FOUR WEEKS BEFORE LEAVING: Take care of all routine vet and farrier visits to catch any potentials problems-in-the-making, to avoid emergencies while you are gone.
Arrange for us to visit. Have a single large instructions sheet we can review. We will take one copy. Leave one copy on the wall in the food-prep area. Match the feed substance name to the one on the label so there’s no confusion.
Necessary contact information:
Number where you can be reached and any alternate number.
Name and number of vet plus after-hours number and a second vet just in case.
Name and number of farrier.
Equine insurance company name and number (if applicable).
Name of emergency contact near-by who knows horses.
Be sure to have all medications and supplies, such as gauze pads, needles, syringes, etc. stored in one location, such as in a metal lunchbox in the fridge. Include the location of the medications and supplies, plus detailed instructions on how and when to use them on the main instruction sheet described above.
Advise vet when you will be away and arrange for vet payments in case of emergency.
Provide vet with specific written instructions to be used in the event of an emergency and ask that this information be included prominently in the horse’s medical records. For example if you are adamantly against colic surgery, we as well as the vet needs to know that you agree to any medical treatment for the horse if he colic’s, but if surgery is required, the vet is authorized to euthanize the horse.
Make four copies of any major-medical insurance or mortality insurance information, including contact numbers in case an insurance provider needs to be contacted. One copy with us, one copy with you, one posted in the barn and one inside your home. That way one of us will always be able to contact the insurance provider in case of a crisis.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE LEAVING: Make sure trailer and towing vehicle are in tip top shape with filled gas tank, air in tires, tight nuts, secure hitch, clean floor mats, etc. Have keys where we can access them.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE LEAVING: Stock up on feed and have plenty of everything the horses need on hand – hay, grain, supplements, daily dewormer, etc. so we won’t have to buy more. Arrange everything in one place and make sure it’s clearly labeled.
Tip: Use stay-on waterproof labels. Apply labels on cans, not lids which may get switched. Any feed the horses don’t need should be removed to avoid confusion. Have an uncluttered work surface where we can prepare feed and supplements.
ONE WEEK BEFORE LEAVING: Call to let us know if there are any changes in instructions.
