We have a very through prevention plan, and plans for almost any natural disaster that can possibly occur in Missouri.
Prevention
Fields: All pastures, fences, stalls, and other property is checked once a week to ensure it remains safe. Only half the fields are in use at once, and the unused ones are treated with a horse-safe pesticide.
Feed: Feed is kept in sealed, rodent proof containers. There are also numerous cats around to keep mice away. Hay is thoroughly cured before being stored in a shed, and is away from the barn to prevent the barn from catching on fire.
Stables: Telephones, first aid kits for both horses and humans, and fire extinguishers are in each tack room, the office, and at the end of each stable row. They are also located in the quarantine barn and mini barns, as well as in the feed shed. Aisles are 12 feet across, and textured to prevent horses from slipping. Horses are allowed to put their heads out of their stalls, but are not able to reach the other horses. Locks are horse-proof and child-proof. Horses are not able to access the feed, or any other harmful objects.
There is also a fence around the entire property and two gates at any entrances, as well as lightning rods on all buildings. We keep enough food and water for everyone, human and horse, to last for four days.
In case of natural disaster
Should a disaster happen, all personnel are to bring horses inside the barns as long as it is safe to do so. Horse halters have our name and phone number inside, with a back up phone number as well.
Tornado: The barns are supposed to be tornado proof, although luckily, we’ve never needed to test that.. There is a basement underneath the office to protect humans.
Flood: The main barn is built on a hill, out of reach of flood waters.
Severe thunderstorm: All buildings are protected by lightening rods. Barn walls are soundproofed.
Snowstorm: SLNS owns a small snowplow. In case of snowstorm, we possess the ability to dig ourselves out.
In case of fire
All personnel live on the grounds, and the barn is wired with a sprinkler system and fire detectors. If a fire occurs, alarms are activated in all the houses. We then will get out all the horses we possibly can. They are put in our emergency designated pastures, and a member of the crew marks down all the horses that are rescued and compares against our master list of all the horses in the barn. Backup copies of all records are kept in the main house and a safe deposit box in town.
After a disaster
All horses are checked to make sure they have no injuries. Any damages are repaired as quickly as possible. If needed, horses will be transported to other barns.