Evacuation—lessons learned

By Michell Combs (edited & liberally applied dramatic effect added by Philip Combs)

A fire was threatening Carefree Farms. An image of my horse Kaan, standing head stretched and rigid in his stall from the commotion around him, appeared in my mind. I gripped the steering wheel tighter trying to push the truck to go faster. My internal voice advised, Time to evacuate . . .

The barn manager, Laura Borghesani, had already called and warned me of the possibility, but I didn’t think it would really happen. These things happen on TV, but it’s always happening out there to someone else; you’re just an observer. Until now.

Friends started texting, offering me a temporary stall for Kaan, but I thought I’d wait until I got there to assess the real threat and get back to them when I wasn’t driving.

As I drove up, fire crews and police were everywhere along with many spectators. Planes whooshed overhead and disappeared. The streets were closed, and the power was out. I got through to the barn as smoke from the fire burned my eyes. Someone yelled that the horses had already been evacuated but that Laura was still on site. Presuming Kaan was safe, I shifted my focus on grabbing his saddle and bridles from the tack room while weighing what other items were essential to take.

As I struggled to load the truck, Laura appeared through the smoke haze. “Kaan’s been taken over to Jewel Creek Ranch, north Cave Creek.” I had not heard of the place before. Laura already walked away, so I just finished loading, and looked up the location on my phone, needing assistance to track the place down, but breathing a little easier . . .

I imagined Kaan would be a little stressed and confused when I saw him, and he was. However, his bright eyes opened wide while my teared when I leaped into his stall and gave him a strong, long hug. He stood perfectly still and absorbed (or at least, tolerated) my tension. When I released my grasp and stepped out of his stall, I asked a few people what was going on and what I could do to help. In the meantime, I borrowed duct tape and put his and my name and number on the stall.

By the time I left, Kaan was tossing his head around and letting me know he wanted to go back home. I got home late and was too exhausted for dinner or even a glass of wine.

Early the next morning, I picked up my horse trailer and headed to Kaan in hopes of getting the OK to take him back to Carefree Farms. Laura was meeting with the local sheriff. The horses were quiet, enjoying breakfast and eager to have the carrots I had brought. My horse was quite confused as to why I’d give such precious treats to the other horses. Then Laura gave me the OK to bring Kaan home. In my efforts to be helpful, I loaded up another pony, and then Kaan (thanks to my friend who stood patiently with me and closed the trailer door). As I was en route to the farm, Laura called me. Apparently I was transporting a pony that didn’t belong at Carefree Farms—are you kidding . . . I got to the farm, in a total fit that I stole a pony, and was reassured that all would be fine.

Kaan at least was so happy to be home . . .

Things I learned:
· Make sure your facility has an evacuation plan (superstar Laura & team)
· Don’t postpone working with your horse on trailer loading (note to self)
· Try not to put pressure on or over text the barn manager, perhaps give her a hug (she’s probably on overdrive)
· Have things in your vehicle that can identify you and your horse (I had to borrow duct tape)
· Have your horse name and your phone number on the fly mask and/or halter
· Just because you didn’t find anything on your Google search doesn’t mean that there isn’t a crisis
· Be thankful for all the friends you have who are trying to help you
· Be gracious to everyone, and especially the host facility (Thank you, Jenna Woodruff)
· Keep a checklist handy with your horse’s necessities (special wraps, ointments or supplements, etc.) because under stress you will likely forget something
· Be sure to have your trailer tires checked before fire season and check the trailer inside and out (I found a wasp nest in mine!)

A friend of mine, and fellow USEF rated judge, in California, Nicole Chastain Price, who had to evacuate seven times already, said this: “The most important advice in fire season—don’t panic. Have a plan. Make sure your horses are TRAINED TO LOAD! I sent horses who knew each other together and to places I knew they would be in stalls and safe. The chaos of evacuating happens when you let horses get taken by just anyone and have no control of the pen, hay, etc. I’ve seen so many horses get hurt through chaotic evacuations that I’ve always vowed it would never happen here.”

Her expert advice is this:
1) Have a plan where you will take horses in both directions so you can be sure to be moving away and not into the path of the fire
2) Make sure all halters are labeled with tag, owner number and name, and that all stalls, pastures have them on the doors
3) Have wax crayon if you need to write on horse
4) Have someone taking all info on what trailer took what horse and their contact info
5) Make sure horses are loaded in appropriate trailers—for us this meant we needed all WB sized rigs
6) Make sure someone is in charge at receiving end to settle horses and make sure they get correct feed
7) We had the foresight and time to boot all horses appropriately before putting on trailers
8) Have a plan for moving tack. We had owners with trailers on site as soon as we heard fire and had so many volunteers show up with trailers we could have evacuated two tack rooms. We chose not to as firefighters thought our barns were secure by that time. I make all of my client’s keep smaller essentials inside a carrying case with wheels and handle, so my tack rooms are super organized and can be cleared quickly