this. Be safe girly.

Ruth said...

Its always good to be prepared.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Praying for rain. For everyone. Hope you don't need to evacuate, but glad you are able to. The mounting block is excellent! I would never have thought to do that.

jenj said...

Last year, with the fires in central Texas, we were also packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. It is SUPER scary to see the fires all around you and know that you might have to leave. Good for you to have an emergency plan and everything set to go.

If you don't have it, I would suggest getting some spray paint. If for whatever reason you must be separated from your horses, spray your phone number on them. A bunch of people did this for the Texas fires, and it was much easier to reunite horses with their owners.

Fingers crossed that all your preparations won't be needed!

Carly said...

great idea to be prepared! West Virginia is SO hot right now. Hit 98 degrees today. We're supposed to get thunderstorms tomorrow (please please please rain!) I hope you get your rain too!!!

Dom said...

Good to be prepared. Stay safe out there.

Once Upon an Equine said...

I am impressed at how nicely Paj loads! I am also keeping my trailer hitched while we are so dry. But I have to take the truck to the body shop next week and hate to have it gone for a whole week. But there is quite a bit of rain in the forecast. You are wise to have an emergency closet. I need to get 72 hour kits together for all my critters.

Once Upon an Equine said...

Also...I love the clever use of the mounting block. Tee hee.

OnTheBit said...

I think it is great that you are prepared! I hope you won't need to use it ever though.

A random side note...remember when California had all those fire scares a few years ago? Well the state told people to write their cell phone numbers on their horses feet with permanent marker. That way if the fire moved very quickly and they horses had to be let loose or jumped out they could contact the owners. Hopefully you will never need to worry about it, but I thought it was a great idea since it will last until the horse gets their feet done.

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

An ounce of prevention...

Taking next weekend to do hurricane preparations here on the se coast. Much as I hate them, I'd take a storm over a fire any day.

Being in an perpetual state of waiting for a disaster is very very stressful - I feel for you and applaud your proactiveness... (proactivity maybe?)

Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone out west affected by or in the paths of wildfires.

allhorsestuff said...

Gosh Terry,
That's some preparedness. It's all you can be , plus prayerful!
I am for you all. That
you're drill is all it comes to .

sonia a. mascaro said...

I hope the weather changes and rain.
Love the video!

Thanks for the nice comment on my current post and the compliment to my daughter.

Jim said...

So smart and so necessary Terry.
A 'wave' back to you too!
Just look at how good Paj is, doing what's he's supposed to do!