Horse owners in bushfire areas urged to act now

With the catastrophic fire warning for New South Wales and Queensland, the AVA urges all horse owners in bushfire areas to act now to implement their disaster plan and move their horses to the safest possible area. It is imperative that you have a plan for your horses and that you act early.

Dr Sam Nugent, President of Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) urges all horse owners to find a secure area. If you cannot get your horses to a safe area then the ideal location is a large, well-grazed paddock or a series of smaller paddocks with the internal gates left open. For safety it is most important not to let your horses out on the roads as they will be in more danger from traffic and fire.

Dr Nugent said that, “it’s critical not to lock your horses in a stable, holding yard or similar environment, as they may panic and hurt themselves if confined. In addition, the EVA asks that you remove all gear from your horse as it could get caught on fences, melt or become very hot and cause serious burns, plus do not leave rugs on your horse."

The AVA urges all horse owners to act now and we hope that all remain safe in these unprecedented times.