If you become incapacitated during an accident, you can make sure your horses will be taken care of by leaving information that will help direct emergency responders. You may also want to include the phone number of your equine insurance carrier if your horses are insured, for health coverage or loss. Place the information in a visible location.
To Emergency Responders
I/We, _______________________________own the animals in this trailer.
Address: _______________________________
Phone: H_______________________________
C_______________________________
Person(s) who has authority to make decisions on treatment for our animals:
Name:_______________________________
Address:_______________________________
Phone: H_______________________________
C_______________________________
Veterinarian(s):
Name:_______________________________
Phone: H_______________________________
C_______________________________
Pager_______________________________
If I/we are unable to make a decision regarding the well-being of our animals in an accident, we hereby authorize a veterinarian to determine the health status of our animals, provide any needed first-aid emergency health care, or administer a euthanizing agent if the veterinarian determines that an animal cannot be salvaged.
Signed,
_______________________________
This information is courtesy of Tomas Gimenez, DVM, professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and specialist in large-animal rescue.
For more on preparing for emergencies, click here.