Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it is particularly important for equines because of the animals’ size and their shelter and transportation needs. It is imperative that you are prepared to protect your equine, whether by evacuating or by sheltering in place.
As weather events are extremely fluid situations, double-check our opening status before leaving for our facility by contacting us or visiting the Escambia County Equestrian Center Facebook page for updates.
Stalls will be allocated on a first-come/first-served basis. Stalls may be reserved in advance with full payment only. No refunds will be given should stalls not be used.
CHECK-IN
Upon arrival at the facility, check in at the Equestrian Center Office and complete a
Check In/Registration Form. Be prepared to show a negative Coggins for each horse. Payment will be collected (cash or check) and your stall(s) will be assigned. Please do not dispute stall assignments. Tie-outs, ex-pens, and sheltering in horse trailers, covered arena, stock pens, or outdoors arenas are
NOT allowed under
any circumstances.
EQUINE CARE
Owners will be responsible for feeding and watering their horses prior to the storm. Bring ample water buckets and hay on hand. Please see
What to Bring list. Owners will also be responsible for stall cleaning during their horses stay, so please bring a manure pick and muck bucket. Staff will strip stalls once horses have vacated the stalls.
SAFETY / IDENTIFICATION
All equines must have a halter and lead rope that stays with them. Staff will only go in stalls/remove horses from stalls in an emergency situation. Should you not leave a halter on your horse, your horse should be marked for identification in the event it should get loose from stall. This can be done with paint, mane wraps or in another way.
PRIOR TO STORM'S LANDFALL
All owners will be required to leave the facility prior to the storm’s landfall. Owners must take everything with them except what is to be left in stall. Anything left in the aisleways will be disposed of. Once the winds subside to safe levels, Equestrian Center staff will check stalls and fill water buckets as needed.
VET CARE
In the case of a medical emergency, Equestrian Center staff will call the vet listed on the Check In/Registration Form to provided us. Owners are responsible for any charges incurred and should make prior arrangements with their vets. If no vet is listed or if vet refuses to come, the facility bears no liability for any damage to horse caused by lack of medical care.
AFTER THE EVENT
Horses must be removed no later than 72 hours after the emergency/storm has passed through. Horses that are not removed within 72 horses will either be turned over to animal control or the county livestock officer, and additional fees/fines may incur, or owners will be required to pay the normal stall rates.
FEES
Stall Fees (per stall) ***
- 1 Night: $17 + tax ($18.28)
- 2 Nights: $28 + tax ($30.10)
- 3 Nights: $39 + tax ($41.93)
- 4 Nights: $50 + tax ($53.75)
- Weekly Rate (5-7 Nights): $65 + tax ($69.88)
*** Stalls fee rates may be adjusted by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners during certain emergency events.
Shavings: $7/bag including tax (You are allowed to bring your own shavings.)
SHELTERING IN PLACE
If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made about whether to confine their equines and livestock to a barn/shelter or leave them out in pastures. Owners may believe that their animals are safer inside barns, but in many circumstances, confinement takes away the animals’ natural instincts and ability to protect themselves.
Your decision should be based on the type of disaster, the type of sheltering structure you have as well the condition of your pasture . It is recommended to keep your horse in the pasture (at least one acre) during the storm if there is good fencing, limited trees, no electric or barbed fencing, and no overhead power lines. Keep your horse out of barns that are not safe.
The University of Florida Large Animal Hospital's Hurricane Checklist For Florida Horse Owners has additional tips.